Plotting the track of Jupiter with Stellarium

[StuartT]

Does anyone know if it's possible to plot out a line showing the position of Jupiter at various times? I want to figure out when it's going to be at its maximum altitude (which is kind of around now, I think).

Thanks

[Nik271]

For each night the max altitude will be near midnight GMT. You can calculate it from the declination of Jupiter for the day by the formula: 90+ (Jupiter declination)-(lattitude of location). 

Currently Jupiter is moving retrodrade, so its altitude will dip a little for the next month or so, then from the end of November it will start to increase again.

Edited October 8, 2022 by Nik271
corrected the formula

[StuartT]

12 hours ago, Nik271 said:

For each night the max altitude will be near midnight GMT. You can calculate it from the declination of Jupiter for the day by the formula: 90+ (Jupiter declination)-(lattitude of location). 

Currently Jupiter is moving retrodrade, so its altitude will dip a little for the next month or so, then from the end of November it will start to increase again.

thanks. But the RA matters too presumably? (since that will mean Jupiter soon isn't visible at night) 

[Nik271]

Oh yes, sorry, the midnight timing is only around opposition, after that the highest point is reached about 3-4 minutes earler each day. 

In summary we will have good views of Jupiter earlier and earlier in the evenings, all the way to January, and it will be rising up to 35-40 degrees viewed  from the UK.

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by Nik271

[StuartT]

13 minutes ago, Nik271 said:

Oh yes, sorry, the midnight timing is only around opposition, after that the highest point is reached about 3-4 minutes earler each day. 

In summary we will have good views of Jupiter earlier and earlier in the evenings, all the way to January, and it will be rising up to 35-40 degrees viewed  from the UK.

 

Thanks. Figured out how to get all the altitude data from Stellarium now. In fact, Jupiter looks like it will be better next year (as it will be up over 50 degrees for me)

[StuartT]

I've plotted the transit altitude of Jupiter from my location up to 2025 (during astronomical dark only). In case it's of interest. Some nice observing windows there.

 

[Orlando Gonzalez]

This is very helpful. Thank you.

[Nik271]

The next couple of years will be good for Jupiter observation! Already this one is far better than the previous years.