Featured in Tele Vue's post about the 2018 Mars opposition: See a snapshot or view Tele Vue's post.
Selected as an Astrobin "Top Pick".
| Image Links | |
| Published image | Full resolution |
| Target Information | |
| Main Target Designation(s) | Mars |
| All Exposures | |
| Date(s) of acquisition | 2018Jun04 at 08:17UT |
| Location | Defiance, MO |
| Target Altitude | 25.9° |
| Apparent Diameter | 15.85" |
| Phase | 91.6% |
| IR Exposures (as Luminance) | |
| Total capture | 9230 x 25.63ms at 50% gain |
| Stack source | 7% of 240" video at 38 fps (avg) |
| Red Exposures | |
| Total capture | 13159 x 11.32ms at 50% gain |
| Stack source | 7% of 150" video at 87 fps avg |
| Green Exposures | |
| Total capture | 6125 x 24.45ms at 50% gain |
| Stack source | 10% of 150" video at 13 fps (avg) |
| Blue Exposures | |
| Total capture | 4756 x 31.50ms at 50% gain |
| Stack source | 13% of 150" video at 12 fps (avg) |
| Equipment | |
| Imager | ZWO ASI174MM |
| Filters | ZWO 1.25" RGB |
| Telescope/Lens | Celestron C14 XLT SCT |
| Magnifiers | Tele Vue 2x Powermate |
| Effective Focal Length | 7820mm (f/22) |
| Mount | Celestron CGE Pro |
| Focuser | Moonlite 2.5" CSL |
| Software | |
| Acquisition | FireCapture 2.5 |
| Guiding | None |
| Processing | AutoStakkert 3, Registax 6, WinJUPOS 10, PixInsight 1.8 |
As we scoot toward its opposition at the end of July, Mars is getting a little higher in the sky, a little closer to us, and a little bigger in the scope.  With the help of the long focal length afforded by the C14 and the 2x Powermate, we're starting to be able to discern more and more detail as the summer nights march forward. Here we are graced with the presence of the Syrtis Major, one of the most prominent "dark areas" on Mars, along with the Hellas impact crater south of it, which holds the record for the largest visible impact crater known in our solar system.  This type of albedo detail stirs a lot of excitement as we consider what added depth of features may become visible as Mars moves to a better position. But, this excitement is now tempered with some unexpected caution...
Very recently, a dust storm began on Mars and has quickly escalated its growth to a global-scale. While this is a fascinating development, it's timing is unfortunate to say the least! A video released by NASA details the difference the storm has made -- and "significant" would be an understatement! I'm lucky to have captured this image (arguably my best attempt yet) ahead of the global outbreak. With the best Martian apparition we've had in many years reaching its peak over the coming months, we can only sit here and hope the universe decides to dial back the Martian madness... but even if it doesn't, I'll get a look at one of the most unique weather phenomenon in our solar system!
