The Hindu : New Delhi News : A celestial treat today

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Friday, Aug 14, 2009
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A celestial treat today

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: Sky-watchers can get a good view of Jupiter today either through a 75mm telescope or with their naked eyes.

According to Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) president C. B. Devgun, his non-government organisation will video-record the entire event and then screen it at a public forum in the Capital for celestial lovers. “For the event, amateur astronomers don’t have to visit any sight but see Jupiter opposition through telescopes or binoculars in their homes,” he said.

“August is a very special month this year for Jupiter. One can see it shining like a bright bulb in the eastern part of the skies after sunset,” said Mr. Devgun. Jupiter reaches opposition at 11-23 p.m. this Friday. “An object is at opposition when the sun is on one side of the earth and the object is directly on the opposite side. The result is that the object is fully illuminated by the sun and appears disk-like,” he added.

Even with inexpensive binoculars anyone can see Jupiter’s four largest moons -- Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, and Io.

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