[FPSPACE] Some very impressive imaging of Jupiter's moon from Earth

[LARRY KLAES]

MOONS OF JUPITER: Jupiter's moons are so big, their details are visible from 
backyards on Earth.

Mike Salway of Central Coast, Australia, used a 12-inch Newtonian reflector 
to take these pictures of Ganymede and Io on May 26th:

http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2007/05jun07/Mike-Salway-20070526-Gany%2BIo_1180994876.jpg

"To me, the surface markings are unmistakably real," says Salway. "In 
moments of great seeing, especially with Ganymede which is bigger than the 
planet Mercury, the features were seen in [individual video frames]."

"I believe the egg shape of Io is due to darkened polar regions. The camera 
isn't sensitive enough to detect these dark regions against the black of 
space. When Io transits Jupiter, however, you can see the dark poles against 
the obviously bright planet."

This is a great week to observe Jupiter's moons, and Jupiter itself, because 
the giant planet is at its closest to Earth for all of 2007. Stay tuned for 
more information.

EXTRA: On May 11th, Salway recorded a fantastic movie of Jupiter and its 
largest moons. Expand your browser and click here. (770 kb)

http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2007/05jun07/20070511-jupiter_anim.gif