Mars, 01-01-2008
9:42-9:55 pm PDT. William Optics Megrez 80 FD refractor, 4 mm Burgess Planetary EP (139x). San Francisco, CA. Seeing: 6/10, Transparency: 6/10. Fainter features very hard to distinguish, visible only at instants; marking near polar cap is most certain.
Mars, 01-01- 2008
10:05-10:15 pm PDT. Tele Vue 102 refractor, w/3x barlow, 17 mm EP (perhaps 250x?). San Francisco, CA. Seeing: 6/10, Transparency: 6/10. Compared with view through WO scope, additional details visible near polar cap.
Mars, 12-30-2007
We had clear and surprisingly dark skies in the middle of San Francisco last night, when we brought our scopes out in front of the house to observe Mars. This sketch was done with the Megrez FD 80mm refractor at around 9:10 pm (CM 242). Both Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyhrrhenum were easily visible through both scopes. The polar regions showed as simply a bright region on the limb in the 80mm scope. But surprisingly, I caught Syrtis Minor and the tip of Libya in the 80mm scope, but not in the 102mm scope.
Mars, 12-30-2007
This sketch was done with the TV-102 around 9:30 pm (CM 248). The planet also appeared a washed out peach color at high mag in the binoviewer. Both Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyhrrhenum were easily visible through both scopes. Not surprisingly, I caught more detail through the larger scope, including Syrtis Major coming into view, and a clear view of the polar ice cap.
Mars, 11-05-2005
Series of three sketches made at Anza Borrego State Park close to Mars opposition.
Mars, 11-05-2005
Series of three sketches made at Anza Borrego State Park close to Mars opposition.
Mars, 11-05-2005
Series of three sketches made at Anza Borrego State Park close to Mars opposition.
Mars, 10-29-2005
Night of closest approach for the 2005 Mars apparition.
Mars, 09-05-2005
Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum are featured in this sketch. Seeing was poor, but I caught glimpses of some faint features closer to the north pole which are rendered here. Features are rendered in a cut/dried way, but it was hard to see the exact shape of details due to seeing.
Mars, 08-28-2005
First sketch of the 2005 Mars apparition. The fog cover over San Francisco has lifted, and an early rise from bed yielded this sketch of the Syrtis Major region. Remnants of South Polar Cap visible, and a hint of clouds near north polar rim.
Mars, 10-23-2003
Mars, 10-20-2003
Mars, 10-05-2003
Mars and its Moons, 08-31-2003
A schematic sketch showing position of the Moons relative to the planet. An astounding sight!
Mars, 08-31-2003
Mars, 08-30-2003
Mars, 08-29-2003
Mars, 08-24-2003
Mars, 08-23-2003
Mars, 08-16-2003
Mars, 08-15-2003
Mars, 08-15-2003 (2)
Mars, 08-14-2003
Mars, 08-09-2003
Mars, 07-27-2003
Mars, 07-27-2003 (2)