Explanation:
On
October 29 (UT), Jupiter,
the
solar system's largest planet, will be at opposition,
opposite the Sun in planet Earth's sky,
shining brightly and rising as the Sun sets.
That
configuration results in Jupiter's almost annual
closest approach to planet Earth, so near opposition
the gas giant offers earthbound telescopes stunning views of its
stormy, banded atmosphere and large
Galilean moons.
This sharp snapshot of Jupiter was captured on October 13 with the
1 meter telescope
at the Pic Du Midi
mountain top observatory in the
French Pyrenees.
North is up in the image that shows off oval shaped vortices
and planet girdling
dark belts
and light zones.
Also seen in remarkable detail, Jupiter's
icy Ganymede,
the solar system's largest moon, is emerging from
behind the planet (top) while
volcanic Io
enters the frame near the lower left edge.
