Jupiter – September 2012

Description:

Jupiter is one of the most interesting planets to observe because the details of its cloud formations are constantly changing. It is the planet which has the largest apparent diameter and it makes it accessible to most telescopes. In this photo, the Great Red Spot is in the center but the camera’s color balance was not at its best. The stability of the air on that memorable night made it possible to see some details on the surface of Ganymede, its largest satellite, as it had just passed in front of the planet. This is a rather rare feat from Quebec given the generally unstable air conditions that we experience here.

Technical details:

Telescope: Celestron Edge HD14 (focal length: 3910 mm)
Camera: Flea3 from Point Grey Research
Exposure: video capture of 4,000 frames from which 800 were selected, stacked, and processed
Date: September 11, 2012 3:51 AM
Place: Laval, Qc