5-inch Mars

[ronbee]

It is still very small but the time to start observing is now.

Ron B[ee]

[Edsport]

That's very good. I bet it's better than i can do with my 10" meade...

[budguinn]

Nice shot, Ron....nice detail

[ronbee]

Thanks Budd for your kind words.

Ron B[ee]

[dciobota]

Very nice indeed Ron! Better than my attempts with the C11, the seeing in my area just can't support that large aperture. I'm really thinking about getting a decent refractor in the 5" category, your pic proves that size refractor can perform very well indeed.

Daniel

[AstroImaging_KindaGuy]

Great shot!

I am curious. I always thought until recently that any planet to the outside of us would never appear phased yet I noticed in the recent images of Mars I am seeing including mine that it appears phased. How is that?

[ronbee]

Originally Posted by AstroImaging_KindaGuy

Great shot!

I am curious. I always thought until recently that any planet to the outside of us would never appear phased yet I noticed in the recent images of Mars I am seeing including mine that it appears phased. How is that?

Thanks for you guys' kind words.

Mars is phased because of its current angle between us and the sun. As it gets to opposition, its phase will lessen as it grows to 100% illumination. Here's a much better explanation .
http://www.astrosurf.com/benschop/Mars_Images.htm

There are also phases on Jupiter even though it's very difficult to see. A few years ago Walter Haas gave me the hint to look at the difference in intensity of illumination between the preceding and following rim .

Ron B[ee]

[AstroImaging_KindaGuy]

Originally Posted by ronbee

Thanks for you guys' kind words.

Mars is phased because of its current angle between us and the sun. As it gets to opposition, its phase will lessen as it grows to 100% illumination. Here's a much better explanation .
http://www.astrosurf.com/benschop/Mars_Images.htm

There are also phases on Jupiter even though it's very difficult to see. A few years ago Walter Haas gave me the hint to look at the difference in intensity of illumination between the preceding and following rim .

Ron B[ee]

Thanks Ron...the illustration did help explain it for me. Again great shot!

[neilfleming]

Very nice job, Ron.

...Neil