Kris,
Two excellent observations of the red planet showing a good amount of detail. The October 31st observation showing the Mare Erythraeum and Mare Acidalium regions and the November 15th one the Syrtis Major region. Thank you for sharing these with us all.
Wade- An excellent observation of Mars as well.
Carlos
Mars Observations 2007-08
Started by
Special Ed
, Oct 07 2007 09:51 PM
300 replies to this topic
#52
Kris.
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Posted 18 November 2007 - 06:58 AM
I had another opportunity tonight to observe the red planet and make two sketches 2,5 hours apart. i tried to use a little more colors in the sketches, because i'm not really pleased anymore with the grey color for the dark markings, so there's a bit more brown in these sketches. talking about colors, why is it the polar hood has lost it's blueish hue from some time back 
it was very obvious in september to half october for me?
the first sketch is not very detailed, seeing was not superb and mars was only 36° above the horizon at the time.
i could only use up to 200x power.
it was very obvious in september to half october for me?the first sketch is not very detailed, seeing was not superb and mars was only 36° above the horizon at the time.
i could only use up to 200x power.
#53
Kris.
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Posted 18 November 2007 - 07:22 AM
the second sketch looks a lot better, the air was much steadier, i could go up to 357x using a 7mm ortho 'barlowed' with a 2.5x powermate.
this has been the best view of mars i've got so far this year
it's my 16'th sketch of mars this year, only two less than in 2005 and the best is yet to come 
elysium was seen as a slightly brighter area bordered with a 'sharp' dark streak (phlegra?) to the east and a more diffuse darker smudge westwards.
the north polar hood appeared with a greyish border to me, and at the morning limb there was a (very) dark small triangle popping out of it. could that be nodus alcyonius? i looked that up with damian peaches' marsmap.
mare cimmerium & tyrrhenum were obvious, but i had difficulty seeing them divided, so i think hesperia is the lighter streak between them.
last i saw a bright area rotating on the disk at souther edge, what could that be? i don't think it could already be Hellas?
this has been the best view of mars i've got so far this year
it's my 16'th sketch of mars this year, only two less than in 2005 and the best is yet to come elysium was seen as a slightly brighter area bordered with a 'sharp' dark streak (phlegra?) to the east and a more diffuse darker smudge westwards.
the north polar hood appeared with a greyish border to me, and at the morning limb there was a (very) dark small triangle popping out of it. could that be nodus alcyonius? i looked that up with damian peaches' marsmap.
mare cimmerium & tyrrhenum were obvious, but i had difficulty seeing them divided, so i think hesperia is the lighter streak between them.
last i saw a bright area rotating on the disk at souther edge, what could that be? i don't think it could already be Hellas?
#54
frank5817
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ISS
Posted 18 November 2007 - 08:44 PM
Kris,
Excellent Mars sketches.
These are very well drawn. Hope my skies clear soon.
Frank
Excellent Mars sketches.
These are very well drawn. Hope my skies clear soon.Frank
#55
CarlosEH
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Cosmos
Posted 19 November 2007 - 06:31 AM
Kris,
Two outstanding observations of Mars showing a good amount of detail. You have recorded the color of the disk and albedo features nicely. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Carlos
Two outstanding observations of Mars showing a good amount of detail. You have recorded the color of the disk and albedo features nicely. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Carlos
#56
Kris.
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Posted 20 November 2007 - 12:25 PM
thanks guys, bad weather for a week over here again i took my chance this weekend.
can anybody tell me what i could have seen at about 1 o' clock on my latest sketch? i thought i saw a bright region close to the edge, i don't think it can be hellas, could it be a cloud or something?
now that i'm typing this, i just checked some images on the CMO site(18 november, richard bosman) with mars at 220° cm (not too far from my estimated 217° cm), and it does look like hellas is just looking around the corner. i also do think that it was one of the last things I added to my sketch... so perhaps it is possible it's hellas after all
i took my chance this weekend.can anybody tell me what i could have seen at about 1 o' clock on my latest sketch? i thought i saw a bright region close to the edge, i don't think it can be hellas, could it be a cloud or something?
now that i'm typing this, i just checked some images on the CMO site(18 november, richard bosman) with mars at 220° cm (not too far from my estimated 217° cm), and it does look like hellas is just looking around the corner. i also do think that it was one of the last things I added to my sketch... so perhaps it is possible it's hellas after all
#57
Tommy5
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Mercury-Atlas
Posted 20 November 2007 - 09:24 PM
Excellant sketches Kris,mars is getting closer but so are the gales of november,and solid overcast of dec.,thanks for keeping us posted on the mars scene.
#58
Sol Robbins
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Posted 20 November 2007 - 11:50 PM
Kris,
Your sketches keep getting better. Your eye for color is accurate.
I believe that Hellas is on the limb at the 2 o'clock position.
Thanks for posting your observations.
Your sketches keep getting better. Your eye for color is accurate.
I believe that Hellas is on the limb at the 2 o'clock position.
Thanks for posting your observations.
#59
Erix
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Toad Lily
Posted 21 November 2007 - 11:04 AM
Excellent observations and sketches, everyone!
Kris, superb sketches! I really am enjoying your color work. Do you do any blending? Is there a need to? I find my colored pencils very difficult to blend and just try to be careful with not showing too many actual pencil markings. I could use any tips you might have on it.
Sol, John Crilly's lent me a VP filter to use for now. Thanks for the tip!
Kris, superb sketches! I really am enjoying your color work. Do you do any blending? Is there a need to? I find my colored pencils very difficult to blend and just try to be careful with not showing too many actual pencil markings. I could use any tips you might have on it.
Sol, John Crilly's lent me a VP filter to use for now. Thanks for the tip!
#60
Kris.
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Posted 21 November 2007 - 12:03 PM
Tommy, Sol, Erika: thanks i'm looking forward to see your future mars sketches posted here.
Erika, i have the same problem as you, color pencils are difficult for blending so i'm also carefull not to put too much pressure on them. i try to do a bit of blending using a cotton, like a make-up remover cotton. that helps me a bit, you could try it too if you haven't already.
i don't do any post-scan processing with my sketches using a program, other than just lowering the sharpness and make the image a little more or less bright.
Erika, i have the same problem as you, color pencils are difficult for blending so i'm also carefull not to put too much pressure on them. i try to do a bit of blending using a cotton, like a make-up remover cotton. that helps me a bit, you could try it too if you haven't already.
i don't do any post-scan processing with my sketches using a program, other than just lowering the sharpness and make the image a little more or less bright.
#61
Sol Robbins
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Posted 21 November 2007 - 03:02 PM
Erika,
I hope it works well for you.
BTW, the Variable Filter I use is not a polarizing one.
I wrote a review of the first version of it.
Here's a link:
http://www.cloudynig...php?item_id=917
Best,
I hope it works well for you.
BTW, the Variable Filter I use is not a polarizing one.
I wrote a review of the first version of it.
Here's a link:
http://www.cloudynig...php?item_id=917
Best,
#62
kraterkid
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Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 21 November 2007 - 03:52 PM
Kris superb sketches, your color is just spot on!
#63
Sol Robbins
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Posted 24 November 2007 - 04:10 AM
I had a chance to observe Mars. Seeing was variable ranging from good to great.
Sketch was done with a 2H pencil with blending done with my fingers.
Some details are imbedded in the sketch.
Sketch was done with a 2H pencil with blending done with my fingers.
Some details are imbedded in the sketch.
Attached Thumbnails
#64
Kris.
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Posted 24 November 2007 - 10:14 AM
excellent sketch Sol, i'm most impressed about the details you can capture in the blank desserts of mars, i've got difficulty enough with the dark regions 
this has probably been asked before, but how long have you been observing & sketching planets?
this has probably been asked before, but how long have you been observing & sketching planets?
#65
Sol Robbins
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Posted 24 November 2007 - 12:02 PM
Thanks Kris,
Details in Martian desserts are more easily observed with the filter I use. I can't really see anything there in intergrated light as well as any Wratten color filter. This filter shows many different details at the same time and woks best when viewing Mars.
I think I've been sketching at the telescope for 3 or 4 years.
Thanks,
Details in Martian desserts are more easily observed with the filter I use. I can't really see anything there in intergrated light as well as any Wratten color filter. This filter shows many different details at the same time and woks best when viewing Mars.
I think I've been sketching at the telescope for 3 or 4 years.
Thanks,
#66
frank5817
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ISS
Posted 24 November 2007 - 12:26 PM
Sol,
This is a fantastic Mars sketch.
The details are incredible. 
Frank
This is a fantastic Mars sketch.
The details are incredible. Frank
#67
Sol Robbins
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Posted 24 November 2007 - 06:11 PM
Thanks Frank.
#68
kraterkid
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Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 24 November 2007 - 07:32 PM
Stunningly beautiful Sol, I can see why you made this one your avatar image! Truly a masterpiece of astronomical art.
#69
Sol Robbins
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Posted 24 November 2007 - 08:00 PM
Thanks Rich,
I change avatars pretty often. One thing I do like about the avatar is the image scale. It gives a much better "impression" of an eyepiece-like view.
It occurs to me that there is a bit of a change taking place in my sketches. One change is in regard to the paper I am using which is very smooth. It is from Office Depot, Super White Platinum Series. That's in concert with using just a 2H pencil.
Seems like I can get a range of gray tones that are pretty close to each other. These tones are evident in that last couple of Mars sketches which shows my newer ability to render details in light and dark albdeo features with more subtlety. This paper accepts and holds on to graphite in a very controllable way.
It holds up well to rubbing when working up details which helps a lot in allowing a wider range of lifting or erasing graphite quickly. Blends smoothly too. Gray tones can be worked up faster.
I guess all of the above just adds up to being able to have a perceivable/scanable depth or richness when working on computer print out paper with a simple pencil. Blending stumps work very well on this paper too.
Its a 20 lb paper and acid free.
I change avatars pretty often. One thing I do like about the avatar is the image scale. It gives a much better "impression" of an eyepiece-like view.
It occurs to me that there is a bit of a change taking place in my sketches. One change is in regard to the paper I am using which is very smooth. It is from Office Depot, Super White Platinum Series. That's in concert with using just a 2H pencil.
Seems like I can get a range of gray tones that are pretty close to each other. These tones are evident in that last couple of Mars sketches which shows my newer ability to render details in light and dark albdeo features with more subtlety. This paper accepts and holds on to graphite in a very controllable way.
It holds up well to rubbing when working up details which helps a lot in allowing a wider range of lifting or erasing graphite quickly. Blends smoothly too. Gray tones can be worked up faster.
I guess all of the above just adds up to being able to have a perceivable/scanable depth or richness when working on computer print out paper with a simple pencil. Blending stumps work very well on this paper too.
Its a 20 lb paper and acid free.
#70
rodelaet
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Gemini
Posted 25 November 2007 - 05:18 PM
Sol, I'm always amazed with your splendid sketches. This one is sooo great!
#71
Tommy5
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Mercury-Atlas
Posted 25 November 2007 - 09:31 PM
great sketch Sol, and thanks for the sketching tips.
#72
Sol Robbins
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Posted 26 November 2007 - 01:00 AM
Rony & T5,
Thanks!
Thanks!
#73
Special Ed
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Hubble
Posted 26 November 2007 - 09:58 PM
Hi Guys,
Between work demands, poor weather, and the Holmes Hubbub I've done no Mars observing except for online images and eyeballing the bright ruddy planet from time to time--it's gotten big and bright in the last few weeks!
Kris--you've made an excellent series of observations--keep up the good work.
Sol--your latest is a gem. Rendering the "fangs" of the Gomer Sinus is a tribute to your filter, optics, seeing, and most of all, your eye.
Between work demands, poor weather, and the Holmes Hubbub I've done no Mars observing except for online images and eyeballing the bright ruddy planet from time to time--it's gotten big and bright in the last few weeks!
Kris--you've made an excellent series of observations--keep up the good work.
Sol--your latest is a gem. Rendering the "fangs" of the Gomer Sinus is a tribute to your filter, optics, seeing, and most of all, your eye.
#74
rusirius6278
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Posted 27 November 2007 - 03:42 PM
great sketches of Mars, everyone...great to see others getting good views of Mars too...
went out to observe/sketch Mars...it was a cold 24* and mostly calm...atmospheric, etc., conditions combined for a morning of P 7-8...which is about as good as it gets around here and, as such, is a cause for celebration...imho, it provided me with my 1st truly good views of Mars this apparition.
used 159x-318x...176x provided the sharpest view...but the best overall view for detail/albedo features was 227x...so, this is the view sketched.
thus, the Vixen ED103SWT handled this and all powers used/available this session...318x was still sharp and a bit dim but still confirmed all details seen at lower powers.
the NPH really stood out again...the light blue color has returned to the NPH...it appears to cover most of it again...again, confirmed in many photos i saw a few hrs. later...
to my eye, the NPH border appeared much thinner...but still appears a very dark greyish/black...
light brown subtle details were seen in the upper N. Hemisphere...as shown in the sketch...
the white spots in the sketch represent brighter surface areas...while Syrtis Major, Hellas, and several albedo features in the region were clearly visible/seen...as also shown in the sketch...
these observations were made using a Vixen flip-mirror diagonal and no filters...the image is oriented as i saw it in the ep...Paint software was used to make this sketch.
Jim
OBSERVING DATA
Mars
11/26/07 11:45 UT
Vixen ED103SWT
227x; 159x-318x
Seeing: P 7-8
PLANETARY DATA
C Mer. 273.13
< Dia. 14.67"
Phase .9598
Mag. -1.18
went out to observe/sketch Mars...it was a cold 24* and mostly calm...atmospheric, etc., conditions combined for a morning of P 7-8...which is about as good as it gets around here and, as such, is a cause for celebration...imho, it provided me with my 1st truly good views of Mars this apparition.
used 159x-318x...176x provided the sharpest view...but the best overall view for detail/albedo features was 227x...so, this is the view sketched.
thus, the Vixen ED103SWT handled this and all powers used/available this session...318x was still sharp and a bit dim but still confirmed all details seen at lower powers.
the NPH really stood out again...the light blue color has returned to the NPH...it appears to cover most of it again...again, confirmed in many photos i saw a few hrs. later...
to my eye, the NPH border appeared much thinner...but still appears a very dark greyish/black...
light brown subtle details were seen in the upper N. Hemisphere...as shown in the sketch...
the white spots in the sketch represent brighter surface areas...while Syrtis Major, Hellas, and several albedo features in the region were clearly visible/seen...as also shown in the sketch...
these observations were made using a Vixen flip-mirror diagonal and no filters...the image is oriented as i saw it in the ep...Paint software was used to make this sketch.
Jim
OBSERVING DATA
Mars
11/26/07 11:45 UT
Vixen ED103SWT
227x; 159x-318x
Seeing: P 7-8
PLANETARY DATA
C Mer. 273.13
< Dia. 14.67"
Phase .9598
Mag. -1.18
Attached Thumbnails
#75
rusirius6278
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Posted 27 November 2007 - 03:52 PM
Happy B-Day, Michael...hope your situation improves so that you can start presenting reports/sketches of Mars again real soon.
Jim
Jim
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