Mars First Observations
I first started observing Mars in 1973 with a 60mm Tasco refractor, actually 2 different instruments, the first was an f/12 instrument on an altazimuth mount, using a 20mm Huygenian eypiece and a 6mm ortho in .965" diameter. The second was an f/15 instrument, equatorially mounted with a clock drive, using 18mm and 9mm ortho eyepieces in 1 1/4" with a .965 to 1 1/4" adapter from Meade. I purchased a Bausch & Lomb 4" SCT in 1986 for Halley's Comet which I did manage to observe once in Pisces. This Unit was f/12 and of average quality. In 1990 I purchased a Meade 8" SCT which I kept until 1999. The Meade was a fairly good telescope for astrophotography but not really razor sharp on the planets.
Mars September 9, 1973 60mm refractor, 117X, CM=340 degrees, seeing 4/5, from Edmonton. Simulation on the right
Mars January 18, 1976 60mm refractor, 100X, CM=13 degrees, seeing 4/5, from Edmonton. Simulation on the right
Mars July 28, 1986, 4" B&L SCT 133X, #21 filter, CM=74 degrees, seeing 4-5/5, from Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Simulation on the right
Mars November 18, 1990, 8" Meade SCT 160X, #21 filter, CM=336 degrees, seeing 4/5, from Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Simulation on the right
Mars February 4, 1995, 8" Meade SCT 192X, #21 and #15 filters, CM=263 degrees, seeing 4/5, from Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Simulation on the right
Mars March 29th, 1997, 8" Meade SCT 192X, #21 and #80A filters, CM=310 degrees, Dia.=14", seeing 4/5, from Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
Mars May 27, 1999, 0530 UT, 8" Meade SCT 200X, #21 and #80A filters, CM=274 degrees, seeing 4/5, from New Sweden, Alberta. Simulation on the right
Mars July 31, 2003 CM 336 degrees, Dia.=22", 0800 UT Hellas and S. polar cap bright, Sabeus Sinus and Margaritifer Sinus darkest, 120mm refractor, 100x to 200x MV-1 filter and #21 orange filter. Seeing Antoniadi II. Indication of rift in polar cap. Area around polar cap very dark.
Right...#21 orange filter. Shown with simulation to the right.
Detail of Sabeus Sinus at 200x, #21 filter
Mars July 31, 2003 CM 336 degrees, Dia.=22", 0800 UT Hellas and S. polar cap bright, Sabeus Sinus and Margaritifer Sinus darkest, 120mm refractor, MV-1 filter, eyepiece projection f/119, Fujicolor 800 1/4 second. Seeing Antoniadi II. Area around polar cap very dark.
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