Jupiter

There is no real difficulty in finding Jupiter as its often one of the brightest objects in the sky. It is cold and remote, but so large that it normally outshines Mars and most of the other planets.

Jupiter shows the beginnings of a disk in binoculars. With a power of X30 belts begin to appear, and a 3-inch refractor working with a magnification of x150 or more will show a great amount of detail in the turbulent cloud belts.

Jupiter spins so rapidly that a period of 5 minutes will reveal a slight drift from right to left.

A lookout should be kept for any notable colour. Vivid hues never occur, but when present the Great Red Spot is a greyish-pink colour, while the equatorial zone is the colour of rather strong coffee. In the past Jupiter was much more colourful than it is today, and there may be a long cycle of activity.

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