From: "mlbrown{at}everstrive.com" 
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "mlbrown{at}everstrive.com" 


Much depends on the viewing conditions at the time.  Mars is low in the
sky, so you are looking thru lots of atmosphere.  Your best bet is not to
think in terms of absolute viewing but by comparing your scope to others of
a similar diameter in the same place at the same time.  It would be
particularly useful to compare to scopes of known good quality.  Take your
Meade to a local star party.

Also note that smaller f-ratio scopes are more sensitive to alignment, and
this could easily explain loss of planetary resolution.  I'd learn how to
align my scope well before comparing with others.  I've made several folks
much happier with their scopes just by doing a quick alignment in the dark.

=Matt



-----------------
From: Byron Ader bader{at}hydroblendinc.com
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 08:51:10 -0600
To: atm{at}shore.net
Subject: ATM Mars



In talking to a local Astronomer in my Astronomical Society, I have found
out that my Meade is not performing where it needs to reveal planetary
detail on Mars.  At best I can see patches of gray in it's center.  I need
to collimate my scope, that is evident by star testing it.  I hope this
will allow me to see better detail on both Mars and Jupiter.  I have a
6" F5 Schmidt-Newtonian.  So, with this size and type of scope, should
I get crystal clear images of planets?



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