Wow, it seems like such a long time since I've done this. I hadn't actually intended on observing Mars but while taking advantage of a freak clear spell I notice Mars as the transparency decreased. I wasn't expecting much but when I swung my little scope around and put my eye up to the eyepiece I was plesently surprised.

At 300X magnification the tiny planet was showing as much detail as the seeing and my scope could provide. The Northern Polar cap was a bright white. Syrtis Major was prominent and heading towards the leading limb with Hellas Basin showing as a lighter oval to it's south. Colours and contrast were as bright and clear as I've ever seen them.

It was truely a fabulous view and couldn't resist making this sketch. This is how I saw Mars through my f/8, 152 mm newtonian dob at 300X magnification. North is down and the leading limb of the planet is to the left.