20 replies to this topic

[frank5817]

The view was enhanced by smoke and high thin clouds that visually blocked out all stars fainter than second magnitude. Mare Tyrrhenum Apygia, Syrtis Major,  Hellas, Mare Serpentis, Mare Sabaeus and the south polar cap dominated in the eyepiece view.

Sketching and Equipment:

Date and Time: August 04, 2020: 04:25 a m MST
Sketch using graphite and assorted color pencils, blending stumps, white Pearl eraser on white copy paper dark, background created using Gimp 2.8
Temperature: 33ᵒ C (91ᵒ F)
No filters used but skies filled with thin clouds and smoke from distant fires Transparency poor2/5, Seeing very good 4/5
Equipment Used: 16” f/4.41 Dobsonian on an equatorial platform 9mm, eyepiece and 2x barlow (398x)

 

Frank

 

[mikeDnight]

That's a superbly detailed sketch Frank, showing a wealth of detail. I'm looking forward to seeing how the detail develops as the planet increases in size and altitude. Thanks for posting!

 

Mike  

[Astrojensen]

Very nice! Very "classic" looking. 

 

Sadly, my seeing hasn't been good lately, so Mars has been very washed out. The details also seem to be lower contrast than previous oppositions, but I'm not sure whether this is just my memory messing with me or has others noticed something similar?

 

 

Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark

[niteskystargazer]

Frank,

 

Very nice Sketch of Mars (On August 3, 2020)  .

 

CS,KLU,

 

 ,

 

Tom

[chrisrnuttall]

Nice.
16" aperture in good seeing, what a treat.
Nice capture of Novus Mons detaching from the SPC.

[Aquarellia]

Always a pleasure to see your sketches Frank.

Michel

[Special Ed]

Classic view of Mars, Frank.   

[frank5817]

Mike, Thomas, Tom, Chris, Michel and Michael,

 

Thank you all for your kind comment on my Mars sketch from Monday early am.

It was an interesting night to see maybe a half dozen stars the Moon, the bright planets and that was all.

 

Frank

 

PS Thanks for the likes: ddegroot, Sky Hunter, Jef, David, Raul, Magellanico, steve t

[DDEV]

Hi Frank,

 

Despite the issues you had to contend with (cloud and smoke from fires), you've captured exquisite detail. The ice cap really stands out!

Very well done, and clear skies,

 

Darren.

Edited by DDEV, 05 August 2020 - 04:09 PM.

[Milosz G.]

great details! 
I will also try to sketch Mars when it is a little closer to the opposition and higher in the sky

[frank5817]

Darren and Milosz,

 

Thank you both. 

---

Darren -  smoke, high thin clouds and often some fog can act as a nice contrast filter as long as the atmosphere is not unsettled.

 

---

Milosz - I look forward to seeing your Mars sketches and hope you post them here. As we close in on  the distance between us and Mars the views will get much better

 

Frank

 

PS Thanks for the likes: Rutilus (Mike), Michael Rector and Alexander

[PXR-5]

Very nice Frank

[frank5817]

Jeff,

 

Thank you for that nice compliment.

 

Frank

[pedrovillamiel]

Good job Frank and I hope the fires stop soon.
A greeting.

 

Pedro Villamiel

[frank5817]

Pedro,

 

Thank you, there are fires still burning but the smoke is not here where I am for now.

 

Clear skies to you,

 

Frank

[Heidescoper]

hi all,

 

Frank:

You captured very interesting details in the polar cap !

16" with 398x with good seeing- what a dream...

Please more.

 

CS

Christian

[frank5817]

Christian,

 

Thank you for your kind words on my Mars sketch.

 

Frank

[Kris.]

Frank, that's a really great sketch with lots of detail in the ice cap and in and around Syrtis Major, probably your best view yet?

 

But 33°C at night? That's ridiculously hot?

[frank5817]

Kris,

 

Thank you.

It has reached 47 degrees C here in the late afternoon recently. As long as you are not standing in direct sunlight and don't touch any dark metal objects it is tolerable with 12% humidity. 33C at night can be worse when the humidity and dewpoint go up. That's the desert.

 

Frank:)

[santaritajim]

Very impressive, good color and contrast, nice and bright. The view through your scope must have very nice too. Thanx  for sharing.

[frank5817]

Jim,

 

Thanks for the nice words. You should be in a good astronomical location not far from the Whipple Observatory.

I have relatives just outside Green Valley.

 

Frank

 

PS Thanks for the additional likes