It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

JUPITER!

JUPITER AT ITS BRIGHTEST: Jupiter reaches maximum brilliance this week, on July 9th, when it makes its closest approach to Earth for all of 2008. At sunset, look low and southeast for a beacon of light brighter than any star. That is Jupiter rising for an all-night transit across the southern sky. During this time of closest approach, Jupiter makes a wonderful target for backyard telescopes. Even small telescopes reveal the planet's cloud belts, its four largest moons, and the Great Red Spot, an anti-cyclone twice as wide as Earth. Just a few days ago, the Great Red Spot ran over a sibling, the Little Red Spot, and may have destroyed the smaller storm. Amateur images of the collision are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com .

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

Too cloudy right now right around where I am. >:(

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

Boo hoo :( Jupiter is remarkably bright. It's a "What is that bright thing in the sky?" bright.

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

Can't see a thing - too much smoke from all the fires.

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

UU - you can even see the moons with a decent pair of binoculars.

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

I have tried looking at it with my bird binoculars every night this week, but I'm not steady enough to see the moons. It's just a jittery blur to me. Maybe I need a tripod or a real telescope. :dontknow:
Jittery Judy

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

The old rolled up magazine didn't work for you Judy??? LOLOL :joke:

Re: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
 

Well that explains it, Chelsea! I've been using the paper towel tubes. I'll give the magazines a try! LOL