Press Release
Jupiter and Saturn
January 28, 1999
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Object Name: Jupiter and Saturn Telescope: Subaru Telescope / Cassegrain Focus Instrument: CAC Filter: B (Blue), V (visible), R (red) Color: Blue (B), Green (V), Red (R) Date: UT 1999 Jan 22 Exposure: 0.1 sec for each of the B, V, and R filters (with an ND filter), except for the Saturn's B-band image taken with a 0.5 sec exposure Field of View: 50 arcsec by 50 arcsec |
Explanation:
Left: Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in
the solar system with a diameter 11 times larger than that
of the Earth. The image shows a complex feature of time
variable bands, running parallel to the equator. The famous
Great Red Spot is seen as an elliptical feature at the bottom
right. Its diameter is twice that of the Earth. A black
spot seen in the lower center is Ganymede, the third Jovian
satellite. It looks dark because its reflectivity (albedo)
is small compared to that of Jupiter. Ganymede's shadow
is located beyond the surface of Jupiter when this observation
was made. Images were taken at UT 5:34 for B, 5:39 for V,
and 5:43 for R.
Right: Saturn
Saturn is the second
largest planet in the solar system with a diameter 9 times
larger than that of the Earth. The image shows time variable
bands running parallel to the equator. These are similar
to those seen on Jupiter, but are simpler in appearance.
Saturn's rings have a diameter of 2.26 times larger than
that of Saturn. The rings consist of three major ringlets,
called the A, B, and C rings from outside to inside. The
C ring is too faint to be seen in this image. The gap between
the A and B rings is called Cassini's Division, after its
discoverer. Images were taken at UT 6:22 for B, 6:27 for
V, and 6:34 for R.