A Rare Look At Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, and yet its distance makes it hard to discern finer details on its surface.
A composite stack of infrared images reveals inner structure in the atmosphere at a level of clarity not possible from traditional ground-based imaging techniques (Gemini North Telescope)
The Gemini North Telescope recently got a rare glimpse by using a technique known as ‘stacking.’ When light from a distant planet enters Earth’s atmosphere, the suffers from dispersion and refraction which degrade and distort the light that makes it to the ground, resulting in less than stellar images. This is one of many reasons NASA and other space agencies prefer to send spacecraft to the planets, or at least take pictures through space telescopes above the atmosphere.
A relatively recent technological breakthrough, stacking allows hundreds or even thousands of images to be taken of the same object, and at any given moment only a part of each image may be clear, but over time it adds up. When these images are digitally stacked, the random distortions tend to cancel themselves out over time and the clear image behind it is gradually reinforced, resulting in the image you see here. This works not just for infrared light, but visible light as well.
It’s not just for professional astronomers anymore, this technique can be used by anyone who has a small telescope and a webcam. To learn more, check out Sky & Telescope’s How-To guide and see how amateur astronomers are revolutionizing ground-based imaging.
As for observing, Jupiter isn’t yet visible in the evening sky, we’ll have to wait until later in the summer. Stay tuned for more as it begins to rise earlier.
In the meantime, you can check out Standley Lake Stargazing’s ‘Stargazing Resources’ page for interactive and printable star charts to see what’s happening this weekend.
Stargazing Resources
You can check out Sky & Telescope’s Week At A Glance page for this week for up to date observing info.
Check back each weekday @ 5:00 pm for more observing guides and science news!
If you'd like to support us, visit patreon.com/StandleyLakeStargazing
Leave comments and questions on our page and feel free to reach us directly at contact@standleylakestargazing.com. As always-
Stay well, and clear skies!