<p>Mars is a small planet and currently far from Earth (just over 1 Astronomical Unit). Therefore, it currently appears to be very small -- smaller than 9 arcseconds. At that size, it will look like a small disk. </p>

<p>Based on this one observation, I think that no conclusion can be made about any possible problem.</p>

<p>Also, a 130 mm f/5 scope is rather short for planetary observing where you want high magnification. This scope is better for wide fields of view, such as the Pleiades or Double Cluster.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-04T02:54:47.083Z
Maybe you didn't understand my question. I see no detail at all, no "small disk", just a white dot with no detail at all and that's what every other planet looks like. I've seen mars with this exact telescope online with identical magnification and it looks nothing like mine.
KingGeorgeGopro
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-03T04:46:54.430Z
2018-12-03T04:46:54.430Z
JohnHoltz
<p>Mars looks like a small white blob/circle and the same with all other planets. This is very frustrating. I've looked all over for a solution jumping from site to site and nothing. Please be different on this site.</p>

<p>Edit: Many people have marked this post as duplicate. Yes, I know, but the other post did not answer my question.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-03T02:25:38.033Z
What other planets have you looked at? What latitude are you observing from? Is 130 the diameter (size) of the scope in mm?
JohnHoltz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-03T09:59:29.377Z
It's a bit strange that Mars looks white. It has a distinct reddish orange colour.
PM 2Ring
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-04T02:56:19.760Z
@JohnHoltz I'll get back with you on that question once they skies clear and i can observe other planets. Also, it is strange that mars doesn't have the reddish orange color which is why i'm so confused and angry, about to send the telescope back and never buy one again. What a waste of time.
KingGeorgeGopro
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-04T04:02:59.440Z
@KingGeorgeGopro  Does Mars look clearly different (a disk rather than a dot) than a star in your scope? Is your scope properly aligned to the sky? Having made sure we're looking at the right thing, there are two considerations. First, consider using a higher magnification; step it up gradually. Planets can look really bright and white at lower magnifications. Second, if you've reached your highest mag and it's still a problem, investigate using a filter of some kind to solve the problem, such as a variable polarizer. I hope this helps. Keep in mind that weather on Mars may be a factor too...
Alphecca
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-04T04:30:07.637Z
This community would genuinely like to help, but the lack of detail in your question left little scope for it *not* to be marked as a duplicate. You could have added the information John Holtz asked for. What did you see when you looked at the Moon: was it clear and in focus? When you say "all the other planets", currently the only other one visible after sunset is Saturn (Venus only rises before dawn, and Mercury and Jupiter are too close to the Sun to be seen).
Chappo Hasn't Forgotten
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-05T03:53:59.387Z
I can't look at the moon because it hasn't been out for weeks. I can't look at mars now because it's below the horizon. I tried going to Uranus and i saw nothing in the eye piece.
KingGeorgeGopro
<planet><telescope><amateur-observing><mars><saturn>
Can't see any detail on planets with my new Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope
KingGeorgeGopro
# Can't see any detail on planets with my new Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-12-03)

Mars looks like a small white blob/circle and the same with all other planets. This is very frustrating. I've looked all over for a solution jumping from site to site and nothing. Please be different on this site.

Edit: Many people have marked this post as duplicate. Yes, I know, but the other post did not answer my question.

**Tags:** planet, telescope, amateur-observing, mars, saturn

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What other planets have you looked at? What latitude are you observing from? Is 130 the diameter (size) of the scope in mm?  
> **username_2**: It's a bit strange that Mars looks white. It has a distinct reddish orange colour.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I'll get back with you on that question once they skies clear and i can observe other planets. Also, it is strange that mars doesn't have the reddish orange color which is why i'm so confused and angry, about to send the telescope back and never buy one again. What a waste of time.  
> **username_3**: @username_0  Does Mars look clearly different (a disk rather than a dot) than a star in your scope? Is your scope properly aligned to the sky? Having made sure we're looking at the right thing, there are two considerations. First, consider using a higher magnification; step it up gradually. Planets can look really bright and white at lower magnifications. Second, if you've reached your highest mag and it's still a problem, investigate using a filter of some kind to solve the problem, such as a variable polarizer. I hope this helps. Keep in mind that weather on Mars may be a factor too...  
> **username_4**: This community would genuinely like to help, but the lack of detail in your question left little scope for it *not* to be marked as a duplicate. You could have added the information John Holtz asked for. What did you see when you looked at the Moon: was it clear and in focus? When you say "all the other planets", currently the only other one visible after sunset is Saturn (Venus only rises before dawn, and Mercury and Jupiter are too close to the Sun to be seen).  
> **username_0**: I can't look at the moon because it hasn't been out for weeks. I can't look at mars now because it's below the horizon. I tried going to Uranus and i saw nothing in the eye piece.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-12-03. Score: 2

Mars is a small planet and currently far from Earth (just over 1 Astronomical Unit). Therefore, it currently appears to be very small -- smaller than 9 arcseconds. At that size, it will look like a small disk.

Based on this one observation, I think that no conclusion can be made about any possible problem.

Also, a 130 mm f/5 scope is rather short for planetary observing where you want high magnification. This scope is better for wide fields of view, such as the Pleiades or Double Cluster.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Maybe you didn't understand my question. I see no detail at all, no "small disk", just a white dot with no detail at all and that's what every other planet looks like. I've seen mars with this exact telescope online with identical magnification and it looks nothing like mine.  

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