|
Activities | Books to Buy Locate JupiterIf you see a bright star in the night sky and it’s not on the star map you’re using, you’re probably looking at a planet. Planets are seen close to the ecliptic, or Sun’s pathway across the sky. Five planets can be seen without the aid of a telescope: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. When Galileo aimed his telescope toward Jupiter, he discovered four of its moons. During most months, we can also see Jupiter, although we will need to use a simple telescope to view its moons. During the year 2003, Jupiter can be seen in every month except August. It can’t be seen in September during the year 2004, and it can’t be seen in October during the year 2005. Your view of Jupiter depends on whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere as you look toward the South, the earth’s rotation makes it appear as if Jupiter travels from left to right across the night sky. The opposite is true in the Southern Hemisphere. As you look to the North, it appears as if Jupiter is traveling from right to left. If searching for Jupiter during the months of November through March, the constellation Orion is a handy guide to use. |