COURTESY OF Doug Zubenel Mars glimmers in the night sky during its 2010 opposition . Astrophotographer Doug Zubenel said of the image , “ After several weeks of cloudy weather , the sky was relatively clear on the evening of Jan . 26 , 2010 , allowing me to observe the planet Mars with our 12.5 ” f / 10 Newtonian reflector . At 488X , the northern polar cap ’ s dark border , as well as Aurorae Sinus and Mare Sirenum were well seen during moments of good seeing . This view is from a camera with a 24mm lens and cross screen mounted piggyback on the telescope , exposed for 17 seconds .”
Make the most of Mars in 2018
By STEPHEN EDBERG
Skywatch Observatory La Cañada and Lockwood Valley , Calif . Guest Contributor
This is going to be a big year for Mars . Besides the continuation of interesting science from several orbiters and two rovers , the InSight lander launched to Mars on May 5 on a mission to increase our understanding of the planet ’ s interior . But space-based exploration efforts are not the only thing putting Mars in the spotlight in 2018 . At month ’ s end , viewers on Earth will get to enjoy great views of Mars as it reaches opposition , rising at sunset and setting at sunrise on the night of July 26-27 , while nearing its closest approach to Earth on the night of July 30-31 . It will be closer than it has been at any time since 2003 , and maximizing this viewing opportunity is a must .
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Honing your observing skills — visual and / or photographic — before the upcoming Mars opposition will allow you to take the greatest advantage of the event . For a planet that gets so close to Earth , it is surprisingly difficult to see much on its surface without practice . There are several reasons for this . Most of the time Mars appears smaller than the planet Saturn ( not counting its rings ) in the sky . It is also bright , especially around opposition , making its glare in the field of view very high compared to the dark background sky . In addition , the contrast of features on its surface and ice clouds and dust storms in its atmosphere is low . Observers have to wait for Mars opposition every 26 months or so , but there are observing techniques to learn and use that will improve your viewing , especially if you start soon and return to view Mars , as it appears to grow larger , frequently over the coming months . The practice you get for / with Mars will pay off for all types of visual observing , from other planets and into the deep sky .
Your Telescope Making the most of visual observing comes from using a variety of considerations and techniques . What ’ s the best telescope ? The one you will pick up on a whim and take outside for a look . Having the best telescope in the world doesn ’ t matter if it ’ s a “ closet-queen ” and is never used . In most situations , the larger the telescope , the better . Refractor ( lens ) or reflector ( mirror )? Modern apochromatic refractors are much better than classical achromatic
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