| Best Photo of Mars taken from Ireland |
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Kevin Sweeney of Astronomy Ireland took this photo of Mars when it was
closest to Earth. He used a 10-inch telescope in Co. Meath and then
processed the image to bring out detail on the surface of the planet.
The white ice cap on the south pole is clearly visible. The large dark
triangular surface marking to the right is called Syrtis Major (which we
saw on the night of Astronomy Ireland's 13 Mars Watches[click to mars
watch page] around the country on Aug. 27), while the long dark patch
ending in a bit of a 'blob' at the left hand side is called Mare Sirenum
(which we saw in telescopes at the Star-B-Q on Aug. 23).
Taken at about 11:10pm August 27. Kevin stacked the best 40 out of 50
images each of 0.01sec exposure. 10-inch telescope at f/70 with a MX7C
CCD camera. All this equipment available from our Shop.
For this and more images of Mars every month get our magazine. Subscription page.
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