Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: The Thing on Aug 02, 2018, 09:27:44

Title: Mars with Dust Storm Receding
Post by: The Thing on Aug 02, 2018, 09:27:44
My best attempt this season despite the shockingly low altitude of 13o.

(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10050/2018-08-01-2310_0-DE-OSC-Mars_g5_ap17.jpg)

FireCapture v2.6 beta Settings
------------------------------------
Observer=Duncan Evenden
Location=Manche, France
Scope=LX90 8" UHTC, X2 ED Barlow, PierroAstro ADC
Camera=ZWO ASI294MC Pro
Filter=OSC
Profile=Mars
Diameter=24.30"
Magnitude=-2.76
CM=4.0°  (during mid of capture)
FocalLength=4850mm (F/23)
Resolution=0.20"
Filename=2018-08-01-2310_0-DE-OSC-Mars.ser
Date=010818
Start=230953.378
Mid=231005.768
End=231018.159
Start(UT)=230953.378
Mid(UT)=231005.768
End(UT)=231018.159
Duration=24.781s
Date_format=ddMMyy
Time_format=HHmmss
LT=UT +1h
Frames captured=3000
File type=SER
Binning=no
Bit depth=8bit
Debayer=no
ROI=304x300
ROI(Offset)=1783x1102
FPS (avg.)=121
Shutter=2.149ms
Gain=361 (63%)
WBlue=90
AutoGain=off
HighSpeed=off
Gamma=50 (off)
Brightness=30
AutoHisto=66 (off)
AutoExposure=off
TargetTemp=-15
WRed=51
SoftwareGain=10 (off)
USBTraffic=50
FPS=100 (off)
Histogramm(min)=9
Histogramm(max)=101
Histogramm=39%
Noise(avg.deviation)=n/a
Limit=3000 Frames
Sensor temperature=-13.5°C
Target=Mars, Date: 010818, Time: 231005 UT, Mag: -2.76, Dia: 24.30, Res: 0.20, Az: 173.64, Alt: 14.48, Phase: 1.00, CM: CM=4.0°, Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro, Scope: LX90 8" UHTC, X2 ED Barlow, PierroAstro ADC, FL: 4850mm, F-ratio: 23, Observer: Duncan Evenden, Location: Manche, France, Comment: , Seeing:
Title: Re: Mars with Dust Storm Receding
Post by: Hugh on Aug 02, 2018, 10:29:58
Hi Duncan

Interesting photo as I had a good visual look at Mars the other night with some family and (although as you say so low ~ those awkward trees) several of us noticed that it seemed to be a lighter red over one half that the other.  It might have been just the atmosphere but could be that the abating dust storm was the cause?

Nice pic by the way.

Hugh
Title: Re: Mars with Dust Storm Receding
Post by: Carole on Aug 02, 2018, 12:10:22
Good image Duncan, despite the elevation and dust storm.

Carole
Title: Re: Mars with Dust Storm Receding
Post by: JohnP on Aug 02, 2018, 15:22:15
Nice Duncan - Well done. John
Title: Re: Mars with Dust Storm Receding
Post by: The Thing on Aug 02, 2018, 16:42:11
Hi Hugh

If you look at the astronomy now website they have an applet that will show you Mars at a time and date. You can see what features are visible.

My image is showing all correct features, so I'm assuming that the residual dust is just blurring things a bit.

Hth
Duncan