Mars, Jupiter, Saturn - altitudes and sizes

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

Thought you might find this interesting - I've generated some graphs that show the transit altitudes and sizes of the main 3 outer planets:

http://www.acquerra.com.au/astro/docs/planets.html

cheers, Bird

[Lester]

Added that to my favorites, thanks Anthony.

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Thanks, Anthony. Pretty depressing picture for Jupiter (now will I still be able to lift the telescope in 2020?) and Mars won't reach a decent altitude at opposition until 2014.These could be graphs that tell us when to sell our planetary cameras and buy them again. Saturn's looking good but not much happens on Saturn so altitude isn't such a big deal.

[Calibos (Keith)]

I hate to disagree, but my feelings about the altitude of the 3 planets is the exact opposite of you guys

And talk about not appreciating what you got. Moaning about a Low for Jupiter of over 30º !! Try 13º on for size like I had to put up with last year!!

[Quark (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by Calibos

I hate to disagree, but my feelings about the altitude of the 3 planets is the exact opposite of you guys

And talk about not appreciating what you got. Moaning about a Low for Jupiter of over 30º !! Try 13º on for size like I had to put up with last year!!

Hi Keith, don't have any problems with sharing access to Jupiter with our Northern counterparts.

Personally, I am really looking forward to acquiring Saturn, virtually straight overhead and let me say that Saturn, although not as dynamic as Jupiter, still has a great deal to offer hi res planetary imager's.

Tracking electrical storms within Saturn's atmosphere is a passion of mine and I am hoping to get better data by the year for the next 10 years or so and when next the rings are fully open Saturn will be above my observatory.

Regards
Trevor