Is Mars visible now?

[Trik]

I took some shots of the moon tonight at just after midnight (2/3 Jan) and to roughly the southeast and about mid-way up the sky was a pronouncedly orange/red "star". Is this Mars? I took a few photos, but with only 400mm, the results were very poor. I did an online search, and January/February are apparently good months to observe Mars, but the dates given were for next week onwards.

Thanks
Trik

[carlos_dfc]

Yep - Mars is roughly to the left of the Moon tonight (Jan 2/3 2010)

By tomorrow night (Jan 3rd/4th) the Moon will have shifted to be below Mars.
About 10pm-ish, Mars will be roughly twice the height of the Moon - when both Moon and Mars are to the East

[DogHeadGod]

Hi Trik,

If you haven't already heard of it, I'd recommend Stellarium (Stellarium) it is free planitarium software and you'll be able to see what is in the sky at any time... even jump ahead and see what will be where in the future.

For something more in-depth there is Starry Night, I bought the "digital download" version when it was £50 a few years back (Starry Night Store) although looking now its gone up to about £80/90.

But definitely try out Stellarium!

[nytecam]

Originally Posted by DogHeadGod

...But definitely try out Stellarium!

and also freeware Cartes du Ciel planetarium prog that I use

[Kleftiwallah]

I think I saw that as well, very very red. I think it went behind a cloud as it seemed to just shut off! Cheers, Tony.

[Trik]

Thanks for both the software suggestions. I`ll check them out. I haven`t had another look at Mars since I first posted - too flippin` cold!

Trik

[Red Squirrel]

I took this photo a couple of nights ago, I think it's mars, can anyone confirm please?

[carlos_dfc]

Mars is pretty small at the mo (around 13 arcsec)

To get an image of Mars that size would require very long focal length scope, combined with a cam that has a small 'chip', such as a 'Toucam' webcam

The stripes look more like Jupiter - Jupiter is also much bigger than Mars (about 3 times the diameter), so you can get away with a 'shorter' focal length, and bigger chip (such as a DSLR)

Which direction was this object?
Jupiter is SW shortly after it gets dark - Mars is East/SouthEast later in the night.

[Trik]

I read that Mars will be at its closest point to Earth on 27 January. Can you tell me what time of night would be best for viewing, please?

Thanks
Trik

[Red Squirrel]

Carlos it was SW so it looks as though it was Jupiter. Thank you for identifying it.