Mars near closest approach

This composite of Mars was done only 6 days from its closest approach, which will happen on January 12, 2025. Opposition will take place three days later, on January 15, 2025. Mare Acidalium, the Tharsis volcanic plateau and Mare Erythraeum are all prominently displayed here.

Celestron Nexstar 8SE (200-millimeter) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope.
ZWO ASI224MC 1.2 MP Color CMOS Camera.
3x apochromatic Barlow lens.

8,000 frames processed with PIPP, Autostakkert and Registax 6.