Mars in C14 (Blue Mountains)

The fourth planet was spectacular in the Celestron 14.

Instrument: Celestron 14-inch SCT
Mount: Paramount ME
Method: Go To

I popped out the back door after dessert and saw that the southern skies were pretty good. I told the gang that I was going to go out to the observatory, target Mars, and assess the conditions. I'd call if it was really good.

And it was.

With the 18mm eyepiece, the view was fantastic. Good clarity, good detail. The polar cap stood out. The surface, pale orange through dark grey blue. When the view steadied, it was impressive. This is a great telescope.

With the 13mm, it was a bit too soft.

I returned to the house and stuck my head into the kitchen. Everyone was gathered in the living room. I told them Mars was amazing. I wondered if they might want to look now. Mom said, "Actually, yes. We're not sure we can stay awake to midnight."

They joined me one by one and took a look. Mom and Steve really enjoyed the views. I think Donna struggled a little with the focus. Mom particularly liked when I showed the zoomed in view on the computer.

I was tempting to sit down and sketch.

Very beautiful, at just over 101 million km.

I don't know if I remember a view this good. Even when I view it at 56 million km... Mind you, in an 8", in the city limits.

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We viewed a couple of other targets.

The Christmas Tree Cluster (part of NGC 2264) I showed everyone. It just fit in the 55mm. Mom enjoyed it. I heard Donna say, "Why is the bright star in the trunk?" I only looked briefly and could not see any of the surrounding nebula. I did not notice the Cone Nebula.

We took a peek at the Great Nebula in Orion. Huge. Filled the eyepiece. I glanced quickly and could see 4 stars of the Trapezium.

I moved the C14 to M1, the Crab, Messier 1. Found a small puff ball. I didn't think it would garner much interest. My quick glance did not coax out any detail.

Everyone was getting chilled and thinking about returning to the house.

I returned, at long last, to Meissa. Steve and I could both split the bright stars. But clouds moved in dimming the view. But not before I spotted my "C" star...