Sketchbook from the southern California desert, November 5, 2005. Repeating our 2003 Mars opposition trip, Mojo and I joined our good friends Mike Portuesi and Jim Mace again for an observing trip to the deserts of southern California. We brought three refreactors and one reflector just like we did in 2003. Again we experienced excellent seeing. In 2003, late August temperatures cooled to the high 90's at midnight. In November 2005, the temps were a comfortable 60 degrees instead.

My sketches are from our Astro Physics f/9 180EDT refractor with 10mm Zeiss Abbe Orthoscopic eyepieces, and binoviewer and barcon barlow for 480x, and Michael Portuesi's sketches are from his f/5 15-inch Litebox reflector. You'll have to mentally flip the images if you want see the same view from both refractor to reflector views, or just simply enjoy them as they appeared in the eyepiece of each of our telescopes. One night out of our two planned observing nights was clear, but one night was enough for some great views. This included some sharing of views with the other guests at the Borrego Springs Resort , and left time for some great slot canyon hikes . Side note is my family stays at this resort each spring for hiking and wildflower and cactus bloom season. I highly recommend this area for springtime visits, telescope or no telescope.

Mars by Jane Houston Jones 7-inch refractor 480x, CM247°	Mars by Jane Houston Jones, CM 254°	Mars by Jane Houston Jones, CM 266°

Mars by Michael Portuesi 14.5 inch Litebox reflector	Mars By Michael Portuesi 14.5 inch Litebox reflector	Mars by Michael Portuesi 14.5 inch Litebox reflector

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