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...

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.

[iceman (Mike)]

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 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 (Mike)]

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)

Beto Boton

[iceman (Mike)]

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 (Troy)]

Mike,

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

Troy

[iceman (Mike)]

Depends on the time of the season

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

[Matty P (Matt)]

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.

[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 (Mike)]

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 (Mike)]

Originally Posted by 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

Originally Posted by Deeno

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

Originally Posted by 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!!

Here's my image from that beautiful night:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.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