Free and Open to the Public 

In-person and via Zoom

Ask for the Zoom link via info@vtastro.org

VAS Members will be emailed the Zoom link

The in-person will be at the Brownell Library on 2A near 5-Corners in Essex Junction.
 
At this time the library policy is that attendees of group meetings at the library must continue to wear masks. That policy may change over time, so watch for announcements.
 
The intention is to also stream the main speaker and presentation via Zoom for those who choose to attend remotely. If you don't have Zoom installed, the application will automatically download and install when you click the link.  Or go to Zoom.us to download the interface application.

Note:
The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, but you can join starting at about 7:15 or 7:20 PM to give you time to connect and work out any issues.

Introduction to Observing Jupiter “The Amateurs’ Planet” in Autumn 2022
(The best opportunity to observe it in 70 years)
By Gary T. Nowak
Jupiter is the King of the Planets; being the largest planet in the Solar System. This makes Jupiter an easy target for visual telescopic observations. Jupiter is the most rewarding planet in the Solar System for the Amateur Astronomers. Its disk presents more detail, color, and variations than any other planet in the Solar System. Those features that are visible through the amateur telescope eyepiece are the top layers of Jupiter’s clouds.
Galileo first discovered Jupiter’s four largest and brightest moons with a “crude telescope”  on 7 Jan 1610. These 4 bright moons are one of the best know planetary moons in the Solar System. Amateur telescopes give a great view of these 4 moons. Their positions changing hourly as they revolve around Jupiter.
This presentation  will be divided into 4 sections:
The first section will briefly go over Jupiter’s orbit, atmospheric make up and its observational window time frame.
The second section will briefly go over the amateur telescopes for observing Jupiter, planetary colored filters and seeing conditions.
The third section will look at Jupiter’s main cloud belts and cloud zones. This includes an overview of the main cloud belt features and Great Red Spot.
The fourth or last section will deal with the 4 Galilean Moons and their orbital activities which produce transits, eclipses, and occultations. Each of the 4 moons will be looked at individually for their disk details.
After this presentation, the audience should have an understanding on why Jupiter is known as “The Amateurs’ Planet” and a very popular amateur telescopic showpiece.

Following the main presentation, our recurring monthly presentations will include Constellation of the Month  by Terri Zittritsch