JUPITER TODAY is a daily blog about the dynamic Jupiter system for the purpose of monitoring activity.
We start with the overall view of activity with the Jupiter system, showing the orbits of the four Galilean moons:
This is a view of the Jupiter system looking down on it. Following the blue line to the left is the line of sight to Earth, while following the gray line to the left is the line of sight to the Sun. The orbits of the four Galilean moons are shown. The large dots indicate the position of each moon at 0h, 6h, 12h, 18h, and 24h (0h the next day) UTC for this date. From this point of view, the moons revolve around Jupiter in a counter-clockwise motion. For more information about this graphic, see the post from 30 July 2015.
Jupiter has just now passed Superior Conjunction. These images blow me away they are so incredibly beautiful. Here's the current SOHO image showing the steady progress of Jupiter across its field of view:
Orbital Motion
At 0h UTC, Io begins the day at its eastern elongation and will be in quad 2 moving west. Europa starts today firmly in quad 3 headed west. Ganymede spends all day in quad 1 moving east. Callisto will be in quad 3 moving west one more day.
At 6h UTC, Io is firmly in quad 2 moving west.
By 12h UTC, Io is transiting Jupiter and moving into quad 3 headed west. Europa is at its western elongation and is headed into quad 4 moving east.
At 18h UTC, Io is firmly in quad 3 headed west. Europa is now firmly in quad 4 moving east.
By 0h UTC tomorrow, Io has just passed its western elongation. Europa is still in quad 4 moving east. Ganymede ends the day moving east in quad 1. Callisto is very near its western elongation.
Apojoves and Perijoves
At 09:18 UTC, Io goes through an apojove at a distance of 423,491.0 km.
Relative Positions and Motions
At 0h UTC, the position of Jupiter is RA 10h 26m 36.6s, DEC +10d 41m 35.1s. The phase angle is 0.867 degrees, which is 0.137 degrees greater than yesterday. The angular separation between Jupiter and the Sun is 4.637 degrees, which is 0.734 degrees greater than yesterday. The distance between Jupiter and the Sun is 806,272,923 km, which is 36,004 km further apart than yesterday. Jupiter is moving away from the Sun at a velocity of 1,500.167 km/h, which is 3.166 km/h slower than yesterday. The distance between Jupiter and Earth is 956,647,587 km, which is 169,583 km less than yesterday. Earth and Jupiter are moving towards one another at a velocity of 7,065.958 km/h, which is 1,288.041 faster than yesterday. We are accelerating towards Jupiter. F = ma????
Jupiter-Satellite Events
From 10:21 to 12:39 UTC, Io's shadow transits Jupiter. From 10:28 to 12:46 UTC, Io transits Jupiter.
Orbital Ribbons
These are the spacial and temporal connections between the four Galilean moons. This is once again looking down upon the Jupiter system.
Jupiter is so near Superior Conjunction that photography and other data collection isn't practical. We'll have to wait about a months after SC to start viewing the Jupiter system again.
Spread the word about this daily blog! This blog is subject to evolution. What can I do to make this blog more interesting and more informative?
Subscribe at the right column of this blog and get these posts sent to you automatically!
Please send me your feedback, comments, and questions to jupitertoday AT gmail DOT com or the comments section of this blog.
With my gratitude, the data used to create the orbit plots and ribbons was supplied by the JPL Horizons website. The graphics showing the location of the four moons as seen from Earth are via 'Jupiter Viewer 2.8'. Jupiter-Satellite and Satellite mutual events data is supplied from IMCEE.
Until tomorrow, I bid you Peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment