I was out last night (Aug. 1) trying to get a better look at the impact scar on Jupiter, when I noticed a moon shadow very near the center of the equatorial zone. There was a moon close-in on each side of the planet but I wasn't quite sure which one was casting the shadow. I made a quick check with Starry Nights and it showed Io to my left and Ganymede to my right. As I continued to observe, I noticed both of those shifting to my right, yet the shadow was of course, transitting to the left. It had me befuddled for a while until I picked up another detail trailing the shadow. At first I thought it was a storm spot on the edge of the NEB, but then it hit me. I checked Starry Nights again, but zoomed in a little closer and saw Europa in front of the planet. Voila!
So while I got some decent looks of the rapidly deteriorating impact scar, this unexpected transit really made the night for me.
Anybody else catch it?
Linton
...by the way, I was using my 10" f/6 Starmaster. (Thanks Evan ;^)
So while I got some decent looks of the rapidly deteriorating impact scar, this unexpected transit really made the night for me.
Anybody else catch it?Linton
...by the way, I was using my 10" f/6 Starmaster. (Thanks Evan ;^)
