Solar System

Jupiter Rotation and Ganymede Surface Details

The fast rotation of Jupiter is evident in these two images taken only half an hour apart. Jupiter completes a full rotation in just 9 hours and 50 minutes. The planet is therefore also significantly eccentric, being wider along the equator than from pole to pole.
In these images the solar systems largest moon, Ganymede, is transiting in front of the lover part of Jupiter's disc. Notice the surface details visible on this moon.

OPTICS: 10" Newtonian f/5.2, TeleVue 5x Powermate
MOUNT: Losmandy G11 equatorial
CAMERA: Philips ToUCam Pro SC1 webcam
FILTERS: None
EXPOSURE: 12:50: 1000 x 1/25th s, 13:35: 1800 x 1/25th s
DATE/TIME: 05/04/2006 12:50 & 13:35 UTC
LOCATION: My backyard observatory in west Auckland, New Zealand