The transit of Io across Jupiter 28 September 2011Home

On 28th September 2011, Io passed between Jupiter and both the Sun and the Earth resulting in a transit and a shadow transit.  As is usual, the shadow was much easier to see than the satellite. Io shows up easily in the first three pictures taken before the transit started, and can just be made out in the next three pictures.  Unfortunately conditions deteriorated ken almost a month earlier so the Sun is to our left as we look at Jupiter and the shadow precedes the satellite as it moves across the planet.  After the conjunction, the Sun will be on the right and the shadow will trail the satellite.

On the left are the 10 frames that contribute to the animations below.  The time of each frame is shown below it.  I didn't manage to get the pictures at regular intervals, so I have made two animations.  In the first I have adjusted things so that it runs at 120 times the real speed but this makes it rather jerky, so in the second animation, I have the frames at equal intervals.  See which you prefer.

Unfortunately conditions deteriorated as time went on and I had to try to compensate in the processing.  It is a particular shame as I lose Io as it passes over the GRS.

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