I tried viewing Jupiter again this evening, ca. 11:00PM
and it was just as bright and high as before, approx. SSW in direction.
All 4 of the Gallilean moons were still visible All 4 had
completely
reversed their positions respective to Jupiter -- in two days time:
the two nearest (Io & Europa) were now on the right --
the two two most distant (Ganymede and Callisto) were now on the left.
I make no pretense at being knowledgeable beyond what Wikipedia
tells me,
but there's always a small thrill in realizing that in 1610, with a
30x lens,
this is exactly the same view Galileo saw and altered our history
forever.
Thanks to those who wrote about their own fascination with this
oppotunity.
This time I did see two shadowy birds fly by
-- perhaps an upland sandpiper.
Perhaps not.
Leo Weigant
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