Credit & Copyright: Marco Guidi
Explanation:
A 24 minute sequence from top to bottom,
this intriguing series of telescopic frames
tracks the occultation of Io by Callisto, two of Jupiter's
Galilean moons,
from San Pietro Polesine, Italy, planet Earth.
A challenging observational project using a small telescope,
the two contrasting
Jovian worlds
are both slightly
larger than Earth's Moon.
In fact, bright, volcanic
Io and dark, cratered
Callisto are
about 3,640 and 4,820 kilometers in diameter respectively.
With Earth itself now crossing near the orbital plane
of Jupiter's moons, astronomers are enjoying a season of
Galilean moon mutual
events ranging from eclipses to occultations.
The series of orbital plane crossings produce a
mutual event season every 5 to 6 years.
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Io - occultation
Publications with words: Io - occultation
See also: