Newbie question about observing mars

I have a meade DS-2070 achromatic refracting telescope with an
aperture of 700mm and 2 lenses, 9mm & 25mm respectively. I know this
is not the strongest telescope but I guess I figured observing planets
would be a lot more detailed than I thought. The only thing I've
found really amazing is the moon. Looking at mars 4 or 5 times in the
last month, I've found that either lens only shows Mars to be a fuzzy
green little ball with no details at all. Why does it appear green?
I know I'm looking at Mars, it's obviously reddish colored and it's
one of the brightest things in the sky right now. The only other
planet I've tried viewing is Saturn and there was no rings, only a
fuzzy ball. The longest viewing session I've lasted for is about an
hour so I'm also wondering if I'm not waiting long enough for my eyes
to adjust to dark or am I in an area where light or atmosphere could
affect the viewing of Mars? I really want to see it up close during
the next week so I'd really appreciate any one with experience giving
me some advice on what I may be doing wrong or is my telescope just
not strong enough.

Thanks in advance
Mike Young
Troy, MI USA

Hi Mike,

If Mars is only a fuzzy green ball and you can't see rings on Saturn then
your scope or your skies must be pretty poor. On the other hand, i generally
don't see a whole lot on Mars either. I live just east of a high mountain
range with prevailing westerly winds and my seeing is always bad. I can see
the polar cap on Mars and maybe a bit of surface detail at times. Saturn i
can see rings. But the planets are pretty much always somewhat fuzzy for me
as well.

-Florian
Palm Springs, Calif.

Hi Mike,

If Mars is only a fuzzy green ball and you can't see rings on Saturn then
your scope or your skies must be pretty poor. On the other hand, i generally
don't see a whole lot on Mars either. I live just east of a high mountain
range with prevailing westerly winds and my seeing is always bad. I can see
the polar cap on Mars and maybe a bit of surface detail at times. Saturn i
can see rings. But the planets are pretty much always somewhat fuzzy for me
as well.

-Florian
Palm Springs, Calif.

Mike,

If you can't get a better scope, I'll bet a good eyepiece will help a lot. I
have a 40? year-old under 2" Tasco that will show some planetary detail with
a good, say 9 -10mm 1.25" Plossl eyepiece. Something in the $40 - $60 range.

One problem is that the old Tasco focuser doesn't take 1.25" ep's.

The Tasco will show Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, etc.

Gary Fuchs


"Mike Y." wrote in message
om...
I have a meade DS-2070 achromatic refracting telescope with an
aperture of 700mm and 2 lenses, 9mm & 25mm respectively. I know this
is not the strongest telescope but I guess I figured observing planets
would be a lot more detailed than I thought. The only thing I've
found really amazing is the moon. Looking at mars 4 or 5 times in the
last month, I've found that either lens only shows Mars to be a fuzzy
green little ball with no details at all. Why does it appear green?
I know I'm looking at Mars, it's obviously reddish colored and it's
one of the brightest things in the sky right now. The only other
planet I've tried viewing is Saturn and there was no rings, only a
fuzzy ball. The longest viewing session I've lasted for is about an
hour so I'm also wondering if I'm not waiting long enough for my eyes
to adjust to dark or am I in an area where light or atmosphere could
affect the viewing of Mars? I really want to see it up close during
the next week so I'd really appreciate any one with experience giving
me some advice on what I may be doing wrong or is my telescope just
not strong enough.

Thanks in advance
Mike Young
Troy, MI USA

Mike,

If you can't get a better scope, I'll bet a good eyepiece will help a lot. I
have a 40? year-old under 2" Tasco that will show some planetary detail with
a good, say 9 -10mm 1.25" Plossl eyepiece. Something in the $40 - $60 range.

One problem is that the old Tasco focuser doesn't take 1.25" ep's.

The Tasco will show Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, etc.

Gary Fuchs


"Mike Y." wrote in message
om...
I have a meade DS-2070 achromatic refracting telescope with an
aperture of 700mm and 2 lenses, 9mm & 25mm respectively. I know this
is not the strongest telescope but I guess I figured observing planets
would be a lot more detailed than I thought. The only thing I've
found really amazing is the moon. Looking at mars 4 or 5 times in the
last month, I've found that either lens only shows Mars to be a fuzzy
green little ball with no details at all. Why does it appear green?
I know I'm looking at Mars, it's obviously reddish colored and it's
one of the brightest things in the sky right now. The only other
planet I've tried viewing is Saturn and there was no rings, only a
fuzzy ball. The longest viewing session I've lasted for is about an
hour so I'm also wondering if I'm not waiting long enough for my eyes
to adjust to dark or am I in an area where light or atmosphere could
affect the viewing of Mars? I really want to see it up close during
the next week so I'd really appreciate any one with experience giving
me some advice on what I may be doing wrong or is my telescope just
not strong enough.

Thanks in advance
Mike Young
Troy, MI USA

Hi Mike,

Go to http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/organizations/ and look up
your nearest astronomy club. Contact them to see what private/public
Mars events they are holding this month and be sure to go to them.
Sometimes it is best to mooch of other people for a telescope... If you
are looking for good views of Mars this will be your best bet. In
addition, they will be able to advise you as far as getting more out of
your scope and possibly upgrading to a new one in a way that simply
can't be done online.

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools Software for the Observer:
http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html

Skyhound Observing Pages:
http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html

Hi Mike,

Go to http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/organizations/ and look up
your nearest astronomy club. Contact them to see what private/public
Mars events they are holding this month and be sure to go to them.
Sometimes it is best to mooch of other people for a telescope... If you
are looking for good views of Mars this will be your best bet. In
addition, they will be able to advise you as far as getting more out of
your scope and possibly upgrading to a new one in a way that simply
can't be done online.

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools Software for the Observer:
http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html

Skyhound Observing Pages:
http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html

Mike,

I think you need a better telescope...but this is not your only problem.
The other problem is that Mars is _very_ difficult to view these days. The
last time I looked (a few nights ago), Mars had a maximum elevation of about
34 degrees. This puts it very close to the horizon and forces you look
through a lot of atmosphere and muck to see the planet. Since you're north
of me (I'm in NYC area), the planet is even lower in your sky (about 30
degrees). BTW, I was viewing with a C-14 and the seeing was terrible, even
though the night appeared to be very clear.

So here's my advise to you...

Decide if your interest in astronomy is strong enough to put some money
together to buy a new telescope. If yes, then try to attend a star party
before the season is over. Doing so will allow you to experience some
telescopes, how they perform and how they strike your fancy. You are then
likely to make a more informed buying decision. Finally, when you've
decided which type of scope suits you best, remember that you can buy a used
telescope (www.astromart.com ) and save some money.

Al


"Mike Y." wrote in message
om...
I have a meade DS-2070 achromatic refracting telescope with an
aperture of 700mm and 2 lenses, 9mm & 25mm respectively. I know this
is not the strongest telescope but I guess I figured observing planets
would be a lot more detailed than I thought. The only thing I've
found really amazing is the moon. Looking at mars 4 or 5 times in the
last month, I've found that either lens only shows Mars to be a fuzzy
green little ball with no details at all. Why does it appear green?
I know I'm looking at Mars, it's obviously reddish colored and it's
one of the brightest things in the sky right now. The only other
planet I've tried viewing is Saturn and there was no rings, only a
fuzzy ball. The longest viewing session I've lasted for is about an
hour so I'm also wondering if I'm not waiting long enough for my eyes
to adjust to dark or am I in an area where light or atmosphere could
affect the viewing of Mars? I really want to see it up close during
the next week so I'd really appreciate any one with experience giving
me some advice on what I may be doing wrong or is my telescope just
not strong enough.

Thanks in advance
Mike Young
Troy, MI USA

Mike,

I think you need a better telescope...but this is not your only problem.
The other problem is that Mars is _very_ difficult to view these days. The
last time I looked (a few nights ago), Mars had a maximum elevation of about
34 degrees. This puts it very close to the horizon and forces you look
through a lot of atmosphere and muck to see the planet. Since you're north
of me (I'm in NYC area), the planet is even lower in your sky (about 30
degrees). BTW, I was viewing with a C-14 and the seeing was terrible, even
though the night appeared to be very clear.

So here's my advise to you...

Decide if your interest in astronomy is strong enough to put some money
together to buy a new telescope. If yes, then try to attend a star party
before the season is over. Doing so will allow you to experience some
telescopes, how they perform and how they strike your fancy. You are then
likely to make a more informed buying decision. Finally, when you've
decided which type of scope suits you best, remember that you can buy a used
telescope (www.astromart.com ) and save some money.

Al


"Mike Y." wrote in message
om...
I have a meade DS-2070 achromatic refracting telescope with an
aperture of 700mm and 2 lenses, 9mm & 25mm respectively. I know this
is not the strongest telescope but I guess I figured observing planets
would be a lot more detailed than I thought. The only thing I've
found really amazing is the moon. Looking at mars 4 or 5 times in the
last month, I've found that either lens only shows Mars to be a fuzzy
green little ball with no details at all. Why does it appear green?
I know I'm looking at Mars, it's obviously reddish colored and it's
one of the brightest things in the sky right now. The only other
planet I've tried viewing is Saturn and there was no rings, only a
fuzzy ball. The longest viewing session I've lasted for is about an
hour so I'm also wondering if I'm not waiting long enough for my eyes
to adjust to dark or am I in an area where light or atmosphere could
affect the viewing of Mars? I really want to see it up close during
the next week so I'd really appreciate any one with experience giving
me some advice on what I may be doing wrong or is my telescope just
not strong enough.

Thanks in advance
Mike Young
Troy, MI USA

In article , Mike Y. wrote:

last month, I've found that either lens only shows Mars to be a fuzzy
green little ball with no details at all. Why does it appear green?

It is not surprising that Mars is fuzzy, but it is surprising that it is
green. Maybe you're not pointing at Mars or you have the moon filter on.
Even in a small telescope you ought to be able to see that Mars is
reddish yellow and the polar cap is a tiny white spot.