TO THE EDITOR OF THE ASTRONOMICAL REGISTER. Sir, -At 8h. 44
m. on Sunday evening, the 26th of April, when the 2nd Satellite of Jupiter was
occulted by the Planet, a most extraordinary phenomenon took place: the
Satellite was distinctly seen to be projected clearly inside the limb of
Jupiter for near twenty seconds. (Aperture 8 inches, power 250.) Has this ever
been noticed before? I have seen this in occultations of Stars by the Moon, but
never before with the Satellites of Jupiter.
I am, Sir, truly yours,
Highgate Hill, May 5, 1863. W. WRAY
We observed the same occultation at Clapton,
telescope 4 ft. focus, 3in. aperture power 100. Although no projection on the
disc was noted, the Satellite seemed to disappear and appear again several
times before it was finally occulted by the Planet. Arago says, (vol. 2, p.
347.) It has often been remarked indeed that a Star before disappearing was
projected on the apparent disc of the Moon, and very curiously this phenomenon
, often visible to an able observer furnished with good instruments , was not
perceived by an observer situated close beside , and employing a comparatively
inferior instrument . " The two observations would seem to confirm this.
-Ed
www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment