My First Planet Sighting

[Duns]

Prior to Santa bringing me my telescope I have borrowed a friends (Tasco starguide 80). I managed to get on Jupiter without the use of the computer thingy and I think I could see Jupiter's moons - 3 at 3 o'clock and 1 at nine (pinpricks of light). The question is - were they indeed the moons of Jupiter?

I didn't expect to get the buzz that I got - fantastic:)

[Chris H]

They were indeed, good work.

[alowen]

Yes, I believe they were. Wait till you see Saturn.

Sent using a nifty Android App from my HTC Sensation.

[robbie c]

Congrats on getting Jupiter I bet you cant wait for Santa to get here now

[pastiche]

Hi Duns,

Yes, They sound like the moons of Jupiter.

I really enjoy viewing over a few nights to see how they change position.

Have you downloaded Stellarium onto your computer yet? It's a free download and you can zoom in to see which moon is which.

[Bondred]

Amazing isnt it?

There are 5 moons visible tonight, fantastic viewing.

[estwing]

it's so good to look-up tonight!!

[heathenwoods]

It's an awesome feeling, eh?

Amazing isnt it?

There are 5 moons visible tonight, fantastic viewing.

I thought that earlier but checked it out in Stellarium and it looked like it was the star HIP 9569. Which kind of disappointed me but then I felt a bit better when I realised that I'd seen a star 665 light years away that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

[Duns]

Hi Duns,

Yes, They sound like the moons of Jupiter.

I really enjoy viewing over a few nights to see how they change position.

Have you downloaded Stellarium onto your computer yet? It's a free download and you can zoom in to see which moon is which.

Hi Pastiche

Yes got Stellarium - great tool - never tried the zoom feature I'll give it a go now:)

[Charon]

Nice one Duns this experience will stick in your memory.

[Bondred]

It's an awesome feeling, eh?

I thought that earlier but checked it out in Stellarium and it looked like it was the star HIP 9569. Which kind of disappointed me but then I felt a bit better when I realised that I'd seen a star 665 light years away that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

Really that's cool!!

Is that the one far to the left of Jupiter tonight?

Just checked, it's the one to the far right. that's pretty cool

[king-jaffethehutt]

My first planet was Mars, not half as impressive as Saturn or Jupiter.

Its the constant changing of position of its moons and cloud belt detail changes that make Jupiter my favorite :-)

[Astro Imp]

Really gives you a buzz when you see things like that.

To help you identify the moons and to get a heads up on transits and occultations as well as Stellarium have a look at Jupiter's Moons.

HTH.

Keep enjoying yourself.