Observation by Chris Hooker: Io's sodium cloud, 16th August 2023

Uploaded by

Chris Hooker

Observer

Chris Hooker

Observed

2023 Aug 16 - 02:12

Uploaded

2023 Aug 28 - 09:55

Objects

Jupiter

Equipment

254mm F/6.3 Newtonian
Re-imaging 2.2x focal reducer
Alluxa D-line sodium filter
ASI174MM camera

Exposure

15 seconds @ F/2.9

Location

Didcot, Oxfordshire

Target name

Jupiter

Title

Io's sodium cloud, 16th August 2023

About this image

This image of Io's sodium cloud was captured before the other one posted here from 27th August, but no comparison UHC image was obtained. On this occasion the sodium cloud appears as a relatively narrow jet extending away from Jupiter and tilted down with respect to Io's orbital plane. The right-hand image is an annotated copy of the other, identifying the visible moons and ghost images that are also present.

The reason for the difference in brightness of the cloud in this image compared to the other is not clear, but may be due to Io being in a different position in its orbit.

Files associated with this observation

Io sodium cloud 16 Aug 23.png (152.6 kB)

Like this image

Mattia Piccoli, Bill Leatherbarrow, Graham Winstanley, Dr Paul Leyland, Jeremy Shears, Grant Privett, Philip Masding, Martin Lewis, Mike Foulkes, John Rogers, James Weightman, Steve Knight, Robin Leadbeater, Mark Phillips, Jim Tomney

Comments

John Rogers, 2023 Aug 30 - 18:19 UTC

This is a fantastic achievement, Chris -- I believe these are the first amateur images of the Io sodium cloud.

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