Jupiter II was in transit of it’s mother planet, but I couldn’t see the little satellite through my XT10. The glare from the larger planet washed out any evidence of it’s smaller moon on it’s face. I made the attempt using an 18mm Vixen LV and a 3x Barlow. At 200x, the details of the giant gas planet were smeared across it’s face. I could see the divisions between the equatorial and temperate belts, but any instabilities or vortices were lost in the instability of our own atmosphere.

Thin clouds plagued our sky, the waxing Moon was casting a bright glare across the southeastern sky, and the heavy content of moisture in the air was evident. At 8:15pm, the seeing conditions were not very conducive to a productive night of observing. I would make the best of it however, as clear dark nights have been very limited this year, and my telescopes really needed a workout.

While waiting for Europa to clear the western limb, I turned the scope to the Moon; which beckoned for it’s observational moment in the spotlight. I spent the next half hour exploring craters and mountainous regions at 66x, 133x, and 200x.

After my visit with the Moon I reduced my visual power to 2x and explored the mountainous regions of food on my dinner plate. With the GRS transit not beginning until 9:45 or so, I had time to partake in my other favorite past time, eating.

At 9:50 I returned to the scope and dropped in my 8mm Stratus, for a 150x look at Jupiter. The equatorial bands were a little clearer than before, but at this time I still couldn’t make out any features of the GRS. I knew that it should be on the eastern limb, and I would have to give it some time to move away from the glare of the limb before being able to pick it out. Europa had just cleared the western limb, and I could see it poised in the darkness just west of the giant planet. Europa’s shadow should have also been evident on the eastern face, but I couldn’t see any sign of it.

I toyed with different powers, and focus until I got the best possible view of the planet; which came at 200x with the 18mm Vixen, a 3x Barlow and my variable polarizing filter. The smaller festoons and clouds never materialized, but I was finally able to make out the GRS at approximately 10:38pm. Several times, during moments of better seeing, I thought I caught glimpses of Europa’s shadow, but I never could confirm a sighting.

Dew was heavy on the scope, and I took a moment to defog the finder, and made sure the eyepiece was clear as well. It was at this time that I remembered Ganymede was going to partially occult Io, but I didn’t remember the time. I checked in on the pair at 200x, and found that Ganymede had already passed Io. The duo was still close together, but I had missed the occultation. A later check in Starry Night would reveal that I had missed the event while trying to get a visual on the GRS.

Seeing that Andromeda was now high in the sky, I swung the scope up and dropped in the 18mm Vixen. The galaxy appeared as a soft glow at the core, undoubtedly an effect of the Moon’s glow.  I dropped the power to 48x, but that did little to brighten the galaxy.  M32 wasn’t even evident in this view, but M110 glowed softly on the northern edge of the field of view.

With dew building up again on the finder, and the scope dripping with the stuff; I decided to pack it in for the night. The targets were few, but with seeing conditions the way they were, I was pleased with the outing. Next week is looking more promising, and I’ll be ready to take another shot on the next clear night with an arsenal of telescopes, and maybe cameras,  pointed at the sky.

Thanks for taking us along on your visit with Jupiter and its moons, Kevin.  It's been 5 weeks since I've had a chance to get out and I needed the observing fix, even if it was vicarious.  It is amazing how quickly time passes while watching those Jovian events.  I'm glad you had the chance to see the GRS.

Nice report Kevin. I've been in observation withdrawal and haven't been able to get a fix going on 6 weeks now. I could spend hours at the ep looking at Jupiter's mini solar system. Just always seems to be captivating.

Kevin Bozard:

After my visit with the Moon I reduced my visual power to 2x and explored the mountainous regions of food on my dinner plate

So Kevin, are you saying that your vision while eating is twice as good as mine or that your nose was twice as close to the plate?

Not a bad good considering the conditions.

Thanks for the view.

L

Kevin Bozard:

After my visit with the Moon I reduced my visual power to 2x and explored the mountainous regions of food on my dinner plate. With the GRS transit not beginning until 9:45 or so, I had time to partake in my other favorite past time, eating.

You had me with that one.  I read "2x" and started wondering what eye piece would achieve that power before I read the rest of the paragraph.

I had a night similar to yours up here in NJ.  Slightly hazy, Moon washout, and dew everywhere!  But I got out as well (first time in I can't remember how long) and split some doubles from Dave Mitsky's list (Faint fuzzies, I figured, were out of the question).  I kept wiping off my Telrad and finderscope but the dew would go right back on there a minute later.  It didn't get to the secondary mirror or eye pieces, however, but a bank of clouds settled in and shut me down by 11pm.  I'll share my session as soon as I can write it up.

I enjoyed reading about your visit to Jupiter as Jupiter is too far gone for me now.  I get home from work too late and it is already behind this giant oak that dominates my SW sky.  Your post reminded me of the glimpse of detail I had *inside* the GRS a few months back that just blew me away.

Thanks.

leo731:

So Kevin, are you saying that your vision while eating is twice as good as mine or that your nose was twice as close to the plate?

I thought he meant his eyes were bigger than his belly.