Had a superb night here last night looking at the planet Mars at its closest approach - amazing to have had clear skies, practically no wind and temperatures in double figures!
I used all of my eyepieces and was even able to use my 6mm lens with the 2 times Barlow lens as conditions were so good - that gave a staggering 633 times magnification through the ETX125!
I spent a considerable time just looking - it was amazing - just like looking at Earth from space and picking out continents - it was that good.
I am pleased with my portable set up now which I’ve been refining for some time. The telescope can be quickly mounted on the three studs in the lawn for accurate alignment and connections quickly made to my laptop in the control room.
I use a bucket to coil the umbilical in after viewing and it works a treat - especially if there is dew on the grass.
The last shot I took with the camera before I turned in was just a handheld one of a point of light some 34,000,000 miles away - The closest Mars will be to us for 15 years. A most memorable night!
Click on an image to get a closer view
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