Observing Jupiter

elton · Post by **elton** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:47 pm

Questions for the planetary folks.

1. When observing Jupiter, how do you easily tell where is north/south?
2. I know Jupiter's atmosphere is constantly changing. Is there a resource on the internet which would show the latest features of Jupiter and its projected facing (something like the Mars map on Sky& Telescope site)?

Haven't viewed Jupiter much all this while, maybe because of the comfort that it's always there.

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:27 am

That is a good question. I am also not sure till now. Is the north the same north as Earth's north and the south the same as Earth's? I have saw pictures of sketches and the north and south, east and west is the same as that of the starchart (meaning the west and east are opposite sides of a topo ('normal') map). This is logical and easy to put on a sketch as west is determined by the direction of the star drifting in an eyepiece; the N,S,E can just put it in after knowing where is W. How about the Moon? Is the NSEW the same as the planets?

Post by **weixing** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:40 am

Hi,
See the attachment. I can't remember where I found this image, but it had been in my computer for a every long time.

Hope it help.

Have a nice day.

Post by **rcj** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:11 am

Hi Elton,
You may like to try JupSat Pro software, to supplement observations of Jupiter, including GRS transit times, satellite eclipses, and lots more.

http://www.nightskyobserver.com/JupSatPro/

Hope this helps. The software can be purchased but the download is free to try.

wucheeyiun · Post by **wucheeyiun** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:11 pm

Good resource, weixing.
lately, the jupiter views @ midnight is really great, can see the curly wurlies Temperate belts....as clear as anything. Kind of goose bump feeling.

elton · Post by **elton** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:34 pm

Weixing, useful pic. However, the north and south belts and zones roughly mirror each other. Besides the GRS, what surface features can you use to find your way around? JupSat may help by showing you the exact view through the scope but costs $$.

Post by **rcj** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:07 pm

Hi Elton,

Managed to find one freeware version but it was original based in French. Seems there is an English version, but got to look around further...

Here:
http://astrosurf.com/rondi/jupiter/