Jupiter's Moons

[Boton]

Last night (24 May 08) I was looking Moon and Juoiter in the sky with my small telescope.

The 4 "Galilean" moon's of Jupiter were almost in a straight line!
I never seen this before. I have to say it was fascinating...:thumbsup:

Can someone with a bit more knowledge than me tell me if this is common? How often?

Thanks for any piece of knowledge I can get.


:help:

[iceman]

Hi Boton - it sure was a nice sight.

I guess it can happen fairly often, it just depends if it's dark where we are in the world at the time :)

I use Jupiter 2 (http://astrosurf.com/rondi/jupiter/) to work out where and when the satellites will be in a certain position, transits, shadow transits and GRS transit.

The GRS is at about 124deg longitude at the moment.

[saberscorpx]

Hi guys,

We also cross Jupiter's orbital plane about every six years-
the next coming in 2009- so the Galilean sats will appear
more 'in line' thru early 2010.

Accordingly, grazes and occultations between the moons
frequent our views during this transition.


SJS

[iceman]

Thanks Stephen - i'm looking forward to capturing some satellite occultations and grazes.

[Boton]

Thank you guys, wow, that was a quick answer.

Thanks IcseMan to pointing me to the software, this week I'll install a windows version on my iMac and try this Jupiter 2 software.

The nights have been very clear here on the Sunshine Coast, but it is cold outside waiting for Jupiter to rise...

Cheers (BBQ time now:D)

Beto Boton

[iceman]

Don't forget to give Jupiter time to rise up high enough before observing it - generally any time after 12:30-1am would be the best time.

[Bloodbean]

Mike,

How high up from the horizon do you usually give Jupiter before imaging?

Troy

[iceman]

Depends on the time of the season :)

These days, I wait until it's over 45 or 50deg.

[Matty P]

Yes, it was an amazing sight. :)

I observed Jupiter yesterday and the 4 galilean Moons seemed to make a zig zag pattern.

The Moon was also 2.5 degrees N of Jupiter at the time, so it made this event that much better.

:thumbsup:

[Ric]

I was observing Jupiters moons all lined up last night as well. I must say it was a very lovely sight. I was even able to observe it banding despite it being so close to the moon.

Cheers

[saberscorpx]

While we're on Jupiter (?), and for those unaware, you lucky
cats down under have a double shadow/sat transit scheduled
for June 1st (1720ut).

I also dug up an example of the moons' maximum orbital tilt
from 2006:

http://tinyurl.com/5h72cd


SJS

[iceman]

We have an awesome view right NOW!

Io off to the W, Ganymede in transit with Europa's shadow, the GRS in transit and Europa to the E about to cut across the limb!

Well, it was beautiful until the clouds came :(

[Deeno]

Easily the most stunning views of Jupiter I've been blest with to date!!

[Rick Petrie]

Last night's views of Jupiter were just amazing. So much detail and transits so clear. If the moon wasn't so much of a presence, the views would have been even more crystal. -AWESOME!!

[iceman]

Here's my image from that beautiful night:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=32304

[cahullian]

I agree with you all I haven't been out much lately with my scope but Jupiter has been fantastic. Nice pics Mike I like the second one a lot He he

Gazz