Jupiter and the Galileans

Composite image of Jupiter and the 4 Galilean Moons on the 25th May 2017. Taken with the Meade 127mm Apo Refractor, x3 Televue Barlow lens and the QHY5-11 Planetary Camera

"The four largest moons of Jupiter are known as the Galilean Moons as they were first seen and recognized for what they are, satellites of Jupiter, in 1610 by Galileo Galilei. Galileo was living in Florence when he used his refracting telescope to investigate the Solar System's largest planet - Jupiter.

We have just returned from Florence and whilst there were able to locate the house from which these observations were believed to have been made". Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Galileo's House in Florence

Galileo on the Wall -"with a smile that says it all, as he sees the rise and fall of every soldier passing".

Wall plaque commemorating the observation of the Galilean Moons or Medicei Satellites (or Medicei stars) as they were than known

" The night of the 25th of May 2017 was clear and still over our sleepy town of Lowestoft. Kurt was out in the Observatory until 5.00 am the following morning. When he awoke, around about lunch time, I had aleady been hard at work for several hours in the imaging studio, manipulating the Jupiter data set obtained the night before. I am quite pleased with the image which shows a number of cloud top features." Pipp Stakkert Imaging Team Leader at the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

The planet Jupiter on the 25th May 2017. Taken with the Meade 127mm Apo Refractor, x3 Televue Barlow lens and the QHY5-11 Planetary Camera