2003 is the Summer of Mars. This year, Mars passes closer to the earth than it has in 60,000 years. In this article, we will give you some basic tips about observing Mars, and a list of Links for all the info you need about this once in a lifetime event.

Where and When to Look

The next month or so is the best time to see Mars. It will grow slightly bigger and brighter on August 27th, but the view will be much the same anytime until mid-September. Mars rises around 10:00 p.m. (daylight savings time) in the East-Southest in mid-August for locations around 38 degrees latitude. It is currently in the southern part of the constellation Aquarius. Mars outshines everything else in the night sky (with the exception of the moon) at magnitude -2.6. It's best to wait until around midnight in mid-August to observe Mars with a telescope. This is to allow Mars to rise above the haze that is always close to the horizon, and makes for blurry viewing. In late August Mars rises around 9 p.m., and is well placed for viewing from 10:30 onwards.

How to Observe

Mars can be viewed with any size telescope. This summer, it will be similar in size to the planet Saturn (minus the rings). You will be able to see the South Polar Cap, as well as surface features on Mars- rocky areas, deserts, dust storms, and cloud cover. When observing, use low magnification first to see how steady the seeing is. "Seeing" is the astronomical term for the steadiness of the atmosphere. If you're unsure about magnification, look at your eyepieces. The higher the number (for example 25mm), the lower the magnification. Then "bump up" the power to get more close up views.

Filters

Color filters are helpful for observing any planet.  A basic set of four color filters can be purchased from Orion Telescope.  For Mars, yellow, red and orange filters work best.  Orange and red filters can be too dark for smaller scopes though, because they only allow a small percentage of light to pass through them.  A yellow filter is especially good for highlighting the dark albedo features.  A light blue filter also helps to bring out the polar cap.  Remember, the steadiest views of Mars come when it crosses the meridian, its' highest point when it is due south.  Also remember not to over-magnify the image if the air is not steady.  Good luck, and send us your observing reports!

Web Links

Sky and Telescope © Magazine's Online Observing Articles:
Mars at its All Time Finest
Mars in 2003: Which Side Is Visible?
Martian Flare Watch
How to Observe Mars' Moons

Another good Observing Guide with updated info is the Mars 2003 Opposition Page.

Astrobiology Magazine's Mars 2003 Article.

Mars Global Surveyor  homepage. This spacecraft is currently in orbit around the Red Planet.  

Mars Up Close, a preview of the new Mars rover that will be landing on Mars in December 2003.

Images of Mars from the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Planet Mars from the SEDS Nine Planets page.

Mars from the NSSDC Photo Gallery.

Mars by Percival Lowell, one of the greatest "amateur" astronomers to study Mars.

Do you like sketching Mars? Here are some good sites with sketch galleries of Mars:
http://members.cox.net/ronby/Solar-System/
http://skytour.homestead.com/sketch.html
http://home.teleport.com/~hbanich/