Jupiter
Jupiter - King of Planets
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, a gas giant with a mass 2.5x all other planets combined. Its Great Red Spot is a storm larger than Earth that has raged for centuries.
Distance: 4.2 - 6.2 AU from Earth
Apparent Magnitude: -2.94 (max)
Apparent Size: 50" (max)
Orbital Period: 11.86 years
Key Features:
- Great Red Spot (350+ year old storm)
- 4 Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto)
- Fastest rotating planet (9.9 hours)
- 79 known moons
- Faint ring system
- Best planetary target for small scopes
Best Imaging Season: Opposition (every 13 months)
Optimal: High frame rate video (lucky imaging)