Mars 11/20/05

Hi all,
This is Mars in poor to average conditions. I am using a new focusing technique which seems to work a little better. I turn up the gain until the planet turns white and then
I'm looking to remove the moving ring effect around it. This seems to work better than the Hartmann mask.
Any tips on precise focusing would be welcome.

Thanks for looking,
Nick Gliatis

Attached Image:

"I turn up the gain until the planet turns white and then "

Now you have me curious. then...? Anyway, a nice image. Which TeleXtender are you using? I have an electric micro-focuser that eliminates any jiggles while focussing. I find it best to focus on the surface detail rather than the edge. In variable seeing, the edge will ghost a lot so that it may appear to be in focus, but after processing it will appear as the dreaded ring effect.

Peter