In 2012 I made four sketches of Jupiter. I also started to include more informaton in my sketches.


Jupiter - November 22, 2012

At this point during the 2012 apparition the GRS was extremely pale and hard to spot.



Jupiter - December 6, 2012

The GRS was not the only Jovian feature to be so pale as to be almost non existent. The three main belts were also pretty devoid of any observable features.



Jupiter - December 17, 2012

This sketch shows some of the features in the belts starting to appear again. For some reason, the light pollution and humidity that night combined to make observing colors impossible. So much for light pollution not affecting planetary observation.



Jupiter - December 28, 2012

By this point the GRS was well into its revival and details were showing up in the bands and zones. Also, notice the yellow color that appeared in one of the bands. Planetary observing is definitely not the same old unchanging and boring view, as some claim.

 

Compared to the bland appearance of 2011 and 2012, Jovian features were more pronounced and intense during the 2013 apparition.


Jupiter - January 1, 2013

Not only were the Jovian details getting better, but the included information in my sketches were improving considerably. As to the GRS, take note of what I wrote regarding my observation.



Jupiter - January 3, 2013

I simply made this sketch to show the star HR 1370 in the field with the three Galilean Moons. I thought it looked neat.



Jupiter - October 3, 2013

During this observation I saw the shadow of Io transiting the Jovian surface as well as the Galilean Moon Ganymede close by the shadow.



Jupiter - December 10, 2013

This sketch shows a very interesting positioning of Jupiters moons. There is a lot of information in the sketch about the colors of the moons and planet, as well as observed features.

 

I only made two sketches of Jupiter in 2014.


Jupiter - August 16, 2014

I made this early morning observation before getting ready for work. The perspectives of Jupiter and Venus were quite interesting through the telescope vs naked eye, as noted. I'm also amazed at the ammount of detail I observed through the 70mm achromat I used to have. It was quite light and easy to deploy for quick, early morning observing.



Jupiter - November 6, 2014

I made this observation with a 127mm Synta Mak I used to have. I was always amazed by the ammount of detail I could observe through this little lightweight scope. Of note is the very long and strong wake made by the GRS.

 

I only made this sketch of Jupiter in 2015.


Jupiter - March 2, 2015

I made this sketch primarily to show the Ganymede shadow transit, as well as the GRS. Not exactly an over abundance of notes in this sketch.

 

I only made this sketch in 2016, and it departs from the mainstream sketches.


Jupiter - May 25, 2016

On another website I used to frequent there was a discussion about observing with small scopes to try to simulate what Galileo would have observed. Of course, no matter how much you stop down a modern achromat the views are going to be considerably better because of the better finished Crown/Flint objective. I believe Galileo had a single lens scope that wasn't very big. Regardless, it was very interesting and made me appreciate the modern scopes we have.

This was the last year I made sketches. In 2017 I got into astro photography, mainly the planets and moon. The time I spent sketching really helped me develop my observational skills, especially with minute details and color. I hope you enjoyed looking at my Jupiter sketches.

Ed D

 

Neb, Reggie; thank you, and I'm happy you like the sketches. Looking through them and comparing I'm sure you can see how the visible features change over time.

Ed

 

Thanks, Jeff. I'm happy you liked them.

When I posted my Jupiter sketches, which Reggie motivated me to do, I had no idea they would be liked so much. Thanks again!

Ed