Mars will be one of the prime targets for many of us this year. It
will be larger than it had been for a while, nearly 25% larger than 2
years ago. However, it will be sitting relatively low in the
shouthern sky, this time around, so the seeing would have to be fairly
still to get a great view.
If you're new to observing the red planet, here's a suggestion. It
takes a little while to actually learn to see the fine detail on Mars.
The first two or three times I looked at the planet, it seemed to me
all I could see was a washed out light pinkish disk. However, if you
keep at it, you begin to see more and more of the fine detail.
Many books on the topic of Mars Observing suggest that people "train"
their eyes for mars by starting to observe it early, well before
opposition. With repeated sessions, especially if you try your hand
at sketching, you will eventually be able to notice many subtle
details that were not at all apprarent when you got your first glance.
At the end of the last opposition, two years ago, I managed to make
the following sketch in my logbook:
F
There's no way in the world that I would have seen this the first or
second time I looked. Training your eye for Mars will prepare you for
those 2 or 3 very steady special evenings that make the whole thing so
rewarding.
Another hint. Red coloured filters really help with seeing some of
the darker areas on the surface of Mars. However, if you wait too
long to purchase a plain red filter, I'm pretty sure Focus Scientific
and other suppliers will run out as they did last time. So... if you
really want to observe Mars, you might consider making the purchase of
a relatively inexpensive red filter soon, especially if you intend on
sketching the planet.
At a later time, I'll post a link to a site where you can download a
Mars viewing program that allows you to see &/or print a view of Mars
at a specific time. This really helps you to confirm or dispute your
own sketches -- and to verify what structure is real and what might
just be "averted imagination".
Holy Pythonic Photons!
Rol
