Jupiters Great Red Spot: Heads Up

[John]

Just a quick "heads up" for those who have scopes out that Jupiters GRS is approaching the central meridian of the planet right now and is looking rather grand 

Quite a clear red tint to it and a nicely defined light rim to the hollow in which the GRS sits partially embedded in the planets south equatorial belt. Plenty of other detail within the SEB and NEB is visible too to the keen observer right now

I'm using my ED120 refractor at 150x - 225x.

[Stu]

Nice one John. Unfortunately I am 'without scope' tonight, but hope you enjoy the views :-)

Stu

[Moonshane]

if only. I can hear rain running down the drainpipes down the side of the house.....

[Stu]

Nice clear skies here. Typical!

Moon was looking nice earlier

[scarp15]

Thanks for the detail John as to what is currently revealed, tantalising account. Reasonable forcast here for Saturday night, therefore expect to set up the scope, C8,  applying a similar magnification range.

[Naemeth]

Thanks for the heads-up John, would love to have a go with my 10" dob when I can .

[John]

I use this little Sky & Telescope applet to let me know when the GRS will be on the central meridian of the planet:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3304091.html?page=1&c=y

And this one to show the positions of the 4 main moons and the timing of transit events:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/javascript/jupiter

There are other tools to do the above of course but I find they have served well over the past few years.

[cotterless45]

Crazy out there tonight, just sat back and watched Jupiter at x240. It was crystal clear and steady,

Old Nick.

[Pig]

Thanks John

I didn't make it out last night I would have loved to have seen it. How long will it be in the same position for,  do you know?

[Stu]

Thanks John

I didn't make it out last night I would have loved to have seen it. How long will it be in the same position for, do you know?

Jupiter spins about once every ten hours if I remember correctly. If you look at the Sky & Telescope website there is an app which predicts when the GRS will be visible, as well as moon and shadow transits, very useful

Stu

[Stu]

Here is a link. I use the iPhone app mostly.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3307071.html

Stu

[Pig]

Here is a link. I use the iPhone app mostly.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3307071.html

Stu

Thank you Stu

[John]

It was great until around 1:00 am then quite thick cloud rolled in and it was pouring with rain by 2:00 am. I'm pleased I managed to catch the GRS and a few binary stars in the clear sky time available