All Rise!!

Its interesting that you cought the 4 moons of Jupiter, its tempting to think that you might be able to see them with the naked eye, although I've never heard of anyone who did.

Interesting point.
I Googled that question and got this, amongst other stuff,

denisdutton.com/jupiter_moons.htm

www.observers.org/reports/98.06.15.html

I'd say its possible but you'd want excellent conditions
and eyes like an eagle.
(or should that be Owl?)

I suppose if you select a time when they are furthest away from Jupiter, this would be the best time.
Their magnitude is well within reach at a dark site, its just the proximity to such a bright Jupiter overwhelms them.
Nice new avatar BTW.

Seanie,
Its always a tradeoff between how much background detail to show and how overexposed the moon is in a single shot exposure like this. I did bracket all the way up and down and the one shown seemed to be the best compromise. It takes 1/125 of a second to get the best moon detail, yet it takes about 8 seconds to get a half decent background at this time of night - so it really is a tradeoff.

That's true. And, as far as what I know about digital camera's, it's something film SLR's have the advantage of! What could have been done was to set your camera into the B option (I think it is) - for infinite (manual) exposure time. First, you set up your camera (on the tripod) with the area you want to take the (multiple) shot. With your lens cap on, lock your mirror, and begin your manual exposure. Then, when you have the camera steady, gently take the lens cap off for whatever time you want (in your case, approx 8 minutes). Then replace the cap.

Later, when your target (the Moon) comes into view, remove the cap again for only a few seconds as needed (because it is brighter), replace the cap again, and release the manual control. That's your balanced shot between Moon and foreground!

Practise does the trick justice!

Seanie wrote

And, as far as what I know about digital camera's, it's something film SLR's have the advantage of!

But Seanie, thats where Photoshop comes in to take back the advantage for DSLRs

It much easier to do that in photoshop,
I really like the face on the moon there, to me it always look like it is looking to your lower left,

I suppose if you select a time when they are furthest away from Jupiter, this would be the best time.
Their magnitude is well within reach at a dark site, its just the proximity to such a bright Jupiter overwhelms them.
Nice new avatar BTW.

Yeah, I may look like a poseur but what the hell!

I like to be able to see the people are on here....

As for seeing Jupiters moons..
its one for the challenge books!