Be Ready - Jupiter at Opposition, 26 Sept

[glend]

Jupiter closet approach in 59 years. All you planetary fans, get ready.

https://scitechdaily.com/dont-miss-jupiter-to-reach-opposition-closest-approach-to-earth-in-59-years/

[drylander]

if only the clouds will go away. I can't remember what a starry night looks like.
Pete

[Dave882]

Yes in the brief moments of clear skies and good seeing it’s already quite spectacular!

I’d love to see a table of relative distance from earth / angular size per month into the future for the major and minor planets - do you know of anywhere online that’s got this info?

[astro744]

See https://aa.usno.navy.mil/

I use Dance of the Planets, observers companion (runs through DOSbox if you have Dance. I also use MICA, (Willmann-Bell publisher, source data U.S. Naval Observatory). MICA stands for Multiyear Interactive Computer Almanac, 1800-2050.

[xelasnave]

Thanks for that Glen and your suggestion to have a go with the 115mm ..honesty what a dull life I would have without you to guide me..
It's probably worth while adding a Barlow do you think?
Alex

[Tulloch]

This is a good resource.
https://in-the-sky.org/article.php?term=jupiter

[Dave882]

Yessss thanks that was exactly what I was looking for!

[glend]

If it's clear at your place tonight would be great for Jupiter, being almost bang on Opposition, New Moon darkness, and good elevation after 9pm. Have fun.

[Dave882]

Quite stable conditions tonight in Syd- in patches some of the best views of Saturn for the season. Unfortunately Jupiter still a bubbling mess low in the sky and just coming good now…cue clouds…:sadeyes:

EDIT- clouds have passed and Jupiter is looking beautiful!! Quite stable and transparency is decent too. Missed the GRS transit but some lovey detail round back still. Worth a look if you’re in Sydney. Gunna be a late one if it stays like this…

[glend]

Yes, pretty clear stable sky up this way. Just came in as the scope was starting to be dew affected and I did not have heaters set up. Nice vertical line up of the major moons. Yes no red spot in this position, but good cloud band definition. I found best definition was with my 6mm Orion Edge-on planetary EP, on my ED150 at f8. Tried a couple of Barlows but they just muddied the view.

[Rod-AR127]

I had a look last night, looked like Jupiter, couldn't really tell if it was closer.
127mm achro, 30mm 68 deg with 2x barlow was by far the best view.
Jupiter with two stripes, brownish top and four moons. My achro does not show much detail.
Orion planetary 5mm, bigger but nowhere near as nice as the 30mm x2.

Might go out later with the EvoStar ED72mm apo, that thing is nice for $600.

[Hans Tucker]

Yay .. if Bintel weather forecast for Melbourne is correct we have clear skies tomorrow evening. Now only need to decide what scope.. the AP130GTX ... or TEC160FL or the APOMAX 130 f12:question:

[EpickCrom]

I observed Jupiter last night, but the sky was full of smoke so it looked very yellow indeed , like using a yellow filter:lol: