Last Update: 15 April 2007

This program was used to compile amateur observations to support many of the current missions that are exploring Mars.  A key component of the program was to monitor Martian dust storm activity and atmospheric phenomenon. Amateur astronomers from around the world submit thousands of observations, including CCD images, drawings and photographs. To see these images, follow the link to MarsWatch on the LINKS page.  The fall of 2007 and winter of 2008 will allow up to image Mars as it comes to opposition next winter.  Expectations are high as the amateur community continues to evolve in its ability to capture high resolution images of our nearest celestial neighbour.  This opposition will not be as good as 2005, but will still be worth the view.

The IOPW is an international group of professional and amateur astronomer working together to gather data on the outer gas giants in our solar system.  Most amateurs contribute by regular imaging of Jupiter and Saturn.  Images support the ongoing Cassini mission to Saturn, and professional studies of Jupiter by the Hubble Space telescope and other professional ground based observatories.

Some amateurs have succeeded in collection useful data from images of Uranus and Neptune as well.

These observations are complimented by observing groups such as ALPO (Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers), the BAA (British Astronomical Association) and the OAA (Oriental Astronomical Association). Links to these programs can be found on the LINKS page too.

I contribute images of Jupiter and Saturn taken with a variety of filters with the 30cm SCT.  Standard RGB and unfiltered images are taken in conjunction with near-IR (800nm-337nm FWHM), methane (889nm-18nm FWHM), and UV (364nm-32nm FWHM) filters.