tonight Jupiter as close to Earth as it can get until 2021!
By Stephan
@stk40m (1118)
Koeln, Germany
November 30, 2012 4:10pm CST
I have already zoomed in my camcorder on Jupiter and currently (it is 11 pm over here) I can clearly see four of its moons! According to Stellarium Jupiter will be closest at 4:53 am (CET that is). If you have a good camcorder with zoom or a field glasses you can easily see the moons. It's a very impressive sight and you shouldn't miss it if you like watching the night sky.
more info here:
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earth-and-jupiter-closer-on-december-1-2012-than-until-2021
Cheers
1 person likes this
2 responses
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
30 Nov 12
Oh that would have been so exciting to see! I looked outside but we have nothing but clouds here so it would be impossible to view. I was going to tell my daughter and her husband but I guess there is no sense in it now. Glad you were able to see it!
@stk40m (1118)
• Koeln, Germany
1 Dec 12
there's still enough time to see Jupiter and its moons for the time to come. I've been able to see them for over a year now but today and tomorrow they are really bright due to the close distance. Peak will be in about 3 1/2 hours from now. You can still see them in the coming days, weeks and maybe even months. All you need is a clear night sky
I'll upload a video of what I've filmed couple of hours ago and post in in this discussion, so if you like you can also watch Jupiter and its 'satellites' here on Mylot 
to find Jupiter is pretty easy as it's currently one of the brightest objects in the night sky (after the Moon and Venus).
I'll upload a video of what I've filmed couple of hours ago and post in in this discussion, so if you like you can also watch Jupiter and its 'satellites' here on Mylot
to find Jupiter is pretty easy as it's currently one of the brightest objects in the night sky (after the Moon and Venus).1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
1 Dec 12
I thought you meant you could only see the 4 moons tonight. I'll let my daughter and her husband know so they can look. They don't have a huge telescope but a really nice one and in the summer used to go up on the garage roof to get a better view. They had fun and I'm sure they'll like this too. We'll just have to wait until there is a nice clear night. Thanks!
@stk40m (1118)
• Koeln, Germany
1 Dec 12
Yeah, there's plenty of time. If you observe the moons for a longer time - say a couple of hours - you notice that they move around Jupiter. Last night for example the moon Io ''disappeared'' (either behind or in front of Jupiter, would have to check that again...). I was able to capture Io (and three other moons) before that happened:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI_rvL2xTEM
my camera is of course not the best tool to take a look at those jewels in the sky but a few years ago when I saw the moons for the first time on the display I was really amazed. Hadn't thought it would be possible
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