Mars Resources for 2010
January 18, 2010

These are some web sites and software programs that and observer of the planet Mars should find useful when observing or imaging the planet.
A detail Guide to the planet’s appearance written by Jeffrey Beish for the yearr 2010 is found here :
http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/

Identfing and viewing features of Mars can be a difficult task, using simple software can help you determine what is visible from your location. I use these often to confirm what I have seen.
The oldest is Mars Previewer II, which can be downloaded from Sky and Telescope web site amoung other places, and placed on your PC.

Mars Previewer, a direct link to the program. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/resources/software/3304921.html?c=y&page=2

Mars Profiler
The new JavaScript program on Sky and Telescope web site is also useful.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/javascript/mars

The software WIMP, Windows International Mars Patrol, software written a number of year back and update over the years covers more tha Mars. It includes all of the major planets, our Moon and the Sun. Not heavy on graphics, but loaded with observing data.

These will be highlighted at February meeting.

John D Sabia