Io Transit

 

 
 

 

Image Information
Date Imaged

5/13/2006

Location Imaged From Baring Pumpkin Observatory
Barking Pumpkin Observatory, Tierra del Sol, CA
Equipment Telescope: Meade 8" LX200
Mount: Ulti-Wedge
Camera: ToUCam Pro II
Focal Ratio: f/10
Exposure Information

1500 of 2000 frames 1/25 sec


The planet Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen with a small proportion of helium; it may also have a rocky core of heavier elements under high pressure. Because of its rapid rotation, Jupiter's shape is that of an oblate spheroid (it possesses a slight but noticeable bulge around the equator). The outer atmosphere is visibly segregated into several bands at different latitudes, resulting in turbulence and storms along their interacting boundaries. A prominent result is the Great Red Spot, a giant storm that is known to have existed since at least the 17th century. Surrounding the planet is a faint planetary ring system and a powerful magnetosphere. There are also at least 63 moons, including the four large moons called the Galilean moons that were first discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. Ganymede, the largest of these moons, has a diameter greater than that of the planet Mercury.