Re: Tips on viewing Mars?

Could be that you were on the wrong object, but assuming you are not here
are some things that will help...

1. Make sure your scope is collimated. See
http://www.andysshotglass.com/Collimating.html . The short focal length and
center obstruction of your specific reflector make it much more challenging
to see the subtle features of Mars.

2. Purchase a good 2X Barlow
(http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=25). Avoid the
cheap ones. This will give you about 150X with the 6mm lens; and also
effectively doubles the number of effective eyepieces you own. Here's the
down side... seeing Mars will still be a difficult issue for you because
the eye-relief (the distance you place your eye in back of the eyepiece in
order to see a focused image) of the 6mm lens you have is likely to be very
small (on the order of 6mm) and the field of view of this eyepiece is likely
very small (forcing you to constantly nudge the shaky scope to keep Mars in
view). Alternatively, you could purchase a 3.5mm Stratus as it has generous
eye relief (20mm), a wide field of view (68 degrees vice 50 or less), and
sufficient magnification (129X); these new lenses are getting good reviews,
but will cost you a bit. If you can and given the choice I'd go with the
latter option.

3. To cut down on the substantial glare I use a variable polarizer filter
(
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=87&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=6&iSubCat=22&iProductID=87 )
.. You can use other color filters as well, but I find that just knocking
down the glare helps substantially in resolving details and the variable
filter can be used for all the various phases of the Moon. Mars takes
patience. Even with premiun scopes the steadiness of Earth's atmosphere,
the subtle contrasts of Mars features, and Martian weather are also
important links in the chain of "optical clarity." I own and 8" f/5
Celestron reflector, a Stellarvue 80mm f/6 refractor, and a Stellarvue 102A
f/8.7 refractor... and have obtained the full range of performance (from
"really great" to "not tonight."

Be patient and get out to a local astronomy clubs star party to look through
a variety of scopes....

Good Luck,
Jim



"Just Me" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Xns9705124D2EC29nospamnooospamcom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>I recently got a 4.5" reflecting telescope (this one, to be specific
> http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=101776) in hopes
> of viewing Mars.
>
> However, all I see is this small bright white spot - no color or detail.
>
> I've been out when the stars didn't twinkle, around midnight, in a rural
> area.
>
> Am I doing something wrong?


.

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