Jupiter 2/2/03

Just a short post about my impressions from last night and how "seeing" is a bit unpredictable. I was in Joshua Tree National Park in southern California (about 4000' altitude)and did not expect good seeing. The jetstream was close to overhead and the surface conditions were bad, with gusty winds. Yet to my surprise, whenever the gusts died down and Jupiter stopped vibrating in the eyepiece, the level of detail visible was above average. Loops, festoons, white ovals, etc. were popping out all over. One factor may have been that my scope, an 11" SCT, appeared to have reached thermal equilibrium (for once!). It was nice to have a view that approached the views shown in some of the nice sketches here. Hope I get a few more nights like that (without the wind however).

Ed

Ed,

I am glad to hear that you experienced a fine evening of Jupiter observing last night. Those nights when both the atmosphere and our instruments cooperate are a revelation! One cannot believe the amount of detail visible over a planet like Jupiter at such a time. It would be difficult to depict on paper what would be visible then. I hope that you have many more wonderful nights.

Carlos