Posted on 09/23/2022 11:27:46 AM PDT by Red Badger
Deep Jet Streams in Jupiter's Atmosphere
This view of Jupiter’s turbulent atmosphere from NASA’s Juno spacecraft includes several of the planet’s southern jet streams. Citizen scientist Tanya Oleksuik created this color-enhanced image using data from the JunoCam camera. The original image was taken on December 30, 2020. Credit: Image data: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS, Image processing by Tanya Oleksuik © CC NC SA
When Jupiter reaches opposition on Monday, September 26, stargazers can expect incredible views of Jupiter the entire night. From the viewpoint of Earth’s surface, opposition occurs when an astronomical object rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, placing the object and the Sun on opposite sides of Earth.
Every 13 months, Jupiter is in opposition, making it look bigger and brighter than at any other time of the year.
But that’s not all. This time, Jupiter will also make its closest approach to Earth in the last 59 years. This happens because Earth and Jupiter do not orbit the Sun in perfect circles, resulting in the planets passing each other at different distances throughout the year. This year’s views will be super extraordinary because Jupiter’s closest approach to Earth rarely coincides with opposition. Jupiter will be approximately 367 million miles in distance from Earth at its closest approach, which is about the same distance it was in 1963. The gigantic planet is approximately 600 million miles away from Earth at its farthest point.
“With good binoculars, the banding (at least the central band) and three or four of the Galilean satellites (moons) should be visible,” said Adam Kobelski. He is a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “It’s important to remember that Galileo observed these moons with 17th-century optics. One of the key needs will be a stable mount for whatever system you use.”
Jupiter Hubble
This photo of Jupiter, taken from the Hubble Space Telescope on June 27, 2019, features the Great Red Spot, a storm the size of Earth that has been raging for hundreds of years. Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Simon (Goddard Space Flight Center), and M.H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley)
Kobelski recommends a larger telescope to see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and bands in more detail. For example, a 4-inch-or-larger telescope and some filters in the green to blue range would enhance the visibility of these features.
An ideal viewing location will be at a high elevation in a dark and dry area, according to Kobelski.
“The views should be great for a few days before and after September 26,” Kobelski said. “So, take advantage of good weather on either side of this date to take in the sight. Outside of the Moon, it should be one of the (if not the) brightest objects in the night sky.”
Although astronomers believe that 79 moons of Jupiter have been detected in total, the giant planet has 53 named moons. Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto — the four largest moons — are called the Galilean satellites. They are named after Galileo Galilei, the man who first observed them in 1610. In binoculars or a telescope, the Galilean satellites should appear as bright dots on either side of Jupiter during opposition.
Moon and Jupiter Over Wasatch Mountains 
As the Moon rose over the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City on Feb. 27, 2019, the planet Jupiter could be seen, along with three of its largest moons. Stargazers should have a similar view during Jupiter in Opposition on Monday, September 26. Credit: NASA/Bill Dunford
NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which entered orbit around Jupiter on July 4, 2016, is dedicated to exploring the planet and its moons. Juno began its journey in 2011 and reached Jupiter five years later. For the last six years, the spacecraft has provided incredible images and data about Jupiter’s vibrant atmosphere, interior structures, internal magnetic field, and magnetosphere.
Scientists believe studying Jupiter can lead to breakthrough discoveries about the formation of the solar system. Juno’s mission was recently extended until 2025 or until the end of the spacecraft’s life. Learn more about Juno.
The next major project for Jupiter exploration is the Europa Clipper. This spacecraft will explore Jupiter’s iconic moon, Europa, which is known for its icy shell and vast ocean that lies beneath its surface. NASA scientists aim to find whether Europa has conditions able to sustain life. Europa Clipper’s targeted launch is currently scheduled for no earlier than October 2024.
Learn more about the giant planet. And if you want to know what else is happening in the sky for September, check out Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s latest “What’s Up” video:
VIDEO AT LINK...............
What are some skywatching highlights in September 2022? Mars is on the move this month, forming a “red triangle” with bright red stars Aldebaran and Betelgeuse. Saturn and Jupiter fly with the Moon on the 9th, and then the Moon slides over closer to Jupiter in the morning sky on the 11th. At the end of the month, September 23rd brings the equinox, meaning day and night are of nearly equal length, and a change of seasons is afoot.
Meh. I'm 63 so I've seen it already...
Two of the biggest thrills I’ve had in my life was to clearly see Jupiter and Saturn through a fairly modest backyard telescope. There’s nothing like being able to make out the bands of Jupiter with it’s moons and the rings of Saturn in real time with your own eyes..
We had our monthly meeting (astronomy club) Wed. nite, I saw Jupiter through our 10” refractor, but the air was too turbulent to get a good sharp image. We couldn’t make out any bands at all. I think we should’ve tried filters, as the image was quite bright.
Our refractor is a 10” f/13 doublet with a
tri-space corrector, making it a 5-element system. On good nights, it’s incredible.
10” refractor is pretty good sized for a club. Probably doesn’t fit in the backseat of a Tesla!
Me too but maybe my luck will turn around on this run. 😃
In my 115mm dia. scope, Jupiter and Saturn are amazing. People can’t believe that they are looking at the actual object. I have been accused of putting a picture of Saturn in front of the lens.
And don’t get me started on the Moon…😀
🔭
Yes indeed.
The first time you see either one is unforgettable.
I have a few eight-by-ten colour glossy pictures of Jupiter taken in the 80s by our top secret space program
I will have to try and find them
Nope. It’s housed in a dome. When we were building the observatory, we were waiting forever for the dome. There weren’t any to be had in the size we needed.
Finally, the manufacturer called and said one became available, do we want it?
Yup, we wanted it!
The dome was originally slated to go to Iran.
Due to a trade embargo put in place by President Reagan, we ended up with it.
https://rockfordamateurastronomers.com/
To blazes with binoculars. I’m setting up my telescope for this show!
Top ten closest oppositions, +/- 100 years from the present
Size of Jupiter in arc-seconds in last column:
1951-Oct-02 15:12:00.000 49.926
1939-Sep-27 22:52:48.000 49.888
1963-Oct-07 07:31:12.000 49.880
2022-Sep-26 20:00:00.000 49.877
2034-Oct-01 12:19:12.000 49.871
2117-Oct-01 09:26:24.000 49.866
2058-Oct-10 20:57:36.000 49.864
2046-Oct-06 04:38:24.000 49.859
2010-Sep-22 03:40:48.000 49.858
2070-Oct-15 13:16:48.000 49.852
The ten smallest, there’s not much difference:
2076-Mar-31 22:52:48.000 44.22823
2005-Apr-06 18:04:48.000 44.22869
2017-Apr-11 10:24:00.000 44.24385
2088-Apr-05 15:12:00.000 44.25058
2064-Mar-27 06:33:36.000 44.2519
1922-Apr-07 20:57:36.000 44.25462
1993-Apr-02 01:45:36.000 44.25559
1934-Apr-12 13:16:48.000 44.25957
1981-Mar-28 09:26:24.000 44.27511
2100-Apr-11 07:31:12.000 44.27767
I used to be a member of an astronomy club but I let that go for over a decade.
Where I live now the night sky is a lot more open.
The scope weighs a ton so I often use some good binoculars for quick viewing when it’s suitable.
Went to the Newark Planetarium when I was a kid and left stunned. I wanted to be an astronomer. Started a club called the Smith and Jones Space Academy Observatory that all my cousins and the neighborhood kids joined. (Names changed to protect those involved.) The lady next door had a rocket on her wall because they bought a Rocket Oldsmobile, and she gave me the rocket for my “clubhouse” (our basement).
Never went into it for real. But I’m still surprised that some people don’t know the basics.
Every kid should get taken to a good planetarium show for kids.
My refractor and mount together weigh about 70#. I have to put it all together in segments.
Our 10” at the observatory is easily hundreds of pounds. We’ve had it down twice over the years. Scaffold, block and tackle, and six of us with slings underneath, carrying it like pallbearers🙄 to the other room to do work on the clock drive.
Binoculars are great! A lot lighter than a scope, for sure!
I have a 10x50, a 10x42, and a 15x70. The last go on a tripod.
I use the 10x42 for bird watching.
Wow 10 inch refractor!
It’s a beast. I have to learn how to post pictures, I would be glad to show it, we are really proud of it.
Did you buy it or make it?
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