That brilliant “star” seen in the east during the evening is not a UFO. It is the giant planet Jupiter. As observed from Earth, Jupiter appears opposite the Sun today (February 6), which occurs about every thirteen months as Earth laps Jupiter in their race around the Sun. That means Jupiter will be out all night tonight as it rises around sunset and sets around sunrise.
The occurrence of opposition from the Sun, combined with the small tilt this year of the orbital planes of Jupiter’s natural satellites as viewed from Earth, allows for some unusual event’s tonight (early February 7). Two of its Galilean satellites, Io and Europa, will be seen transiting Jupiter while their shadows fall on the planet. That in itself is not unusual. What will be unusual is the satellites occulting (obscuring) portions of their own shadows.
The transits will occur during the predawn hours for most of North America. A modest telescope should make at least the satellite shadows obvious. I’ve created preview graphics and an event timetable that can be seen at http://ift.tt/1zFJVRv
Photos and descriptions of the events would be welcome additions to this thread.
The occurrence of opposition from the Sun, combined with the small tilt this year of the orbital planes of Jupiter’s natural satellites as viewed from Earth, allows for some unusual event’s tonight (early February 7). Two of its Galilean satellites, Io and Europa, will be seen transiting Jupiter while their shadows fall on the planet. That in itself is not unusual. What will be unusual is the satellites occulting (obscuring) portions of their own shadows.
The transits will occur during the predawn hours for most of North America. A modest telescope should make at least the satellite shadows obvious. I’ve created preview graphics and an event timetable that can be seen at http://ift.tt/1zFJVRv
Photos and descriptions of the events would be welcome additions to this thread.
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1zfCpcq
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