Chaco Canyon ... early one freezing morning in May ...

Observations:  Tracing Mars' Path

      The second time I saw Mars and Antares from my back window I noticed that they were very close, however, the next time I saw them (a week later), they appeared farther apart.  So to track Mars’ path I decided to incorporate azimuth and altitude measurements as part of my observation strategy.  The following table illustrates the measurements I’ve taken to date:
 

        Unfortunately, analyzing this data was not as simple as I thought it would be.  My intention was to take the measurements, then graph the differences in azimuth, and the result would illustrate Mars path relative to Antares.  However, based on the data I’ve collected Mars path is extremely erratic.
        This made me doubt the accuracy of my measurements, and the process I used.  I’ve been very careful when taking my measurements, granted the equipment I use is not a precision instrument, but I am confident that it provides good measurements.
       As for the process, I've decided to modify it.  I am going to pick a fixed point (top of a tree), and each time Mars gets to that point I will take my measurements.  With this method Mars’ altitude may change, but its azimuth will be constant.  Antares’ altitude and azimuth will vary giving me the difference data that I will graph.  Hopefully, this method will produce a more coherent pattern.
        However, despite my doubts about the accuracy of my data I decided to correlate some of the data and attempt analysis:

                           Table 1                                           Table 2

Table 1:  I selected these values based on the azimuth of Mars, they are within a ten-degree range.  However, it shows Mars path as increasing-decreasing- increasing in approximately 7.5 degrees over a period of 41 days, very erratic.

Table 2:  Also selected for the closely related azimuth measurements, a seven degree range.  These illustrate a less erratic and logical path - gradual increase and decrease.  Mars entered retrograde during mid-May which would explain the decrease from 7-25 May; however, there is no logical explanation for the decrease from 2-7 May.

        I expected these measurements would confirm what I see -- Mars is moving away from Antares.  Unfortunately, the data doesn't substantiate my observations.  Table 1 and Table 2 clearly illustrates the fallacies in my process.  However, I'm confident that the new method will provide a new set of data that will solidify my expectation.  But I'll have to wait until Mars' retrograde is complete -- it will be interesting to track his path during this period because I'm sure it will be erratic.