Making an observation

Augment your views of Mars for useful scientific study

Making an observation of Mars isn’t hard. Make it useful for wider reference by recording the date and time (in Universal Time, UT). Include your name, location and conditions, making a seeing estimate through the eyepiece. The five-point Antoniadi scale (see table, right) is useful for this.

Record the observing instrument along with details of magnifications used. Also record whether filters were used. Images and drawings are normally (but not exclusively) presented south-up with the following (F) and preceding (P) limb directions indicated. Features rotate into view around the F limb, disappearing behind the P limb.

It’s optional but useful to include values for solar longitude (Ls) and the planet’s central meridian longitude (CM). Get these from a program such as the freeware WinJUPOS, Once completed, submit your efforts to an organisation such as the British Astronomical Association (BAA) Mars section or the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers (ALPO).