From: "Russell Jocoy" 
To: bader{at}hydroblendinc.com, atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Russell Jocoy" 


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


("atm{at}shore.net")

   Remember, Mars is not an easy object to view.. Even though it is comming
close within our
view from earth, you will be looking through thick atmosphere.  If you live
in Peru, Mars will be
nearly overhead. , but I think that you will be looking at the Red planet
at a southerly location.
   Anyone living in the USA will be looking through thick atmosphere, but
the "flyby" of the Red planet
will be at maximum  brightness. Even if you have a 6" scope, get your
filters out, because the
brightness will overwhelm your detail. Just as looking at the full moon,
you will need filters to see
detail since Mars will be getting larger up until AUG> 27th. I will say
that your 6" scope wil be able
to see  the polar caps and other surface details as long as the dust storms
don't kick up before
it's "flyby"... Don't  get bummed out on one observation, try
again the next night or the next night.
"Seeing is a funny thing" you can see a blurry image at one
moment and "see" as clear as day
one minute later.  Remember to focus your scope on bright stars and then
focus on the planet.
Don't go too much from the star focus , and wait for that
"window".  Your view may look out of
focus for awhile but when that "window" comes by... WOW!!!...
Don't give up, your scope can
show you Mars as good as your eye can see... Remember that the atmosphere messes with
20" reflectors in the same way, it's just that they suck in more
light. And in this situation more light is
not needed, just more detail.         Russ  Jocoy
("atm{at}shore.net")

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