Bands

by Chuck March 30, 2013

Astronomy Observation Record

 

Date: 3-30-2013 Time: 8:00 p.m. Location: Brambly Hill
Instrument: Northstar Aperture: 76mm Focal length: 700mm
Eyepiece/Magnification: 32/22 13/54 8/88
Transparency: Seeing:
Conditions: Cold and clear

 

Object Notes

M45 Pliedes

The Seven Sisters made a bright smudge on the sky -- even with my glasses off I could see them. Through binoculars they were bright and clear.

I tried my 32mm lens in the Northstar. It brought out quite a lot of detail. I couldn't see any nebulosity tonight, but there were bright chains of stars through the cluster, the most striking at the top and bottom right of the eyepiece.

Jupiter

Jupiter was the highlight of tonight's viewing. Through binoculars and the 32mm eyepiece the four Gallilean moons were quite clear. Io and Europa are close together tonight, Ganymede and Calisto are quite widely separated.

The big treat for tonight came when I put the 13mm eyepiece in. For the first time I was able to see banding on Jupiter. There were two distinct bands on either side of Jupiter's equator.

I tried using the 8mm eyepiece but could tease out no greater detail. The 80A filter did not seem to have any noticeable effect on contrast, but I tried it with the 8mm, so lack of light and a narrow field of view may have contributed.

About the time that I was ready to come in Joe and Katie came home. I had them come out and take a look too -- and then had them haul equipment inside for me.

Tags:

Backyard Astronomy

Comments are closed
Log in