Posted on 11/28/2012 6:28:42 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: On December 3 (UT), Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, will be at opposition, opposite the Sun in planet Earth's sky, shining brightly and rising as the Sun sets. That configuration results in Jupiter's almost annual closest approach to planet Earth. So, near opposition the gas giant offers earthbound telescopes stunning views of its stormy, banded atmosphere and large Galilean moons. For example, this sharp series was recorded on the night of November 16/17 from the island of Sardinia near Dolianova, Italy. North is up in the images that show off Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot, and planet girdling dark belts and light zones. Also seen in transit is Jupiter's volcanic moon Io, its round, dark shadow tracking across the Jovian cloud tops as the sequence progresses left to right.
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[Credit & Copyright: Alessandro Bianconi]
You can see Jupiter now - it’s the bright star above the full moon.
Follow the Bouncing Jove!
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Strangers in the night
Two lonely planets, we were strangers in the night
Up to the moment when we said our first hello little did we know
Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away
By Jove, that’s Io.
What are the two star-like lights next to the moon tonight?
One is above it to the left and is very bright. The other is directly to the right of it and farther away.
Totally cool picture, Mr. Civilizations! I love Io’s shadow on Jupiter’s clouds.
Hubby got an eyeful when he came home this evening. The moon was risen, and Jupiter was nearby. As he crested the hill near our house, he got a perfect view of the two of them.
He didn’t know which planet it was, but thanks to APOD, I knew and enlightened him when he came in the door.
So thank you again, my friend.
The Dance of Io
That’s Aldebaran, the bright star in Taurus.
My son told me about Google Sky View. You install it on your android and just point the phone up in the sky. It will map whatever is in the sky with labels. Kinda like GPS but for the stars.
Sorry Google Sky Map, not view
I was wondering that too. It’s pretty neat. Probably it’ll be in an upcoming APoD, or an extra, extra. :’)
Thanks ToL!
The brighter light is Jupiter. The other one is Aldeberan.
Or maybe it’s time for “width=500”. :’)
There’s an app for the IPhone too. It’s called Night Sky and it’s free. It’s pretty cool and works the same way. It shows you the constellations too.
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