Page 14 The many visitors
Jupiter's largest moon to
Ganymede, the astronomy groups last
observing night were treated to some very nice views of Jupiter and some of its moons. A moon is any body of rock, gas or whatever, that orbits a planet, some are tiny like Phobos and Deimos around Mars, some like Ganymede are bigger than the planet Mercury, so this month we're having a closer look at Jupiter's largest moon.
Named after a mythical Greek boy, and first seen by our old friend Galileo, Ganymede can be seen with a decent pair of binoculars. If you look at it, then go back a night later, it will have moved, that's how mankind discovered orbits and the make up of the solar system, the birth of modern astronomy.
It's a cold place, averaging around -150ºC, and that's in the daytime! At night, well, you'll need more than a coat. However, if you can find a decent spaceship, you will have a view to boggle the imagination, Jupiter is only around 600,000 miles away, and looms huge, red and violent in the sky.
Visiting spacecraft have taught us a lot, a saltwater ocean under the surface, an iron core just like earth, auroras like our northern lights. Plus much more.
In 2022 the European Space Agency (ESA) is sending a mission to the moons of Jupiter, and especially to Ganymede. It has the lovely name, JUICE, for JUpiter ICy moons Explorer so astronomers are looking forward to learning a great deal more in the future. I doubt I will be around to report on that, science is a long term project.
The Astronomy group are having another observing night on 1st September, at Punta Prima near the Nautilus Bar. This time we will be looking at Saturn, the most spectacular planets in the system. Mark your diaries now.
Charles Oates.
QF Focus Magazine
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