3 replies to this topic

[Rishabh Sagar]

Hi fellow astronomers,

 

I'm Rishabh Sagar, an amateur astronomer from India. I wanted to share an interesting journey of observation, learning, and surprise that took place on May 22, 2025, during a Mars imaging session.

 

 

🔭 Equipment Used:

 

Telescope: 130mm f/5 Newtonian Reflector (Helix 130650)

Eyepiece: TMB Planetary 4mm

Location: New Delhi, India

Time: 7:00–9:00 PM IST, May 22, 2025

Tools: Stellarium for simulation; Adobe Lightroom for post-processing, no stacking, no filtering, no motorized tracking.

 

 

🌌 The Observation

On that evening, I noticed a faint "object" very close to Mars through the eyepiece — it appeared separated just slightly, like a satellite or moon. Given the timing and orientation, I initially believed I had captured something very rare — possibly Phobos, one of Mars’ moons.

Excited, I:

• Captured the sight through sketches and memory.
• Cross-checked the coordinates and timing in Stellarium.
• Started contacting astronomers and organizations like ALPO, ISRO, NASA, etc.

 

 

✉️ The Investigation

After detailed communication and expert feedback from Roger Venable (ALPO Mars Section), the event was reclassified. Here’s what actually happened:

❗ It wasn’t Phobos — it was a rare appulse of Mars and the star TYC 1402-56-1.

That is: the star and Mars came very close in the sky (from Earth's point of view).

 

 

🏆 Why I’m Sharing

This event became extra special when I realized:

• No one else in the world seems to have publicly captured or reported this appulse.
• I may be the first to document the Mars–TYC 1402-56-1 appulse (May 22, 2025) with visuals and time logs.
• My report is now archived in the ALPO Mars section, along with our discussion.

 

📷 Lessons for Fellow Observers

 

1. Always verify and question your assumptions — I went from thinking I saw a Martian moon to identifying a stellar appulse.
2. Reach out to experienced groups (like ALPO) — the feedback I got was incredibly helpful.
3. Even humble equipment like a 130mm reflector can capture remarkable moments with a sharp eye and patience.

 

I’m grateful to ALPO for helping clarify the identification.

 

 

Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Has anyone else ever observed a similar close appulse involving Mars or another planet?

Clear skies!

 

Clear skies,
Rishabh Sagar
Citizen Scientist | Amateur Astronomer | 130mm Reflector | New Delhi, India

First Public Capture of Mars–TYC 1402-56-1 Appulse

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 
• 

Edited by Rishabh Sagar, 14 June 2025 - 11:52 PM.

[happylimpet]

Can you attach a labelled image? NOt sure what im looking at.

[Cpk133]

Thats a pretty faint star for New Delhi.  

[Rishabh Sagar]

After deep research I found its angular separation is  ~ 18 arcseconds. (make it closest one)