Jupiter stunning tonight

I'll post a full report (and sketch) tomorrow, but the seeing is quite good tonight (at least up here in Louth). Even with Jupiter as low as it is, I got my best views of it ever. Festoons, barges, oval BA and bands galore!

Get out if you have a chance.

-- Jeff.

Seeing was excellent last night from Tullamore. Apart from some light fog later in the night after midnight, there was plenty to see! There was a hint of a Moon halo, which I thought was a little odd as they're more supposed to be seen at Full phase. It has been nice to see the Summer Triangle for a while too... Awh, the memories...

Seanie.

Here's the observing report:

Jupiter 9/9/2009 22:01 UT; Pickering 8, NELM 5
400mm Mak-Cass @ 200X

Again, excellent seeing elsewhere spoiled by Jupiter's low altitude, although not quite as badly this time. (Local seeing probably in the Pickering 6 range.)

South polar region subtly shaded, but with very apparent dark barge int the STB preceeding Oval BA. Several much lower contrast dark patches also appear to be trailing Oval BA, but I believe these are just a contrast effect with the STB showing through between white ovals. If so, that would be my first sighting of a white oval.

Below that the SEB is fairly uniform side-to-side, but shows three distinct bands top-to-bottom (with the center somewhat lighter). NEB very busy with 3 dark barges extending down into NTrZ, each slightly trailing a festoon extending up into the EZ. I've seen hints of festoons before, but the shape of these were quite clear (although still very low contrast).

Very narrow but clear NTB and somewhat less clear NNTB. NTZ fairly light between the two, but NNTZ below the NNTB pretty much the same shade as the north polar region.

Local seeing wasn't really good enough to compare the TV Plossls and CZJ orthos optically. The CZJs are much more comfortable, however, with no nose issues and fewer constraints on eye placement.

Spent ages observing Jupiter also last night.
No jet stream over us and a stable anti cyclone
Made for excellent seeing.
Got very hazy and dew was a major prob
At around 3 when I called it a night.
Was up at 5 again though, moon was very
Nice also but it scattered a hell of a lot of light around.
Heres to same if not better seeing tonight!

Awesome report Jeff, the detail you have drawn there is stunning. 400mm scope? Wow...

"with no nose issues "
What do you mean?! Have you got a big nose? :lol:

Seanie.

Thanks, Seanie.

He he. Well, I do have a big nose... but that's not the problem here. :whistle:

My eyes are somewhat close together (65mm IPD) and rather deep set -- so larger eyeguards tend to hit the sides of my nose bridge before I can get them close enough to my eyes.

(It's only an issue when using binoculars or a binoviewer. If I can tilt my head to the side then I'm fine.)

-- Jeff.