Jupiter with Europa and Callisto on 16 January 2023

[Averton (P and C)]

We should really just come to terms with the fact that the planets have moved on for this year. The only problem is that when you do get a good night and you go outside, they are still sitting there teasing you to try again. Foolishly we did on Monday night - bit of a debacle really. We captured video of both Jupiter and Mars. At the time it looked like Mars was more stable but those videos have now gone to where they belong - the bit bucket. Here is a Jupiter that is recognisable as such. This really should be the last time!

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Hi guys

Reluctantly I have conceded that I will not get any worthwhile images of Mars this opposition, now passed. With Mars receding and down to less than 13" it almost seems a lost cause. Every time I tried to image , the seeing was always terrible and the same with Jupiter. Managed a few decent images several months ago but nothing recently and as you say, Jupiter is now getting much lower after sunset and therefore harder to get good seeing .
What I found curious though is that earlier this month, after trying to capture the planets and only getting shape shifting, squirming blobs I moved over to Luna and captured some reasonable vids that processed into good images.

[Dave882 (David)]

Nice capture P&C - surprised you could get anything tbh. I’m hoping to get maybe one last view before the end of the season but it’s weeks since I e even been able to ge true gear out. I can sympathise with Jeff, it’s been similar for me too. I can count on one hand the number of nights with decent seeing this year and can’t say I’ve had more than 2 nights that I’d classify as very good seeing (one of those I got rained on too). Visual has been much more satisfying than imaging for sure

[Averton (P and C)]

Originally Posted by Saturnine

Hi guys

Reluctantly I have conceded that I will not get any worthwhile images of Mars this opposition, now passed. With Mars receding and down to less than 13" it almost seems a lost cause. Every time I tried to image , the seeing was always terrible and the same with Jupiter. Managed a few decent images several months ago but nothing recently and as you say, Jupiter is now getting much lower after sunset and therefore harder to get good seeing .
What I found curious though is that earlier this month, after trying to capture the planets and only getting shape shifting, squirming blobs I moved over to Luna and captured some reasonable vids that processed into good images.

Agreed Jeff, you eventually have to know when to give up. We often have bad seeing on one object and move to another where it is much better. In our case it is well known local effects. We need to dodge certain roofs, hot water services, heating systems and air cons - other than that it's a piece of cake
Also the longer the time after dark the better the roofs get, but when your object is setting quickly you don't get that option. Our roof is metal so cools down pretty quickly but some of the tiled roofs nearby keep emitting heat for hours. Whoever thought black tiles was a good idea, you have to wonder
Love your lunar image. Have you done the Lunar 100?

[Averton (P and C)]

Thanks David. We were also surprised as the videos didn't look that good as we were capturing. It hasn't been great this year, but with the planets receding in coming years we have wanted to take every opportunity to have a good look.