Jupiter Observing

Jupiter is one of my favorite planets to observe.  I began viewing Jupiter back in middle school with my homemade 4.5" reflector, started viewing Jupiter with the C5+ as soon as I got it and bought the 7" Mak to really study Jupiter further.  This page is broken up into several sections:

• Visual Observing
• CCD Imaging
• Jupiter Links

Like I said, I enjoy viewing Jupiter and it has always been one of my favorite objects.  I typically spend about 1/2 hour viewing Jupiter when I'm out, I just look for about 10-15 minutes with various filters then I begin a drawing which takes 10-15 minutes.  If I know that there is an event happening with a moon or a GRS transit then I'll keep close watch on the clock to time them.  

I typically use filters when studying Jupiter.  The ones I find most useful are:

• 8 - Light Yellow:  A good overall contrast enhancer.
• 15 - Yellow:  A good contrast enhancer and shows up belts and festoons well.
• 58 - Green:  Good for the GRS and belt detail.
• 80A - Medium Blue:  My most used filter, really brings out the detail and enhances the GRS.
• 82A - Pale Blue:  Enhances cloud belts, GRS.  

The best information on a real observing program for Jupiter I've found is in The Planet Observer's Handbook by Fred W. Price.  This in invaluable for anyone wanting to do visual astronomy of the largest member of our solar system. 

2000 Opposition

Jupiter reaches opposition on November 27, 2000.  The viewing for this opposition began for me in mid-September when I got the 7" Mak and began getting up in the early morning hours to view Jupiter.  I have followed Jupiter throughout the opposition.   Here's a sampling of my observations:

09/26/2000    11:30-11:45 UT Ganymede leaving occultation	09/27/2000 12:30-12:40  UT Io shadow crossing disk.	09/27/2000 12:50-13:01 UT Io shadow by GRS	10/04/2000  13:25-13:30 UT GRS at limb
10/15/2000 11:45-12:05 UT Europa & shadow	10/19/2000  13:44-13:52 UT	10/20/2000  13:05-13:15 UT  GRS at meridian	10/22/2000  13:15-13:25 UT Europa in transit, light slash on NEB
10/24/2000  13:30-13:40 UT  Light slash in NEB still present	11/12/2000  09:55-10:01 UT	11/14/2000  13:00-13:15 UT  GRS at meridian

Drawings were put on the web by scanning into my HP S20 Photo Scanner and then doing some basic re-sizing.  

Note that North is UP, East is to the LEFT and West is to the RIGHT.  

Jupiter Links

Here are some of my favorite Jupiter links...

• ALPO Jupiter Page
• Great Red Spot Transit Times
• Jovian Moon Events
• Observation of the Planet Jupiter by Antonio Cidadao