Simultaneous Shadow Transits across Jupiter

[Centaur]

On 2008 JUN 01 the shadows of two Galilean satellites (#2 Europa & #3 Ganymede) will transit Jupiter simultaneously for many observers in the eastern hemisphere. The same is true for those two satellites themselves. During this process a third satellite (#1 Io) will move first into eclipse and then occultation.

On my website are data I’ve determined for the timing of the events and two graphics I’ve created for illustration. The first graphic displays a view from above Jupiter’s north pole and the second one is a view from Earth. To see all three of these charts go to: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos or descriptions of the events would be welcome additions to this thread.

Edit: Since the event is now past I have replaced the June 1 graphics with those for the June 22 dual shadow transits that will be visible from North America.

[lunsar]

Good work. Looks like occurs in the daytime though. Bummer.

[man on the moon]

Is there any relation to the timing of this (http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080516-ns-jupiter-moons.html) event, or is it just a coincidence?

(The link goes to space.com's article about all 4 Galilean satellites being out of view last week).

[Centaur]

Is there any relation to the timing of this (http://www.space.com/spacewatch/080516-ns-jupiter-moons.html) event, or is it just a coincidence?

(The link goes to space.com's article about all 4 Galilean satellites being out of view last week).

It’s just coincidence. Jupiter without visible satellites is a relatively rare event. Dual shadow transits are not. The next occurrence of no visible satellites will be on 2009 SEP 03 then a long gap until 2019 NOV 09.

Quadruple shadow transits are impossible due to a real physical commensurability among the orbital periods of the three inner Galilean satellites. Triple shadow transits require the participation of #4 Callisto. The three inner satellites are involved in occultations, transits, eclipses and shadow transits every time they orbit the planet. Callisto goes through long periods in which these events are impossible. We’ve just begun a nearly three-year period in which Callisto participates in these events, thus making more frequent the occurrence of dual shadow transits. No triple shadow transits will occur during the current series of Callisto events. The next one will be on 2013 OCT 12.

I predict there will be dual shadow events this summer on JUN 01, JUN 08, JUN 15, JUN 22, AUG 05, AUG 19, AUG 26, SEP 02, SEP 07 and then a gap until Christmastime.