Jovian transit

[bkm2304]

Hi All,

I've just been looking at Jupiter with the 16" and noticed what seemed to be a moon and shadow transiting. It was not a Galilean moon as these were all well away from the planet disc. I assume the shadow belonged to the satellite I saw - if indeed it was a satellite. Anyone got any ideas?

[ballaratdragons]

A satellite wouldn't cast a shadow on Joop. Strange :shrug:

Here are the locations of the Galilean Moons at the moment:

[iceman]

Ken is right, it certainly would not be a satellite shadow, and there were no galilean moons transiting at around 10pm AEST.

I suggest it may have been a dark feature on Jupiter itself. Take a look at mine and Anthony's latest images - there are many dark spots and barges that can look like a shadow or a moon at low resolution.

[JimmyH155]

Thats funny.... last weekend I too had a peek at Joops through my 12"LB and I SAW THE SAME THING I counted the moons and I could see 4 - all away from Joops. I even shone my torch down the tube to see if there was muck on mirror, then I put in a different eyepiece, and it was still there a distinct round completely black shadow - towards the edge. I thought arent I clever - I have seen a transit but there are only 4 big moons arent there??? and this was the fifth:D :D :D what was it??

[bkm2304]

Thanks for the replies lads. Let me clarify the term satellite as I used it!! I mean orbiting moon not man made device sent up to take photos of Jupiter! My suspicion is that it is a lesser moon - satellite transiting and I caught it in flagrante de licto!

The seeing was at times superb and i saw detail on Jupiter i had not seen previously. very fine bands and festoons.

Richard

[iceman]

Hi Richard

Although Jupiter has over 60 moons, only the 4 galilean moons cast shadows on the planet that we can observe. The rest are so tiny in comparison that not even hubble would resolve them.

[bird]

There is a prominent dark storm close to the GRS, I'm sure it would look like a moon shadow, but very small, maybe that was what you saw?

The recent images of Jupiter in the solar system thread show this feature.

regards, Bird

[JimmyH155]

Well I just looked at those photos on the solar thread and yes one of those photos shows exactly what I saw - a large black spot not far from the edge. (not the small one near the GRS) So it was just a storm was it? Completely black?? Seems strange.......
And we saw it because the seeing was so good:)
You dont think there are aliens up there do you?? Massing for an invasion of Earth?

[bkm2304]

Hmmm.... maybe it was the storm. Thanks for the info re: only 4 moons cast shadows. But I think your comparison between the Lightbridge and the Hubble is a bit unfair - afterall the Hubble is getting old!:lol: :lol: :rofl: :rofl: