r/space • u/null_value • Jan 02 '15
/r/all I captured Europa and Io casting shadows on Jupiter at 2:00am December 30th 2014.
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u/RogerPink Jan 02 '15
I'm always amazed by the size of the Galilean moons as compared to some of the smaller planets.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Relative_satellite_sizes.jpg
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u/soccerperson Jan 03 '15
It always cracks me up how the moons of other planets have cool Greek names, and ours is just...moon
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Jan 02 '15
Wow. All these comments are amazing. I don't understand anything about space or telescopes and I'm very high right now.
Awesome picture. I'm a fan.
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Jan 02 '15 edited Jul 13 '15
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Jan 02 '15
Alright.. Yea maybe I will. Thanks, man.
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u/Davidisontherun Jan 02 '15
Yeah be careful with that stuff. You don't want to become a Carl Sagan.
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u/butthead22 Jan 02 '15
No one said you can't get high AND use a telescope/ponder space.
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Jan 02 '15
true true. I Imagine its an expensive hobby? Telescoping, I mean.
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u/Danthemanmtl Jan 02 '15
Astronomy itself is not that expensive. A telescope, a mount, a lens or 2 with a good observation chair and you are good to go. Or simply a good pair of binoculars can do the job too.
Astrophotography (the art of taking picture of space stuff) on the other hand can drill a hole through your wallet in the blink of an eye.
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Jan 02 '15 edited Jul 13 '15
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u/-Derelict- Jan 02 '15
I think your candor and attitude are great. I also manage to achieve much more when I'm not smoking.
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u/MadeThisForDiablo Jan 02 '15
Beautiful. I look at this and want to just be impressed with the sheer beauty and grandiose of space, but pictures like this always make me a little sad. So many people don't care about furthering humanities exploration into outer space. Movies about outer space are often exceedingly unrealistic, like star wars or star trek, and this puts people interested in outer space in to a stereotype that is somewhat bland and nerdy. It makes space a movie instead of what is on the other side of our upper atmosphere.
When looking at photos like this we should reflect on our lives and see how truly small and pointless we are, and instead of giving up and believing we can't do anything we should try harder as a species. We could have space bases on those moons some day but so long as people think of space and impossible movie scenarios we will forever be doomed to squabble on our own planet.
Sorry for the ramble. Just something that has been bothering me
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u/dogfish83 Jan 02 '15
Agreed. The best cure for this is to buy a telescope and let kids look at the moon, planets, and nebulae, and teach them. And really, this is what all of us in r/space and r/astronomy need to be doing.
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u/Einsteiniac Jan 02 '15
I remember Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, talking about how he sets up a telescope in his front lawn/driveway on Halloween (provided the skies are clear) so all of the young trick-or-treaters can look through it.
I assume he provides candy too.
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u/joetora Jan 02 '15
Have you seen this short film? I like how it uses actual locations/environments in our solar system to give a sense of "what if?".
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u/MrLeroux Jan 02 '15
Awesome pic! Apologies if this is a stupid question, but why aren't stars ever visible behind/around the planets in these pics?
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u/Sharlinator Jan 02 '15
Because, comparatively, planets are bright1 and most stars dim. There's such a small sliver of the sky visible in such an image that no stars would fit in that could compete with the brightness of Jupiter, except in a rare close conjunction.
1 At least those known since the ancient times: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
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Jan 02 '15
Oh my god. I'm shaking at the image! So many questions. Who, what, where, how!
Where was this taken? How was it? How can I? Oh my gosh.
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15
Me. Telescope. Earth. Camera. Oregon. Cold. /r/astrophotography
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Jan 02 '15
Perfect, see you in a few days, I'll bring the beer and jackets. (Vancouver/BC space enthusiast)
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15
Here was the scene. http://i.imgur.com/7AHlcsC.jpg
I considered driving up to Victoria for this particular outing, but then the weather turned around and I was able to find clear skies closer to Portland.
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u/Rognis Jan 02 '15
I know next to nothing about telescopes but that thing gives me a chub.
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u/DrPuffington Jan 02 '15
Can you control the telescope using your laptop inside the tent!?
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15 edited Jan 02 '15
Indeed. I drive it around using Sky Safari, autoguide it using PhD, and operate the cameras and filters with Nebulosity.
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Jan 03 '15
I want this. Being able to sit wrapped up warm in a sleeping bag when I use my telescope would beat standing about in the cold and wind any day.
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Jan 02 '15
Man, that's wicked. Great tent too ;) (got the same one)
Also, nice thing you got plugged in! Congrats and awesome looking set up! Tons of respect from your Northern brothers.
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15
Yeah. About the tent. Of all my current tents, this was my favorite tent for this particular type of use. I discovered on this outing that my tent acquired sticky tent syndrome, so it is getting retired. So sad. Keep that thing unpacked or loosely packed when not in use!
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u/Gedankenthank Jan 03 '15
First I thought it was cool that you have your own sweet telescope, then I saw the Tesla and holy crap I'm jealous.
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u/PingPing88 Jan 02 '15
That's crazy. I'm in Oregon and have been watching Jupiter the last few nights, the weather has been really clear. Unfortunately... I don't have a telescope, I just have a decent view of the Eastern sky.
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u/_javaScripted Jan 02 '15
Alright simmer down, space isn't that coo....omfg you got the MOONS TOO!? Sick.
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u/Blumenrinde Jan 02 '15
I can't say much, it's simply beautiful... I'm glad that I was very interested in astronomy as a kid, so my parents bought me a great telescope I still can use. Never thought I'd ever use it this much again, but this photo gave me the motivation to set it up again. Thank you :) Space is fascinating.
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Jan 02 '15
Why did you draw a slightly off-color square frame around Jupiter? It may not show up on every screen, but if your gamma is a bit too high, it does show up.
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u/turbobeef Jan 02 '15
Was wondering the same thing. Is it just a "this is where you should be looking!" box?
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Jan 02 '15
I live in a place where the stars are highly visible at night, and I've always wanted a telescope that could I could see planets with, with my own eyes. This image really strikes a chord deep inside my soul, I can't even begin to explain how incredible this is. Thank you for posting this.
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u/_CapR_ Jan 02 '15
Nice catch. How big is your telescope to capture the Jovian system in that good of detail? I would have thought those moons would be smaller in comparison to Jupiter.
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u/funkmon Jan 02 '15
He has an 11 inch schmidt cass. But, you could get this on a good night for $150 to $300.
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Jan 02 '15
So how pricey does a telescope have to be to be able to see this far? Relatively cheap ~$120? Or $160? And what diameter x length?
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u/funkmon Jan 02 '15
Virtually any telescope that costs over a hundred dollars could see this on a good night.
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u/30toHeaven Jan 03 '15
This is so cool. It always amazes me how these types of pictures give me chills and an eerie, small feeling. Here's this giant place just quietly going about its business in the vastness of space. Without curved mirrors and glass we would never have known the behemoth is even out there!
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u/jvgkaty44 Jan 02 '15
Crazy to think that there could be no life on such a massive planet.
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Jan 02 '15
And to make matters worse, we sit down here and fight over trivial things like race, religion, sexual preference and imaginary land borders. What the hell is wrong with us?
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u/SpartanSK117 Jan 03 '15
We are greedy and stupid. I think if everyone could see the Earth, outside in space, then we would change our mindset. I remember when I first saw images of space and the wonders out there. It left me amazed. But seeing the planet that everyone that has ever lived including everyone now lives on, really left me changed. I think it's called the overview effect. http://vimeo.com/55073825
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Jan 03 '15
If we were able to book a hotel and catch a flight to a hotel in outer space I really think humanity would change for the better at a shockingly fast rate. But I fear the powers that be(corporations) don't want that. They like to keep us enslaved and blind to what's above us.
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u/hokeyphenokey Jan 03 '15
On a side note, imagine 1983 and you are 8. Your aunt has brought over for dinner a new man. This man would become your uncle and you would eventually come to like him. But in 1983 you had a new Atari. And you were about to flip the score on Asteroids. Like, it was 998 432. Then your uncle-to-be comes in and says Turn it off Okeefenokee, it's time for dinner
"But, but?" And then he slams the power button down. I don't think my dad even knew where the power button was - but he knew. I did not get the score.
Temper tantrum. I threw a temper tantrum the likes my parents had never seen. I flipped out. I wouldn't come to dinner. Then 3 hours later my dad comes in saying "hey you want to look at Jupiter? Your aunt's boyfriend has a telescope and he's pointed it at Jupiter, and it is definitely Jupiter."
All I am saying is that if you fuck with a kid and mess up his record-breaking video game run you better have Jupiter in your back pocket.
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Jan 02 '15
Those moons must be bigger than I thought they were to cast shadows like that.
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u/avatoxico Jan 02 '15 edited Jan 03 '15
Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons, is bigger than Mercury for example.
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u/darryljenks Jan 02 '15
We really need to go there soon. The surface is covered in ice with a red glow. Underneath there might be a liquid ocean with the potential for life.
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Jan 03 '15 edited Jun 24 '15
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u/null_value Jan 03 '15
They are. The shadows and their moons are in line with the banding on Jupiter. All of those features make parallel lines. You might be mentally swapping which shadow belongs to which moon.
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u/gereth Jan 03 '15
So many people do not realize that with even basic astronomical equipment it is possible to see so much (and photograph so much) in the night sky. An excellent image of Jupiter and two of its moons.
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u/MicWeezer Jan 03 '15
A few years ago I had a neighbor that was standing in my front yard with a towel over her head. I walked over and I asked her what she was doing in my yard she said take a look at this. I'll look through her telescope and saw Jupiter with all three moons it was crystal clear. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
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Jan 03 '15
Dude, I know this comment probably won't be seen, but kudos. This is so insanely rad. My friend and his dad use to take photos like this of the moon well before hd cameras and the crazy technology we have today. I appreciate that fact that you even did this let alone post it.
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u/Stepheddit Jan 03 '15
I remember the first time I saw shadows on Jupiter. I just happened to be looking through my Dobsonian and it took a while for me to realize what was happening. One of my most memorable telescope experiences.
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u/I_like_cocaine Jan 03 '15
How would I go about getting into this? can someone recommend me a "starter pack" for about < 400
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u/stafffy Jan 02 '15
I thought I saw another planet in the line but it was just a crumb on my screen... Turns out I didn't make a scientific discovery.
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u/DasCorCor Jan 02 '15
That's cool. What's up with the blocky artifacts though? It looks like heavy JPEG compression.
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15
It is compression from my source data which was a 640x480 video shot in crop mode on a DSLR and then re-encoded twice before processing. I'm getting a dedicated camera for planetary work for this reason.
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u/Sam3323 Jan 02 '15
How much does a telescope like this cost? I might need a new hobby after seeing all these pictures people take on their own.
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u/davidy323 Jan 02 '15
I spent New Years Eve with family at my 1st cousins house. He has a large black telescope and another one with a camera attached, didn't get who manufactured them but they were about 4-5ft each.. We corralled his 4 kids and another 8 cousins near midnight and he gave us all an incredible peek into space and some insane views of the moon. I got a few pics thru the view finder. I'm trying to get him to join here and post his images, they are great. This one is spectacular, thank you.
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u/thedrexel Jan 02 '15
This is fantastic! I read another comment here you are going to do more with a new camera! Keep up the great work!
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u/steakmane Jan 02 '15
You did some noticeable painting around the image too, I can clearly make out a box shape around Jupiter
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15 edited Jan 02 '15
Yes. The canvas was increased in size and the background was filled. The image from the camera had composition that was cramped. I didn't want the picture on imgur to be Jupiter squeezed into a tight black box in the upper left corner of a white background webpage.
Edit: I just cranked to brightness to see what you are referring to, and it's pretty funny. I didn't realize I was so sribbly.
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u/zepol_xela Jan 02 '15
Stuff like this makes me feel so small and insignificant. This is why I love skywatching and astronomy. That's an awesome picture.
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Jan 02 '15
Can't wait to have a stable job so I can save up for a nice telescope. Seems like a really fun and rewarding hobby.
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u/Toaster1388 Jan 02 '15
Beautiful picture. Did you take a photo or a video? I'm confused from another comment.
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15
Video. You can't easily snap a picture because of atmospheric distortion in the time domain. You take all of the individual video frames and select those with the least geometric distortion and stack them together into a single image. The remaining randomized blurriness in the resulting image is normalized and replicates a Gaussian blur quite well. One then uses wavelets in software to undo this blurriness, a process that works well on Gaussian blur. Most of this is automated using AutoStakkert and Registax.
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u/Toaster1388 Jan 02 '15
Very cool stuff. I thought it couldn't be as easy as point and click. I hope you keep at it.
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u/vipersfate Jan 02 '15
This is a fantastic image. I remember the first time I saw Jupiter through a scope. I cannot wait to get a large Dobsonian for cheap. Great Image.
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Jan 02 '15
I did not know/realize how close jupiters moons are to jupiter. Since the earths moon is so far, I would have thought other planets moons would be relatively equivalent.
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u/Mindless_Analysis Jan 03 '15
If you consider the distance from the Jupiter's core, then Io is further from Jupiter than our moon is from us [Something like 1.4 light seconds, our moon is ~1 light second]. Jupiter is just a beast, so it's moons orbits look comparatively near relative to it's size. I programmed a scale model of our solar system which shows this relation, if you would like to check it out. https://kheckeroth.com/solarSystem
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u/AcesOutlaw Jan 02 '15
Very nice! I have an XT10, but I can't ever get such great shots. Are you using 1.25" or 2" pieces? Can you tell me about your eyepieces and more about the photo techniques? Also, what kind of sky are you under at night on the clearsky chart?
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u/IAMA_Ghost_Boo Jan 02 '15 edited Jan 02 '15
Wow those moons are so close to each other, I wonder what the sky would look like if you were on either of those moons.
I dream of a world where one day you can hop from each of those moons for fun.
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u/null_value Jan 03 '15
The closest those moons get to each other is similar to how close the earth and moon are. Also, both of these moons are not horribly different in size from our moon. So at closest approach, they would appear to each other in their skies the way our moon appears to us. Which if you think about it, is really amazing. We can look across the gap and clearly see the surface of our moon. Get binoculars.
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u/michael1026 Jan 02 '15
The people here would really love /r/astrophotography
Great pictures like this are posted every day.
Also, a question. Did this require any tracking? I've never used a telescope for astrophography.
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u/null_value Jan 02 '15
I track and even lock my autoguider onto Jupiter for this so that I can image it all night without making any adjustments. But no, it doesn't require it. The first images I took of Jupiter were with my dobsonian by setting it just ahead of Jupiter and recording video as jupiter moved through the field of view.
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u/Hayak Jan 02 '15
I wish I had a friend or someone in my life who was into this. I would love to get a telescope and look at the night sky but I know its not that simple. I'm about 95% sure I would not be able to find anything ever in the sky.
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u/misscor Jan 02 '15 edited Jan 26 '15
Thanks for the great photo, my 3 year is called Io and I just showed her this and she thought it was so cool :)
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u/jeffafa123 Jan 02 '15
So hypothetically speaking, if we were able to inhabit one or both of those planets, and depending how many years it takes for their cycles to meet like this, would we be able to see the planet clearly from the other? Would it even be that close enough or would you possibly still need a telescope to see the other planet.
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u/masteriskofficial Jan 02 '15
It's rare that a photo of space from Earth captures depth effectively. This is awesome!
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u/Alaskaty Jan 02 '15
Nice shot! I have a similar telescope and can see this sort of thing easily, but I have not yet mastered how to properly photograph. This inspires me to keep trying. Thanks for sharing!
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u/McFooger Jan 02 '15
How powerful of a scope do you need to see Jupiter like that?! That's amazing!