Mars currently is 10 arc seconds in diameter. Enough to start to work. By the end of December it will be 14 arc seconds, a bit short of almost 50% more in size. That should be more than enough to get going in all seriousness. I have a #30 Magenta filter coming from Vernonscope just for Mars. That was quite effective in Kent's big refractor last go around. Already have the orange filters.
Mars is still a bit late at night now, around midnight,? but will be fairly high toward the end of December at 11 pm. As many know this will be the last apparition that is decent in our life times. Though not as large as the last two it does ride high this time. The future appearances will be less opportune. I have lost count now as to my Mars seasons I have under the belt. Three years between them.? It has been sometime now since we last looked so let's make the most of what we have.
