Have you ever seen the Great Red Spot?

[JonnyP]

it's clearly visible right now

http://stargazerslou...ads-up-for-grs/

It certainly is. I've just been watching it move around the planet for the last couple of hours. I also watched Io move behind Jupiter but didn't trust my eyes so had to check (on WinJUPOS) that it went behind not in front! I was right!

[DazC]

I've tried and tried but still i can't see it. I've tried uping the mag, i've tried low mag, sat and watched jupiter for over an hour and a half when i knew the GRS was transiting but still no joy.

I'm beginning to wonder if my scope is just too small to show it?

D.C

[Stu]

Which scope do you have Daz, can't seem to see.

It should be viewable with most scopes, I've seen with a 66mm refractor before, though I think it may be more subtle this year and so harder to spot.

It will depend on viewing conditions, seeing, and also collimating and cooling for newts/ maks.

Last point, which programme are you using to get the timings for GRS transits? Stellarium can be incorrect if the parameter for the GRS location is not updated. Sky & Telescope have accurate predictions, or search for Jupiter 2.0 which is a useful predictor programme for moon/shadow transits plus GRS

Keep trying!! You'll get it sooner or later

Cheers

Stu

[Moonshane]

I agree with Stu. You are doing everything right and perhaps are just not lucky with timings. the Sky&Telescope site was accurate for me last night so will be next time. the good news it that there's one tonight just as it gets properly dark although the fact it will still be low might not help.

12(MM)/11(DD)/2012(YYYY) @ 17:57 UT from http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3304091.html?page=1&c=y

and also 12/12/2012 @ 23:44 UT which will be better still

note that the time given is when the GRS will be central so you'll see it approx an hour either side as it comes and then goes around the limbs. good luck!

[Moonshane]

ps the best thing to look for is the SEB tailing off to a point. it only does this where the GRS is so if you have the tail off you are in the right place.

[tich]

I saw it last week using my 80mm refractor & 13mm eyepiece, I have managed to capture it although it was earlier in the year & I think it was more luck than judgement.

[earth titan]

Nice shot.

Probably the most enigmatic thing in the Universe.

Typed by me on my fone, using fumms... Excuse eny speling errurs.

[DazC]

Which scope do you have Daz, can't seem to see.

It should be viewable with most scopes, I've seen with a 66mm refractor before, though I think it may be more subtle this year and so harder to spot.

It will depend on viewing conditions, seeing, and also collimating and cooling for newts/ maks.

Last point, which programme are you using to get the timings for GRS transits? Stellarium can be incorrect if the parameter for the GRS location is not updated. Sky & Telescope have accurate predictions, or search for Jupiter 2.0 which is a useful predictor programme for moon/shadow transits plus GRS

Keep trying!! You'll get it sooner or later

Cheers

Stu

Hi Stu,

I'm using a Celestron 130eq, and yes, I've beem using Stellarium.

Doh!!!!

I'll take a look at Sky & Telescope, thanks for the the heads up.

D.C

[Stu]

Well I'm sure you'll see it with that if conditions are right. I think the Jupiter 2.0 programme which you can find on the web is probably the most reliable, or the Sky & Telescope tables

Good luck

Stu

[Mr Fiery Jack]

Yep, seen it loads of times. The view last night was pretty good in my dob at 200x the seeing was good if not the transparency.

[peteuplink]

I've only even seen it through online scopes like iTelescope or Slooh.

[peteuplink]

Oops! I didn't mean iTelescope... That can't be used for images of planets.