Jupiter Found!

Anybody else viewing it? My understanding is that it is at peak viewing right now. That you can see some of it's moons with binoculars.

I recent acquired a telescope, and have high hopes.

Any tips for this rookie stargazer?

This is hilarious. There seems to be a Facebook scam going around about this. I can see Jupiter’s Galilean moons anytime it’s up with binoculars. It does reach opposition this month which means it is aligned with the earth directly between the sun and the planet. This will make it a little bit brighter but Jupiter is third brightest object in the sky(first is the moon, second is Venus, then Jupiter planet wise). I’d your sky’s are clear make sure you have some to steady yourself with. Binoculars are a great low power wide field of view tool for the casual astronomer.

So it is at it's brightest right now?

When it reaches opposition it will be its brightest but you won’t see much difference. It’s very bright to begin with. Anytime you look at Jupiter with quality binoculars you should be able to see the planetary disc(nice round disc) and some of the Galilean moons. You can see all 4 if they are not in front of or behind the planet. With a 6” telescope and decent seeing you can see the equatorial bands and the Great Red Spot(which isn’t so great anymore it’s been shrinking). I think you can make out equatorial bands in as pittas a four inch scope. The key to seeing detail is the atmospheric conditions have to be good. Not much upper atmospheric winds or the image wont reveal any details. If stars are twinkle it’s poor seeing.

If you want to see the nights sky through telescopes without going through the expense of owning one look up your nearest astronomy club and give them a call and ask about outreach opportunities or star parties.

amspoker - short answer: yes.
Incredibly easy to see in the night sky without any aid, if you have good vision or corrective lenses.
If you have a small telescope or a good pair of binoculars then you'll see probably 4 moons.
I've seen 5 with an 8 inch reflector telescope which I got used.
Looking into space really changes everything, at least with me anyway...

Just viewed it for the first time on Friday night. Saw three moons. It’s both very underwhelming and yet mind-boggling. There is a whole lotta space out there.

Pretty awesome. Found it easily with my telescope, saw the four moons, and could see the bands of colors on the planet.

Now I see why some of y'all scoffed at all the fuss. Very easy to find.


I can't believe it took me this long to see it.


Thanks for the tips everyone.

Good to know, didn't realize it was lost.

Did you see any Jovians looking back.

if you want to stargaze go west. west of I25 will do. Lower the humidity the better the view. get up ontop a big hill. desert is best. don't need to be above timberline but that is best. less atmospheric distortion. you want dark of the moon and someplace remote. clear sky no clouds. no visible yard lights. you will be in awe. change your perspective

Saturn is a breathtaker for many. Mars is neat during opposition and with enough aperture you can make out the polar ice caps and some surface details. Myself I prefer Jupiter for planetary. DSOs are my favorite.

We had a good time last night looking at Jupiter. My oldest, who is ten years old, was totally thrilled. With my weakest lens I was able to see the four moons, and was pretty excited by just that alone. The best viewing was with my medium power lens, as the most powerful lens was distorted from many factors I imagine. There was actually even some thin cloud cover at the time that was giving us trouble.

Next time I travel out west I will take my telescope with me Danny. Thanks for the insight.

I just recently picked up a Meade autostar telescope at a yard sale for fifty dollars. So this is all very new to me. The weather was lousy since I bought it, and last night was the best weather we'd had in weeks for viewing.

Next up, Saturn.

amspoker a night like I described will leave you in awe even without a telescope. if the stars line up and you get a low humidity cloudless moonless night and can get away from the glow of towns and communities where you are, its worth losing a little sleep.

I got up at 2:30 last night to view it again, lol. Sleep, I can do without. The moon was going down, and the milky way was just barely visible. There was so much moisture everything kept fogging up.

They have some locations for observation not too far from me. Once I figure out what I am doing better we might make the trip. I'll probably find a spot closer before then. Cold, clear, winter nights have left me amazed with my naked eye. I'll keep reading up and trying to figure out this telescope until the weather cooperates again.

Come on you guys stop being silly. You cant see planets the sun is up and blue skies all night. Its the land of the midnight sun remember. Planets !!