Mars' 2014 retrograde colors, a look back to my images this apparition.

As Mars only comes around every other year I pursued the red planet fairly aggressively this time around.  I had a few nights that ended up solely on the cutting room floor and the rest are presented here.  19 nights worth of images.

Whole season is here

FULL HD SIZE HERE!

My images do not match the timing of the real retrograde motion of Mars as my observations are spotty based upon weather and time.  Retrograde motion is explained here, http://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/nightsky/retrograde/. 

My images start in the lower right back in December of 2013, when Mars' apparent size was a mere 6.7 arc seconds. Mars begins my image's 'normal motion' through to April 1st, 2014 and then begins retrograde until my image on May 13th.  Again these are not the dates of the real retrograde but an aesthetic representation for the sake of a pleasing looking image.  I left a bit of room at top in case I get any more chances this year but the past few weeks have been quite stormy and had no chances to get anything of worth.

Highlights include a published image on SpaceWeather.com on  March 29 (http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=28&month=03&year=2014)

and a few animations....

I didn't get Phobos or Diemos this year.

I do plan to make a full globe animation from the above images if that's what you're wondering!

Thanks for sharing this great ride with me watching the red planet and all the changes in weather and detail.

Mike