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Mutual Phenomena of Jupiter

Jupiter on 2014 December 24 by Ian Sibley
Jupiter on 2014 December 24 by Ian Sibley

During 2015, the Jupiter system will be edge-on to the Earth and Sun, which allows observers to see fascinating phenomena of the Galilean moons. First, this alignment allows the moons and the shadows to transit across the Equatorial Zone so that observers have the greatest chance of seeing one or more of them on the disk. Second, it allows the moons to eclipse and occult one another in so-called ‘mutual phenomena’. These events can be followed even with modest telescopes, especially mutual eclipses where one can see the rapid dimming of the eclipsed moon even if it cannot be resolved. Larger telescopes do allow the moons to be resolved, and should allow some impressive images and even videos to be obtained.
John Rogers, BAA

Tony Ireland has prepared a listing of mutual events to look out for.
You can download the PDF here.

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January/February 2015 Mercury now available to download

Mercury_Jan_Feb_2015_coverThe January/February Mercury is now available for download.

Visit the Members | Downloads page – you will need the password, which has been emailed to members.

Contents includes:

  • The Coordinator’s Spot
  • The Sun on 30th Sept
  • A very large sunspot
  • Sun and Moon photos
  • A Movie Review
  • Secrets of the Planets
  • Sun Focus Group
  • Messier Binocular Challenge
  • Lunar Challenge
  • Largest 1st Qu Moon
  • Geminid Report
  • Model of Asteroid Vespa
  • Venus at last
  • Image File Naming
  • BAA Deep Sky Section Meeting 2015
  • Comet 2014 Q2 Lovejoy
  • Venus 29th December
  • Dates for your Diary
  • Two Moon Photos
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November/December Mercury now available to download

Mercury_Nov_Dec_2014_coverThe November/December Mercury is now available for download.

Visit the Members | Downloads page – you will need the password, which has been emailed to members.

Contents includes:

  • Coordinator’s Spot
  • Dates for Your Diary
  • The Moon and Saturn
  • Sketching video
  • It’s still wonderful!
  • Two Moon photos
  • Observing the Sun
  • The Eastern Veil nebula
  • Useful books and links
  • Polarscope illuminator
  • Cheltenham The Planets.
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September/October Mercury now available to download

MercurySeptOct2014_coverThe September/October Mercury is now available for download.

Visit the Members | Downloads page – you will need the password, which has been emailed to members.

Contents include:

  • Co-ordinator’s Spot
  • Dates for your Diary
  • Moon photo
  • Comet C/2014 E2 Jacques and Eddie’s Coaster
  • August report by the Observing Director
  • Supermoon
  • Venus and Jupiter Conjunction
  • Messier M8
  • Cotswolds by Radar
  • Crescent Nebula photograph
  • An Ex(moor)cise in frustration
  • Cygnus Rift photograph
  • Moon book review
  • Comet C/2014 E2 Jacques
  • The largest Moon of 2014
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2014 Award Winners

The winners of this years awards were announced at the May meeting of the Society.

Christine Beale was awarded the Robin Townley award for contribution to the work of the Society, and Peter Burgess won the Dan Turton trophy for his image of the Veil Nebula.

Congratulations to Christine and Peter.

Christine Beale receiving the Robin Townley award
Christine Beale receiving the Robin Townley award
Peter Burgess receiving the Dan Turton award
Peter Burgess receiving the Dan Turton award
Peter Burgess’ Veil Nebula image
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May/June Mercury

MercuryMayJune2014_coverThe May/June issue of the society magazine Mercury is now available for members to download from the Members | Downloads page.

This months contents includes:

  • Coordinator’s Report
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Accounts
  • Dates for your diary
  • The Cheltenham Science Festival
  • Live From Space
  • The Big Three
  • A Life of Galileo
  • My Observatory
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Showcase 2014 Gallery

2013 winner Bill Beere
2013 winner Bill Beere

There is now a gallery showing the submissions for this years Dan Turton trophy competition for the best astro-image considering the equipment available for use.

You can view all the images here.

If you want to submit an image email Peter Cadogan & copy Callum Potter for the gallery.

If you yourself will not be attending the AGM, please check the web site before the 12th April and email Peter Cadogan your vote, so that it may be included in the count.

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Jupiter rotating by Les Dickens

Prompted by the request from Peter for pictures to submit to the BBC One Show’s “Jupiter spot”, Les took a sequence of web cam images of Jupiter and its moons.

Les took video images every 20 mins or so from about 7:30 until midnight, and after processing composed this excellent animation.

Jupiter 2014.03.04 (1)Click on this picture for a bigger better view.

Note the movement of the Red Spot, and the satellites.