Jupiter Saturn Conjunction - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #1 12-20-2020, 09:27 PM

I've just been observing the Jupiter Saturn conjunction with my small telescope. Awesome sight to see both planets and their moons in the same field of view. Tomorrow is the closest they'll be together in about 900 years I think.

So this evening I was able to see ten solar system worlds. Earth haha, Luna, Mars, Saturn and Titan, Jupiter and Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

It's been a good winter for Astronomy.

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #2 12-20-2020, 11:30 PM

Thanks for the heads up! I am inspired to see them.

pj67coll · #3 12-21-2020, 10:32 PM

So it was perfect weather again. Managed to get some pic's of the event. If my atachments work this should show Jupiter above Saturn with three of Jupiters Gallilean moons visible.

- Peter.

pj67coll · #4 12-21-2020, 10:37 PM

This was a view from last night. Four of Jupites moons are visible and Saturn is on the other side of Jupiter. Visally you see a lot more. Saturn is a lot sharper and it's rings more clearnly defined. Jupiter has about seven visible bands across it's disk. But with a handheld smartphone and no tracking etc this is the best I could do. The planets themselves are too overexposed in these shots but at least you get the idea. Shows the actual size of these things when you are looking at them thru a small telescope with the naked eye, rather than the picture you see from Nasa, or exensive telescopic photographic equipment.

- Peter.

vwnate1 · #5 12-22-2020, 03:30 AM

Pretty cool .

I took the Foster boys and my Sweet out to see, they seemed impressed .

t walgamuth · #6 12-25-2020, 05:42 PM

very cool!

Saturn is below and to the right of Jupiter right?

pj67coll · #7 12-25-2020, 10:28 PM

Yes. The one that's got "ears" ie rings.

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #8 12-25-2020, 11:19 PM

very cool!

Botnst · #9 12-30-2020, 07:01 AM

Nicely done, Peter.

Jupiter was in the trees for me. My observatory is in a small hay meadow surrounded by forest. Anything below about 30 deg is in the trees. Ordinarily that’s not a problem because seeing is so poor around here at low altitude. Anyway, my wife and I went out to see if we could glimpse the conjunction through the trees. Yeah, we did. And the seeing was poor in both the dob and SCT. In retrospect, I should’ve loaded the dob and gone to an athletic field at the local high school. Or actually, we should’ve gone to Big Bend NP!

pj67coll · #10 12-30-2020, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Nicely done, Peter.

Jupiter was in the trees for me. My observatory is in a small hay meadow surrounded by forest. Anything below about 30 deg is in the trees. Ordinarily that’s not a problem because seeing is so poor around here at low altitude. Anyway, my wife and I went out to see if we could glimpse the conjunction through the trees. Yeah, we did. And the seeing was poor in both the dob and SCT. In retrospect, I should’ve loaded the dob and gone to an athletic field at the local high school. Or actually, we should’ve gone to Big Bend NP!

Nice to be able to say "My Observatory"... Always been a dream of mine. Maybe some day. To be honest. Here in Phoenix, in my particular situation, I won't be constructing one. Perhaps if I get up into higher country, with cooler temperatures and fewer scorpions...

- Peter.

Botnst · #11 01-03-2021, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Nice to be able to say "My Observatory"... Always been a dream of mine. Maybe some day. To be honest. Here in Phoenix, in my particular situation, I won't be constructing one. Perhaps if I get up into higher country, with cooler temperatures and fewer scorpions...

- Peter.

Wait until you retire.

pj67coll · #12 01-03-2021, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Wait until you retire.

Yes. But I'd hoped to have one before then. Still. An observatory in Phoenix is really not ideal I don't think. Way too hot too much of the year. And like I said. Scorpions. Not interested in dealing with those any more than I have to. But one way or the other, when I retire I will have one for sure.

- Peter.

INSIDIOUS · #13 01-03-2021, 06:32 PM

To where are you moving?

pj67coll · #14 01-03-2021, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS

To where are you moving?

Nowhere at present. But when we retire we'd love to get the hell out of Phoenix, hopefully somewere north like Flagstaff, or Sedona, where the temperatures are lower and scorpion activity less.

- Peter>

vwnate1 · #15 01-03-2021, 11:25 PM

I always enjoy my visits to Az., I liked Flagstaff but it's a college town and my son who recently bought a retirement home in Az. said it's too "busy" (?) .

I seem to recall looking for and finding some very quiet 'hoods in North West Flagstaff that had looping closed end roads, not much traffic apart from the residents .

Northern Az. is nice, not burning hot like Phoenix et. al .