Saturn and Jupiter - spectacular

[AK]

Just came in from observing Saturn and Jupiter with my little 4.5" Celestron
reflector - spectacular!!

Saw three moons of Jupiter very clearly, and a decent view of the rings, as
much as is possible with such a small scope.

Alan

[JK]

I share your enthusiasm. I've had my little Orion Starmax 90 for about a
week, and tonight it was clear enough that I could see Cassini's division
and see some color. Saturn was a creamy beige and the outer ring was darker
than the inner. I was able to spot 4 moons lined up on one side of Jupiter,
and was barely able to make out the two large color bands on the planet.
Also found the nebula in Orion for the first time. Not bad for such a small
scope (but now I wonder what it all looks like through an 8 inch Dob). Also
took my first successful afocal shot of the moon and it turned out much
better than expected. Afocal photography isn't too bad after all.

Happy Viewing!

JK

"AK" <a.kolnik@delete-this-part-that-stops-spam.verizon.net> wrote in
message news:cGPIb.11694$nK2.10133@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
Celestron
as

[AK]

I saw three moons very clearly in a straight line appearing well out from
Jupiter and a possible fourth right down on the rim of Jupiter - not sure if
it was a moon or simply a star in the "wrong" place. Where did you see the
fourth? But no detail was visible on the planet for me - I think the air
here, even under the best of conditions, is too polluted with light and
dust.

Congratulations on seeing the Orion nebula - I haven't been able to do that
yet - I think its just not clear enough around here.

And like yourself, am wondering about trading up to something bigger ....


"JK" <jk@nospam.com> wrote in message
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darker
Jupiter,
small
Also

[Joe S.]

The moons of Jupiter orbit Jupiter and their position changes almost from
minute to minute.

It's not unusual to see three, then, a few hours later, to see four -- or
vice versa. Or, you may see three on one side of the planet and one on the
other side -- or all four on one side.

If you saw three on one side with what looked like the fourth moon right up
against Jupiter, that's exactly what you saw -- the fourth moon was either
just before moving behind the planet, or, was just emerging from behind
Jupiter.

As they orbit Jupiter, the moons pass behind or in front of Jupiter
("behind" or "in front of" as viewed from Earth). When a moon is passing in
front of Jupiter -- between Earth and Jupiter -- you can often see the
shadow of the moon falling on the surface of Jupiter -- it looks like a tiny
black dot on Jupiter's surface -- you may also be able to see the moon
against the planet, though seeing a moon in transit is more difficult than
seeing the shadow.

Search around -- or maybe someone can post a link -- for a schedule of
"Jovian events" or "the Galilean moons" -- you will find schedules covering
the next few weeks showing when shadow transits occur and when eclipses, or
occultations occur (that's when a moon moves behind Jupiter and is eclipsed
or occulted by the planet).

Another interesting pursuit is to keep track of the location of the moons --
observe Jupiter at the same time(s) for a month or so. Sketch what you see
at each observation, putting each moon in its position -- you'll quickly see
how they move around.

--

----
Joe S.

"AK" <a.kolnik@delete-this-part-that-stops-spam.verizon.net> wrote in
message news:3GXIb.10809$R_4.3336@nwrddc03.gnilink.net...
if
the
that
a
division
rings,

[Joe S.]

Here are some links.

These links describe and discuss Jupiter's moons:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/sub...er/moons.shtml
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/jupiter/moons.htm
http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo//ga...discovery.html


This one has a Java applet that shows the current positions of Jupiter's
four Galilean moons:
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~lgm/astr12...7/jupiter.html

--

----
Joe S.

"AK" <a.kolnik@delete-this-part-that-stops-spam.verizon.net> wrote in
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if
the
that
a
division
rings,

[JK]

I think we saw pretty much the same thing, as the lightest of the four was
closest to the planet. I understand your concern about light pollution, as
I was an hour from my usual viewing location near the city and I'm sure that
helped. I never noticed just how many bright lights there are everywhere.

"AK" <a.kolnik@delete-this-part-that-stops-spam.verizon.net> wrote in
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if
the
that