MarkRadice

Cheers Geof. I always admire the excellent images posted from more tropical locations and wish mine would show the same fine detail. Oh well, Jupiter is climbing higher now so there is always time. On another note, Wednesday morning will show another shadow transit so I will be setting an early alarm clock - and checking my collimation. Thanks once again!

Great Red Spot was looking good on 15 July. I even managed a short timelapse too. 20210715 Jupiter 1 hour 4fps.mp4

Wow, both are lovely pictures. Love the shadow transit and Great Red Spot. Where are you based? It looks like you have a lovely spot.

Hi @neiil phillips I meant just wait an hour and Jupiter’s appearance changes as new features and moons rotate into view. I feel there is a joke in there that I am not getting - there normally is when Uranus is mentioned (or the moons of Uranus!). 🤭🤭

Well done! If you get bored with Jupiter, just wait an hour.

Cheers chaps, yes the dawn chorus is quite deafening. A lovely way to start the day / finish observing! Neil - those white ovals are like pearls on a string aren’t they? Fascinating to look at - as is the formation at the leading edge of Oval BA.

Glad that conditions are improving, despite the dreadfully early hour. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the skies clear again as I am missing the big fella!

My last observation was on 24 June – just a few days after midsummer – with the C11. Although this side does not have the dynamism of the Great Red Spot, it was lovely to see the long line of white spots in the southern region and the details around Oval BA. Interestingly I dug out my best image of Jupiter (taken with the old 6-inch SW Mak) before it disappeared into the southern murk and was astonished to see the difference in a few years! The equatorial zone has changed completely, the southern equatorial belt has faded away and the tropical zones have evolved. All this visible in an amateur telescope, wonderful! I also made another short video of my session – trying to speak quietly so I don’t disturb my neighbours and also with the lack of sleep!

Thats come out really well! You’re obviously having clear skies - fingers crossed the weather improves soon.

Such a shame that UKHO are struggling. The did a fantastic job on my obsy and warm room in 2018 despite awful weather and a personal tragedy on their side. Good luck with your engagement with them, fingers crossed it is all resolved satisfactorily.

Hi Mike - you’ve got it! A double gin and tonic - or in this case a double double.

Martin Thank you for setting up this competition. What about those of us who have already suffered through the horrors of an 0230 alarm clock to capture Jupiter? I guess I will have to try again - although the skies here seem to be permanently opaque!

It looks like it's going to be a beauty. 16-inches is where a telescope is getting big - and you'll have some dark Herefordshire skies to exploit. Are you making your cell or have you bought that in (and apols if I missed that in your post).

Wonderful description, I like that. You are absolutely correct. When I look at Orion Nebula or Andromeda Galaxy it remains unchanged, yet Jupiter changes every hour ! Thanks, Pete. Fingers crossed for some more clear skies soon.

Gosh what an amazing image. Would you mind describing your approach to planning and capturing such an observation? It sounds fascinating.

Cheers, chaps. I am so glad you enjoyed it. I love exploring the planets and thoroughly enjoyed Mars last year (until I broke my foot!) and am so excited to be exploring Jupiter as it slowly climbs back into the northern skies. I realised that, after lots of deep sky observing and nearly completing the Herschel 400, I rather enjoy the dynamic worlds of our solar system. Really pleased you both got a great view. It is rather wonderful isn't it? I quite agree! It is the fuel that lubricates the operator into a fully effective system. I have been enjoying your early pictures too, Neil. By the way do you send your images to the BAA? I shall look out for your notes. Can't wait - although as I type this it is pouring with rain so I am now catching up with my sleep!

So exciting to be imaging the largest planet in the solar system! Unfortunately, my last session was cut short by cloud but surprisingly still revealed pleasing results. It is amazing that amateur equipment can resolve details around the Great Red Spot and the disc of Jupiter’s moon Ganymede – through thin cloud and against a blue sky! Fingers crossed for more observations later this year. Geekery section: 2 minute video files of ~10k frames recorded with C11 f20 ASI224MC and ADC, stack of best 1,000, best 3 grainy images derotated in winjuops. I also made a short video describing the process - albeit at ~0300 in the morning!

Thank you for all kind comments! I had another go this morning - despite still having the shakes from my covid jab. As for waking one's partner, I did drop my camera once which resulted in gentle (I thought) foul language. The following morning my neighbour popped round to check all was well. He, unfortunately, spoke to my wife so I was in double trouble for i) disturbing the neighbours in the small hours and ii) nearly breaking my new camera!

Mike - there’s loads to observe with your scope, enough for a lifetime, and yes the collimation will make a difference. Of course, if you can’t sleep you can get up early and see Jupiter and Saturn in the small hours. stu - thank you, really appreciated and I hope you enjoy those doubles.

Go for it, Richard. Glass in one hand and glass in the telescope make a perfect summer evening.

What lovely pictures, Neil. You are burning the midnight and early morning oil with your repeated observations of these early planets. Fingers crossed we get some good conditions over the weekend and next weekend. Keep the pictures coming!

Alas no! Saturn is behind a tree from my “low planet observing spot”. Like you, I am tempted to burn the midnight and early morning oil on Saturn and then Jove over the weekend. I am, though, having my second COVID jab so I hope I am not shaking too much I can’t get some observing in. Go for it, old chap. As for the barges, they are really prominent. I knew the europa shadow transit was due to get underway during my planned observing slot and at first mistook the dark barge for the shadow. Gracias el presidente (former). That means a lot.

Cheers Neil. Not sure I like the alarm clock but yes, rather wonderful to be seeing our old friend climbing back into the northern skies again.

Hurray! Jupiter is back. Getting up early to observe our old friend Jupiter is always a pleasure - even if the alarm goes off at 0300. The seeing was pretty good despite the big fella's low altitude, the morning mist and the brightening sky. The image below shows: Great red spot exiting stage right Shadow of Europa entering the left - although Europa is out of shot 2 dark barges in the NEB The NEB has a darker central band The SEB is fading and now appears very pale. I took a number of video files from 0249Z to 0328Z although only two were notably sharp due to seeing & mist using ASI224MC through C11 with ADC. Best two were derotated in winjupos (having been stacked and sharpened). Wishing you clear skies!

Clear skies to you all! With the long summer twilight hampering observing, I put together a short video describing some of my favourite summer double stars - all observable with small telescopes and binoculars (to varying degrees) - and observable as dusk falls. What's your favourite summer double (mine is a G&T) with the Double-Double, Epsilon Lyrae. I just love the tight separation of the two sets of two stars. Fantastic.