Great heavens above

Photographing the planets has proved a frustrating experience in recent weeks, says astronomical expert Ken Kennedy.

He says: “I’d hoped for the usual number of clear and frosty nights in November but there have really been none so far.

“October wasn’t much better, and I’d hoped to try imaging Jupiter often in both months to try to get stable air conditions for some sharp images.

“As it turns out, I’ve only managed to image Jupiter twice – and in rather unstable conditions. The last time, on November 3, I could hardly make out any detail on my laptop screen but pressed on with some video files having seen a dark area flickering in and out on one of the rather indistinct bands on Jupiter’s surface.

“I discovered that the dark patch was actually the shadow of the satellite Io being cast on the surface of Jupiter. Io itself is seen as a faint dot near the left edge of the planet.

“Mars is next for the same treatment so let’s hope it’s clearer as we enter December.”