Mars and Spica (8 April 2014)

On 8 April 2014, Mars will be at opposition. It should appear redder than usual, since it will be less than 7° from the bright blue star Spica. Your challenge: Capture both Mars and Spica in the same field of view, showing off the contrast in their colours. For extra credit, try and include Vesta, which will be coming in to opposition on 13 April, and Ceres which will be at opposition two days later. The longest line between any of these objects is between Spica and Ceres, at a little over 16°. Submit your images to astrophotographyassa.saao.ac.za with the subject “Mars and Spica Challenge”