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Posts Made By: Sol Robbins

February 9, 2004 06:03 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Jupiter Sketch Feb. 8, 2004

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

Had very good seeing conditions while observing with my 9.6" Newtonian. Magnification for this sketch was at 289x and Jupiter's image was very solid.

Of note was a large prominent oval. No guessing at seeing this one as its edges were well defined. Its rendered about half-way between the CM and the following limb in the SSTz. There were 2 other minor ones that appeared smaller and with less distinct edges.

The SEB rift appeared broken and gently sloped southward from the GRS toward the following limb. Fairly bright and well defined.

What was also striking was an unbroken dark rift in the NEB.
Starting near the CM it had a northward slope toward the following limb. There was also a lot of disconnected features appearing throughout the EZ with many appearing in the EZs.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

February 15, 2004 09:05 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

2.14.04 Jupiter Sketch

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

Had excellent conditions for Jupiter, seeing hovered around 7-8 P. This sketch was made using my 6" refractor. Later during the GRS transit, I used my 9.6" newt which showed a very solid image at 353x.

Of note are 2 very dark festoons on the following side of the NEBs. There were also some brightenings on the following side of the SsTZ. In the NPR, the was a definite linear feature that was just a bit darker than the surrounding NPR area. This feature the sloped southward starting from the following limb/NPRs.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

February 20, 2004 08:01 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Jupiter Sketch Feb 20, 2004

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

Seeing conditions for Jupiter were very good. Even my 6" refractor was holding Jupiter's image pretty well at 311x. This only happens just 1 or 2 times per apparition.

Got to watch a transit this morning. I believe its Io's shadow. I also believe I saw Io itself very near the NEBs by a festoon just preceding the CM.

Of note were a couple of dark rifts in the NEB. particularly the dark rift the appears on the following side. This made adjacent tones take on a marbling appearence throughout the NEB.

The light rift preceding the GRS was sharply define. Its appearence was pretty straight without any breaks and crossed the entire SEB.

Thanks Sol Robbins

February 26, 2004 06:30 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

- 2.25.04 Jupiter Sketch -

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

I had excellent conditions tonight for observing Jupiter. I also had a chance to try a new filter called a NPC from Sirius Optics.

The festoon activity in the EZ was really interesting.

The NEB presented a dark rift that appeared to run its entire length.

The SEB was split by a dark rift that also ran its length. This rift appeared to be split on the preceding side though I still don't seem absolutely sure about this regarding my rendition of it. Sometimes the split appeared very light in color.

The STB was the most interesting by far. It appeared thick and somewhat rope-like with a break on the preceding side.

This was one of the best views so far. Usually I use a nebula filter which makes Jupiter appear intensely green. The NPC is very neutral in appearance and showing roughly true colors.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

February 28, 2004 06:59 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

* Saturn 2.27.04 *

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

Once again I've blessed with excellent seeing. This prompted me to bring out my 6" refractor and 9.6" Newtonian. Saturn held very sharp at 400x in the 6" and 455x in 9.6". I sketched with the 6" since it has motorized drives. Hand tracking the Dob while sketching would have been tough.

I had a second chance to try my new NPC filter and it worked well for Saturn's disk. The rings didn't do well with the filter at aperture/inch magnifications this high.

Of note during this observation is a brightening in the A ring, on the following side, which also broke the Encke Minima. there was also a little bit of darkening on the inner edge of the B ring also on the following side. These features showed in both of my scopes.

Thanks, Sol Robbins


February 28, 2004 07:34 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

+ Jupiter Sketch +

Posted By Sol Robbins
Seeing conditions also held for Jupiter observing. For this, I used my 9.6" Newt.

Of note is what seems to be the continued darkening of the GRS. Additionally, the attached 2 little dark rift features on its following edge made it look like a bird's head.

There was also an obvious oval in the STB just following the GRS.

Festoons are appearing more subdued recently as compared to the previous months during this apparition, but there are also a lot subtle apparently disconnected features throughout the EZ and Ezn.

The NEB still has a continuous dark rift running through it. It appears to be gradually moving more towards the preceding side in this sketch and has overtaken the GRS.

Lastly, there was a very subtle segment where the NTb used to be just preceding the CM.

I usually use a NEB-1 filter while observing Jupiter that shows an intensely green tinted image. This time I used my new NPC filter recently acquired from Sirius Optics. While taming Jupiter's brightness, it still shows its natural colors though they're a little bit more saturated. I was quite enamoured by that.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

February 29, 2004 06:08 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Sketch for ALPO Jupiter Watch Feb. 28th

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

This was done for a worldwide "Jupiter Watch" scheduled for Feb. 28th. Somebody requested this to get a continuous 24 hour collection of images.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

March 15, 2004 05:41 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

NTB Comeback

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

I had really excellent conditions for Jupiter observimg throught last Saturday night with its associated stellite transits.

What really struck me is that the NTB appeared as a narrow line across Jupiter's disk. I've noticed and sketched it as a segment in the recent past. If last Saturday is an indicater, then maybe the NTB is coming back for visual obserevers.

Thanks, Sol Robbins


March 23, 2004 04:37 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Jupiter-Io-Europa Sketch 03.22.04

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

I had changing seeing conditions for this double transit. I was using my 6" refractor.

Of note was the dark, unbroken rift throughout the NEB. There was also a bright bay on the NEBs just following the CM.

The NTB seems to be reapearing visually to me though low in contrast. I've noticed the last couple of weeks through my larger 9.6" reflector.

There was also a very thin line-like belt near the southern edge of the STZ.

The white rift preceeding the GRS had sharp well defined boudaries. There also seemed to be a light zone within the SEB about inward from the preceeding limb.

Unfiltered coloration of Jupiter appears a bit less in contrast. The GRS was a pale coral color. The SPR was a greenish taupe. The NPR appeared as a mildly violet-gray. Both bands were a warm, sepia-like gray.

Festoon activity was very noticeable and had a chaotic character that has been an apparent hallmark the last couple of months.

Hope the good seeing sticks till tomorrow night.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

April 8, 2004 02:34 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

-Jupiter Sketch April 7, 2004

Posted By Sol Robbins
Hi,

Due to a heavier than usual workload, I haven't been posting too much lately. Congrats to all who have been observing. Really great images and sketches.

Despite windy conditions, seeing was pretty good. My scope was really having a hard time keeping still.

Attached is a very quick sketch using a beta filter to test in Jupiter.

Thanks, Sol Robbins

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