Jupiter this morning, 20th March 2009

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

I had a fairly busy morning this morning - knowing that the skies were going to be clear (well, hoping), the waning crescent Moon was well positioned, a bright ISS and STS-119 Discovery pass was going overhead, and then of course Jupiter which is climbing to a manageable 35° altitude before dawn.

I managed to capture all three objects, and here’s the first one that has been processed. It’s Jupiter in seeing that was very similar to what I captured on wednesday morning.

The resolution isn’t great due to the seeing, but Oval BA is visible just past the CM. I missed the best of the seeing as it deteriorated further as dawn approached. I was busy capturing the Moon and the ISS when the seeing was good, and Jupiter was still too low.

Jupiter and Oval BA - 19th March 2009

Thanks for looking.

[Paul Haese]

Not a bad image given the altitude Mike, but I reckon it might be worth checking the coatings on the mirror. I have noted that in the last 8-9 months or so your images have taken on a slightly blurred look to them. Very similar to what I saw from Dave P before his mirror started bubbling on the surface. I remember you writing at some point that you were concerned about the coatings. Seeing certainly could a factor but, in moderate seeing conditions, some of the larger polar ovals should be visible in your image. This is a little evident also in your Saturn images too, despite its poor illumination this apparition.

Might be worth a check.

[Jen]

nice Mike

[JD2439975 (Justin)]

The moon, ISS & Jupiter...all before the sun comes up.

Great start to the day Mike.