Austin

AstroChallenge contributor

Points: 5562

Observations: 74

Kudos: 48

NameAustin Riba
LocationSanta Barbara, California
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Latitude34.4058592738
Longitude-119.696321208
Altitude10m

Beginner astronomer, constant neck-ache, Admin of Astrochallenge.com

Clear
Callisto

Orion 10'' SkyQuest dobsonian
50 points

Viewed from Joshua Tree National Forest, along with Jupiter and the three other Galilean moons.

Ganymede

Orion 10'' SkyQuest dobsonian
50 points

Viewed from Joshua Tree National Forest, along with Jupiter and the three other Galilean moons.

Io

Orion 10'' SkyQuest dobsonian
50 points

Viewed from Joshua Tree National Forest, along with Jupiter and the three other Galilean moons.

Europa

Orion 10'' SkyQuest dobsonian
50 points

Viewed from Joshua Tree National Forest, along with Jupiter and the three other Galilean moons.

Venus

Orion 10'' SkyQuest dobsonian
100 points

We observed Venus during a camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Venus was an evening star shining brightly over the western horizon, which was a beautiful volcanic ridge covered in shrubs and cactus.

The question was raised: "how would you prove the earth is not the center of the universe?" and we discussed the phase of Venus. Turns out it is impossible for Venus to show the full phases that we observe yet have rotating around the earth. Here's a great animation:

Ptolemaic venus animation

We observed Venus and it showed a phase, about 75%. Although that phase could show in a geocentric model, we left it at that.

InstrumentObservations
Naked eye 7
Orion 10'' SkyQuest dobsonian 53
Orion Scenix 10x50 Binoculars 2
Mead LX200 (Cabrillo Observatory) 4
LCOGT 1Meter Scope - Sinistro 8