Jupiter in the mist (almost Fog)

[Scooot]

I put my scope out optimistically about 6 when it was reasonably clear but with one thing and another I didn't venture outside until just after 8. By this time the conditions were pretty awful so I thought I'd have a quick look at Jupiter and the moon and then come in.

To give you an idea the only stars I could see looking towards orion were Rigel, a little hint of Betelgeuse, Procyon and higher up Castor and Pollux, that's about it.

I went to Jupiter first with my 17.3mm and I was immediately struck by the thought that it was quite good, quite sharp. The background sky was awful, very washed out, but nevertheless the planet was good. So I changed to the 10mm, this was still very good. I could clearly see all the main bands and was pleasantly surprised to see Io's shadow transiting. So I carried on looking feeling amazed at the view given the conditions. As I was watching I then thought I could see the GRS, IO's shadow was almost on it. At this point I thought I've got to try the Barlow. So I left the platform tracking whilst I nipped indoors to get it. To my surprise the view was just as good, and now the GRS was as clear as it could be, I could see the undulations in the band just below it (in the eyepiece) and the thinner band just above.

I spent about 45 mins watching until IO's shadow disappeared off the edge, I didn't bother with the moon at all and then came in.

i've seen Jupiter many times before but never in what seemed to be such terrible conditions. I would never had even bothered to look had I not already put the scope out.

I've since had a look at the weather forecast on Sky Harbinger for my area and I've noticed the transparency is very good tonight. So apart from the obvious of having a cooled scope etc I'm putting it down to good transparency, even though it was foggy.

Anyway that's it, felt I needed to share it.

[rory]

yep, i was hopeing for some chance to get some observing in tonight. but conditions went from poor to pants ! had a look at jupiter and the moons terminator for an hour ,thats about it.

the orion nebula was almost invisible,thats how bad it was .

[Matt Scunthorpe]

I had maybe 30mins out tonight. Only looked ay Jupiter and the moon. Like you say, conditions werent great but Jupiter seemed sharp enough. Beautiful views of the moon as normal.

Just good to out tbh, not had many oppertunities this year.