observers log

observers notebook By Gary Seronik

Jupiters Eventful Return

nother planet-observing season is at hand, and its one that

promises to be the best in years.
For Northern Hemisphere observers, Jupiter and Saturn are riding higher in the
sky than they have for more than a
decade, and Mars is slowly gaining size as
it heads toward its most favorable opposition since 1988.
Until Mars starts growing large next
spring, Jupiter will be the main attraction for planetary observers. True, Saturn
is also a breathtaking sight, but the
ringed planets static beauty makes it an
object of appreciation rather than one of
intense scrutiny. It is Jupiter that most
rewards continual viewing.
In the October issue (page 124), John
McAnally, the assistant coordinator for
transit timings at the Association of Lunar
and Planetary Observers, noted that the

Monthly Sunspot Numbers

250
200
150
100
50
0
Jan 00

Mar

May

Jul

Sep

December 2000 Sky & Telescope

Several observers have noted a dark knot

within the spot itself. This was also quite
obvious in my 6-inch, though steady seeing and high magnification were needed
to see it well. Other reports suggest that
the spot may have drifted from 74 (System II longitude) to 76. As McAnally
emphasizes, transit timings by amateurs
are particularly important when it comes
to keeping track of the GRSs unpredictable motion.
In every apparition there are scores of
features that warrant monitoring. In the
early stages of the current Jupiter show,
the Equatorial Zones northern half is
showing signs of turning yellow, the
North Equatorial Belts northern edge is
full of large bays, and a short, dark segment has developed in the North North
Temperate Belt plenty of activity to
keep observers busy with transit timings,
sketching, and CCD imaging.
Although Jupiter and Saturn are fascinating telescopic objects, they can also be
appreciated with the unaided eye. Who
could fail to be impressed by the autumn
late-night sight of these bright planets
set against the rich starry backdrop of
Taurus, near Aldebaran and the Pleiades?
Even if the naked-eye spectacle lacks scientific importance, it does carry a lasting
and satisfying emotional value.

Nov

Pierre Cugnon of the Sunspot Index Data

Center supplied these provisional sunspot
numbers. The range of minimum and maximum daily numbers (vertical lines) and monthly means (connected points) are shown with
three months of predictions. Daily numbers
are available at http://sidc.oma.be/index.php3.

130

previous Jupiter season concluded with a

bit of a cliffhanger. Two white ovals (designated BE and FA) that had drifted in Jupiters South Temperate Belt (STeB) for 60
years seemed to be on a collision course.
No one knew for certain what to expect
when Jupiter became observable again
after its May conjunction with the Sun.
Now we know. As McAnally reports, The
ovals have definitely merged. The professional community is not in total agreement as to how it happened, but in visible
light they are now a single object. The
surviving oval is known as BA and was located at a System II longitude of 297 as
of September 17th. Amateur observations
of episodes such as these help planetary
scientists understand the dynamics of the
Jovian atmosphere.
Although the remaining STeB oval is a
difficult, low-contrast target, other features are plain to see. For example, new
this Jupiter season is a prominent split in
the South Equatorial Belt (SEB) encircling
much of the planet and preceding the
Great Red Spot (GRS). Even with indifferent seeing conditions, I was able to easily
make out this division with my 6-inch reflector in mid-September. With better seeing, a good 3-inch scope should be able to
show the SEBs two components.
The GRS is putting on a show too.

Upper-left pair: These CCD images, taken a half hour apart, show Jupiters appearance on September 9th. Note the darkened center of the Great Red Spot and the intricate series of bays along the
northern edge of the North Equatorial Belt. South is up in all images. Courtesy Donald C. Parker.
Upper right: New this apparition is a prominent division in the South Equatorial Belt. The belt
is divided over most of its length something that can be seen in 3-inch and larger instruments on nights of steady seeing. Courtesy Donald C. Parker.

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