Mars

Mars takes 687 days to orbit the Sun and it is more elliptical than Earth's orbit. Because of this, Mars makes a close approach to Earth about every 2 years. In July of 2018, Mars had it's closed approach in 15 years of 35.8 million miles. The October 2020 approach was 38.6 million miles. December 2022 brings Mars within 50.7 million miles. The next close approach will be 59.7 million miles in January of 2025.

The 2018 Season

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Freeport, IL USA
7 July 2018
01:27 CDT
ASI290MC
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
5037
10%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

My first image of Mars for 2018. There was a dust storm in progress so much of the suface detail is washed out.

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Freeport, IL USA
27 July 2018
23:51 CDT
ASI290MC
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
10831
10%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

The dust storm is settling down. Surface detail is become more visible. Mars is at opposition on this day (7/27/18).

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Freeport, IL USA
2 August 2018
22:59 CDT
ASI290MC
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
11045
10%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

Just 6 days after Opposition, dust storm still washing out detail.

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Freeport, IL USA
11 August 2018
22:49 CDT
ASI290MC w/2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
8906
10%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

Sky conditions still not great. Still only able to stack 10% of images. Used a Explore Scientific 2x Image Expander.

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Freeport, IL USA
17 August 2018
22:20 CDT
ASI290MC
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
11057
50%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

Last good image for 2018. Sky conditions were pretty good.

The 2020 Season

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Freeport, IL USA
28 September 2020
22:46 CDT
ASI290MC w/2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
8910
50%

AutoStakkert!3
Topaz AI/Registax6
Photoshop

Sky was nice and stable. Able to stack 50%.

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Freeport, IL USA
4 October 2020
22:13 CDT
ASI290MC w/ 2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
10818
60%

AutoStakkert!3
Topaz AI/Registax6
Photoshop

Very good sky conditions.

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Freeport, IL USA
8 October 2020
21:46 CDT
ASI290MC w/2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
10890
25%

AutoStakkert!3
Topaz AI/Registax6
Photoshop

Average Sky Conditions.

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Freeport, IL USA
10 October 2020
22:49 CDT
ASI290MC w/2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
7519
50%

AutoStakkert!3
Topaz AI/Registax6
Photoshop

Very good sky conditions. One of my best images of the season. Opposition is in 3 days (10/13/20).

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Freeport, IL USA
6 November 2020
22:20 CDT
ASI290MC w/2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
11054
40%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

Last good image for 2020. Sky conditions were pretty good. I got some nice detail.

The 2022 Season

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Freeport, IL USA
22 November 2022
21:46 CDT
ASI662MC w/2x Expander
Celestron C9.25
2350mm
Celestron NexStar Evolution
19357
50%

AutoStakkert!3
Registax6
Photoshop

First good image of 2022. Sky conditions were average.