Smithysteve Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I watched a transit of a Jovian moon across Jupiter for the first time Last night, amazing... So exciting, was like a kid in a sweet shop! From 7.38pm until 8.55pm Io's shadow traversed the length of the central belt of Jupiter, when the seeing was good you could not mistake the shadow, it showed up as a solid black dot, Also, during this period, at approx 8.27pm, I watched Callisto and Europa occulting each other. Awesome! I tried various colour filters and various eyepieces with and without a barlow during this period but found my 25mm,University Konig mk-70 deg 2" best for definition with no filter or Barlow at f10 through my LX200 10". I also had a quick shufty at M81, M82, the moon and beehive cluster before I wrapped up for the evening too. Memorable, and I felt I had to share it with you. Later, I checked out the Jupiter events in skySafari to confirm what I had seen and it was all there... Very promising and I will be looking for similar events in the future. Still excited!!! Steve BAZ, Johnnyaardvark and tuckstar 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Great stuff, wish I had seen it Last time I saw a similar Jovial moon event was through my old LX200 and it was a fine sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Fantastic stuff, glad you had a good night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 You will never forget your first one, it is mind blowing. Mine was with my 16" dob and it was simply amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Congrats Steven its mesmerising isnt it? To watch something astronomical in real time is a buzz. Better than watching eastenders any day :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Congrats Steven its mesmerising isnt it? To watch something astronomical in real time is a buzz. Better than watching eastenders any day :-) Yes Phil it is better, and I am still buzzing, I was just lucky to be looking at the right time. In future I will look out for similar events in advance, Thanks for the comments everyone, I knew you would understand! It's great to still be able to get a thrill out of seeing stuff like this, and share it with like minded people Still buzzing, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 You will never forget your first one, it is mind blowing. Mine was with my 16" dob and it was simply amazing. Thanks Mick you have summed it up! Unforgettable stuff! It must have been something special to see it through a 16" dob! Cheers! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Ive said many times (ad nauseum :-) ) the thing with this hobby/science, you can go out with a scope and see something for the first time in your life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ibbo Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have an excel file that has a lot of mutual events pm me if you want a copy as I'm not sure how to post the file otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have an excel file that has a lot of mutual events pm me if you want a copy as I'm not sure how to post the file otherwise Thanks Ibbo, I have PM'd you ( I think!) :-) Cheers! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 There's something awe inspiring just watching something as big as this just working and doing what it does. You really can stare at it for hours. I am glad you got that buzz, it lasts for days doesn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Shadow transits are borderline in my 127 Mak and I've never seen a moon crossing the disc. I guess I'd need a better camera to photograph a transit event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werisit Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Great to hear about your experience Stephen. Moon shadow transits rock, and how about a Great Red Spot transit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 There's something awe inspiring just watching something as big as this just working and doing what it does. You really can stare at it for hours. I am glad you got that buzz, it lasts for days doesn't it. Hi Baz (martyn) Yes it does last for days, I am still feeling it, I had a similar experience last year when I viewed the Veil nebula through a 12" dob and Oiii filter - another first for me, I can still feel that one now... Just an afterthought, What I find really useful, is the ease with which you can re run and confirm these events on apps like Redshift, Sky safari etc and check up on what you have seen. These are brill tools to have available on an iPad, phone or laptop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Great to hear about your experience Stephen. Moon shadow transits rock, and how about a Great Red Spot transit? Hi Alan, Yes a red spot transit would be another first :-) the Io shadow transit has got me thinking of other related Jovian events. It's also amazing how quickly those Jovian moons move,.. I wonder how Galileo felt, back in 1610, when he spotted them for the first time :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werisit Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I wonder how Galileo felt, back in 1610, when he spotted them for the first time :-) Yes there's a thought. What a moment that must have been! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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