GRS

[johnfosteruk]

I Couldn't get long on it with nephews and nieces to entertain and up early for the gym in the morrow but I just had a nice 20 mins on Jove and GRS with the best seeing I've had for it this year.

A definite orange hue to GRS, a dark patch in the NEB - barge perhaps, hints of the southern temperate belt I'm certain too. Very nice. 

John's suggestion recently to observe Jupiter while there's still some lingering daylight is definitely a top tip, I'm certain there's a noticeable improvement in contrast.

Hope you all get some views

 

[John]

I've just got back from my astro society meeting and popped the Tak 100 out. What a lovely sight despite missing the "twilight zone" due to the meeting !

 

 

[johnfosteruk]

I caught it just as GRS was fully off the following limb and on the disk, it is indeed a lovely sight, the bulk of the observation was at 125x but at 40x for a few minutes before wrapping up the wide view with the good seeing was spectacular, the 4 moons in an interesting configuration and a mag 6.4 star to the east of the fov completing the image, beautiful.

I'm hoping it's clear tomorrow, Io starts a transit at approx 22:27 and the shadow while the moon is still on the disk from about 23:21. If it's clear, get on it.

Edited May 19, 2017 by johnfosteruk

[Tigaroo]

Too cloudy here in Norfolk tonight ! But maybe a chance late tomorrow night ! 

[parallaxerr]

I've just come in from a 2 hour session on Jupiter. Had the C8 out cooling for a good hour and a half before hand and GRS was in my face from the first look. As it happens, I started observing before complete darkness and I think I agree on the contrast, it seemed to deteriorate in the last half hour or so.

Was testing out some new EP's tonight too, ES82° 8.8 & 11mm, bought specifically for planetary. Jupiter held up to the 11mm @ x185 no problem and the 8.8 @ x230 coped well earlier on too. The extra FOV has certainly helped reduce the amount of nudging my alt/az setup requires and I think that definitely helped me see more detail.

[cloudsweeper]

7 hours ago, parallaxerr said:

I've just come in from a 2 hour session on Jupiter. Had the C8 out cooling for a good hour and a half before hand and GRS was in my face from the first look. As it happens, I started observing before complete darkness and I think I agree on the contrast, it seemed to deteriorate in the last half hour or so.

Was testing out some new EP's tonight too, ES82° 8.8 & 11mm, bought specifically for planetary. Jupiter held up to the 11mm @ x185 no problem and the 8.8 @ x230 coped well earlier on too. The extra FOV has certainly helped reduce the amount of nudging my alt/az setup requires and I think that definitely helped me see more detail.

Yes - my recent (and first) sighting of the GRS was at twilight.  But I've yet to detect any colour in the Spot and belts - there's always something further to aim for: part of the fun and then sense of achievement!

I was using the ES 24/68 and 18/82, so lower mags (x85, 113) than Jon.

Doug.

 

[chiltonstar]

I had a half hour here between clouds (50% cover) with my 127 Mak - excellent seeing bizarrely as it was still spitting with rain, but the GRS was a nice pale salmon pink colour at x190. With the warm night and moisture came the first of the mosquitos!

Chris

[Stu]

31 minutes ago, cloudsweeper said:

But I've yet to detect any colour in the Spot and belts

I spent quite a few years convinced that I could not see any colour on Jupiter. I've no idea what has changed, but I certainly do now, and have been for a while.

[chiltonstar]

Must be my ancient eyes, but for me it changes colour every time I see it: more red this year than last, paler in a Mak cpd with my fracs, paler when there's Moon or haze and paler with higher mag than at say x125.

Chris

[Stu]

2 minutes ago, chiltonstar said:

Must be my ancient eyes, but for me it changes colour every time I see it: more red this year than last, paler in a Mak cpd with my fracs, paler when there's Moon or haze and paler with higher mag than at say x125.

Chris

Chtis, we all know your eyes are bionic! Perhaps someone is just tweaking the controls behind your back? ??

[chiltonstar]

8 minutes ago, Stu said:

Chtis, we all know your eyes are bionic! Perhaps someone is just tweaking the controls behind your back? ??

I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not...... I put it down to the very high caffeine levels in my blood (Espresso, Lavazza strength 5).

Chris

[Stu]

10 minutes ago, chiltonstar said:

I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not...... I put it down to the very high caffeine levels in my blood (Espresso, Lavazza strength 5).

Chris

It is absolutely a compliment Chris, your observing reports are amazing and show just how good your sight is. Apologies if it came across in the wrong way