Checking up on Jupiter and Saturn

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla

2012/02/10 01:51 CST

Topics: Jupiter, Saturn, amateur astrophotos, amateur astronomers, planetary astronomy, astronomy, atmospheres

As I've mentioned before, it's amateur astronomers, not professionals, who are shouldering the burden of constant monitoring of the weather on Jupiter and Saturn. What's going on these days in the outer solar system?

Well, as Damian Peach shows us, Jupiter's belt has definitely returned, and the clouds are very, very turbulent to the west of the Red Spot, which, to be honest, is really not looking all that red. And OMG look how much detail he resolved on Ganymede! For his most recent photos, check his Facebook page.

Damian Peach

Jupiter on February 1, 2012

Amateur astrophotographer Damian Peach writes about this amazing photo: "Jupiter on February 1st. Ganymede is in transit with the shadow of Europa cast onto the cloud tops nearby. Bitterly cold easterly winds but very steady conditions kept me out there."

So let's step on out to Saturn, which has been monitored very well lately by Freddy Willems. He's still seeing quite strong effects from the great northern storm (note north is down in this photo, which is more traditional for telescopic images).

Freddy Willems

Saturn on January 19, 2012

These and a great many other recent awesome astrophotos are available for download from the Planetary Virtual Observatory & Laboratory's website. Check it out! (And I should tip my hat to Jason Major for pointing me to Damian's photo.)