Jupiter, moon ballet and GRS

[mjpfc]

I Got home very late last night, and the sky was clear after a month or so of dreech, so out I went

to see some Geminids (4).

Fortunately though I had taken the newt out with me and so had a pop at Jupiter alond with some deep sky objects.

Although fighting the dew quickly became a problem it ended up a nice little session.

I saw the Great Red (smaller than it used to be in my day) Spot heading for the centre of the planets disc, and

then spent 25 minutes or so just before and after 01:00 watching Ganymead trying to Hide IO from our sight,

(One reason why I caught so few meteors I suppose)

There are plenty of these Occultations and eclipses to be seen through this winter, and as much mag as the sky will

stand will be rewarded. It was great seeing the solar system moving moment to moment, not something we get to observe

too often.

Only got my 10mm lens on it this morning so the discs where tiny, but I will try 6mm on the next events if the sky will take it.

Regards, Mick.

[Astro Imp]

Nice report.

Lets's hope we get some good skies for all the Jovian activity coming up.

Good luck.

[stevend]

There are plenty of these Occultations and eclipses to be seen through this winter, and as much mag as the sky will

stand will be rewarded.

Kidsastronomer @cloudynights has started posting them. http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/482784-jupiters-moons-occultations-2/

For the period from today to January 15th 2015;

This is a list of upcoming moon-moon occultations. It is in UT. The first named satellite is the one in front and the second named satellite is the one in behind the other. Any other notes will be after the names of the moons:

12/18/14 04:56 Europa : Ganymede

12/18/14 18:33 Europa : Ganymede

12/19/14 22:34 Europa : Io

12/20/14 05:38 Europa : Io

12/21/14 04:16 Ganymede : Io

12/21/14 16:41 Ganymede : Io : Jupiter   A total eclipse right near the limb of Jupiter

12/22/14 02:10 Ganymede : Io

12/23/14 11:10 Io : Europa : Jupiter   Very slight eclipse right on the disk of Jupiter

12/23/14 16:03 Callisto : Ganymede

12/23/14 19:05 Europa : Io

12/25/14 23:07 Europa : Ganymede   Merry Christmas!

12/27/14 08:26 Europa : Io

12/28/14 08:47 Ganymede : Io   Total Eclipse

12/28/14 15:28 Ganymede : Io   Total Eclipse

12/29/14 15:27 Ganymede : Io

12/30/14 21:43 Europa : Io

01/01/15 03:27 Europa : Ganymede   Happy New Year! This is a very slight eclipse

01/02/15 02:58 Europa : Ganymede

01/03/15 10:56 Europa : Io

01/05/15 08:21 Ganymede : Io

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Great report. Always love to see the Galilean ballet.