Jupiter's Satellites - Multiple Events - May 17

[Centaur]

Galilean satellite #1 Io, its shadow and that of #4 Callisto will simultaneously appear in transit across the disk of Jupiter on 2009 MAY 17. This will occur during the predawn hours while Jupiter is above the horizon for many North Americans. Shortly thereafter, Io while still transiting Jupiter will become partially (northern 79% of Io’s diameter) occulted by Callisto’s shadow; although only westerners will see that partial eclipse as a nighttime event. I’ve created three related graphics. They can be seen at: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Below are my calculated timings in CDT (UT – 5) for the night of May 16/17:

23:34:25 Partial shadow transit of Callisto begins
23:46:49 Total shadow transit of Callisto begins
02:54:29 Partial shadow transit of Io begins
02:59:20 Total shadow transit of Io begins
04:12:52 Partial transit of Io begins
04:16:25 Total transit of Io begins
04:18:36 Total shadow transit of Callisto ends
04:23:38 Partial shadow transit of Callisto ends
05:09:20 Total shadow transit of Io ends
05:11:07 Partial shadow transit of Io ends
05:47:30 Partial occultation of Io by Callisto’s shadow begins
05:55:18 Maximum 79% occultation of Io by Callisto’s shadow
06:03:13 Partial occultation of Io by Callisto's shadow ends
06:30:57 Total transit of Io ends
06:34:31 Partial transit of Io ends

Photos, descriptions and timing verifications of these events would be welcome additions to this thread.

[blueshift]

Thanks for the details. We will be out that night at our favorite site in Kirkland, Illinois and those who do imaging will appreciate your input.

[spaceboy0]

How deep into the year do we see Callisto shadow transits?

[Centaur]

Thanks for the details. We will be out that night at our favorite site in Kirkland, Illinois and those who do imaging will appreciate your input.

From Vancouver how high will Jupiter be in sky at start of Callisto shadow transit at 23:34 CDT?

You’re welcome, Blueshift. May your skies be clear. I’m looking forward to your images.

Spaceboy0, I’ll assume that you mean Vancouver, British Columbia. On May 17 Jupiter will rise for you at 02:30 PDT (04:30 CDT), which is after Callisto’s shadow will complete its transit. However, those of you on the west coast will have the good fortune of being able to witness at nighttime the 79% partial occultation of Io by Callisto’s shadow, while Io is still transiting Jupiter. For that event Jupiter will be at an altitude of 12.2° as seen from Vancouver. For those of us much further east, Jupiter will be higher but the Sun will be up.

[spaceboy0]

Because Callisto's orbit is so large it's shadow cone only crosses Jupiter for a short period every 6 years.

Sadly me being in Vancouver I'm going to miss tommorow's Callisto shadow event cause Jupiter will not have risen.

When does this Callisto's shadow cycle end?

Also, am I correct in assuming that Callisto's umbra shadow is the largest of the 4 shadows because of Callisto's distant range?

[Centaur]

How deep into the year do we see Callisto shadow transits?

Callisto shadow transits will remain possible at about 17-day intervals through 2010 OCT 18. Then the series will resume on 2013 JUL 03.

[spaceboy0]

your Blackhawks knocked my Canucks out of the hockey playoffs!

[Centaur]

Also, am I correct in assuming that Callisto's umbra shadow is the largest of the 4 shadows because of Callisto's distant range?

The umbra actually shrinks with distance; it’s the penumbra that grows. At Jupiter’s distance from the Sun, neither shadow type changes much from the size of the satellite. The largest Galilean satellite, Ganymede, also has the largest umbra.

[Centaur]

your Blackhawks knocked my Canucks out of the hockey playoffs!

Sorry, I didn’t realize that. Better luck next year. Right now I’m into the Cubs. I had intended to be watching them play the Astros right now, but the game has been rained out. It’s not just astronomers who are plagued by bad weather.

[R.A.F.]

Jupiter's satellites...

Thankyou, Centaur for "getting it right". You could very easily have use the term "moons", instead you correctly use the term, "satellites".

I (for one) appreciate that... :)