Astronomy · Observing Logs · Tag · jupiter

The following are all the observing reports tagged with the term jupiter displayed with the latest report first. If the report contains a direct reference to the tag then that part of the report will be displayed, otherwise only the report heading details will be present and you should click on the link to view the full report.

With moderate seeing I could push the magnification up on Jupiter to the barlowed 10mm Plossl. This gave a good view of the cloud bands on the planet, their colours darker than the surrounding lighter-coloured gasses and clouds. Jupiter again had a full complement of the main four moons though they were not this time in a straight line.

The seeing was much steadier than when I viewed Jupiter earlier in the week. All four moons were visible whilst I was able to push the magnification up by using the 10mm Plossl with the Barlow. This gave a very pleasant view of the planet with details coming in and out of view as the sky quality changed. The Northern Equatorial band was very obvious whilst the Southern band was less so this evening.

Jupiter has been a feature of cold, clear winter evenings, found high in the south-west as the light has faded. Tonight it was sinking slowly towards the murky western horizon with its retinue of four moons. In the 2" the view was crisp and well defined with some colour and detail apparent on the surface. Using the 10mm and the barlow it was easy to pick out in moments of clear seeing, first the Northern Equitorial band, and then the much dimmer Southern Equatorial band, which is now slowly returning to view after its disappearance last year.

At the very beginning of the session we had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Jupiter before it disappeared below the horizon. With all 4 moons visible the globe itself was nothing more than a smudge of bright orange and fainter yellows swimming in the murk of the atmosphere.

After spending some time looking in the area around Antares (and mistaking Jupiter for Antares) we trained the scope on the giant redy-colour point of light that had now risen in the east to bag our 4th planet of the evening. Again poor seeing conditions meant not much was discernible on Jupiter itself, but all four Galilean moons were on display. I wrapped up the evening with a final shot of the earthlit moon.

The view of Jupiter, now rising in the East was one of the best I've had in this telescope notwithstanding the problems associated with it still being close to the horizon. The four moons shone brightly, and the planet itself, though its edges swirled in the turbulence, the two prominent cloud bands were easily visible, their orangey red colours vivid in the eyepiece.

I only looked at Jupiter briefly before it disappeared behind some trees - it was very bright, being only one day after opposition, but details were again elusive thanks to poor atmospheric conditions.

Once the clouds dispersed I moved over to Jupiter for my first view of the Jovian giant for almost a year! Even at x50 the Northern and Southern Equatorial Bands were clearly visible, whilst the moons shone brightly. Increasing the power improved the view until at x200 where, although the planet was large, it was swimming in atmospheric turbulence. Even so, to see it again was good, and I shall be checking it out again once I get a better night.