Jupiter

DETAILS: Imaged with the STV Digital Camera and Autoguider at f20, LX200 10", RGB filter set in a Lumicon filter slide. Aligned, sharpened, and color combined in MaxIm DL.

COMMENTARY: Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun at 5.2 AU. It is the largest of the solar system planets, and contains about 70% of the mass of the solar system not counting the sun. It is one of the brightest objects in the night sky at opposition with a magnitude between 2.3 and 2.9. Its dark rotating bands of gases circle the surface at differing velocities depending on the latitude, giving Jupiter its distinct and colorful banding. Shown in this image is the Giant Red Spot (not very red), a cyclonic storm.