| Observer | Location | Telescope | Images/Drawings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Einaga, Hideo | (Kasai, Japan) | 25cm Refl. | 6 | images |
| Iga, Yuichi | (Kyoto, Japan) | 28cm SCT | 9 | images |
| Horikawa, Kuniaki | (Yokohama, Japan) | 16cm Refl. | 5 | drawings |
| Kazemoto, Akira | (Kumiyama, Japan) | 31cm Refl. | 2 | images |
| Oyamada, Hiroyuki | (Hadano, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 1 | image |
| Yoneyama, Seiichi | (Yokohama, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 3 | images |
The first observation in 2003-04 apparition was made on Sep. 8 (UT) by Iga and Horikawa. It had only been 17 days since solar conjunction.
On Jupiter, something unusual was observed in SEB, in spite of early stage of the apparition. In the last apparition, mid-SEB outbreak took place in Dec. 2002 at around II:145 deg., continuing its activity until Mar. 2003. But, near the end of the apparition, only 1-2 white ovals could be seen following GRS, and SEBn recovered its original darkness and width following the region. However, Horikawa observed on Sep. 17 that dark prominent SEBn was lost in preceding sector around II:190 deg., where SEBZ was light and somewhat disturbed. Also, SEB was seen light following GRS (Sep. 26, Iga, Yoneyama, and Horikawa). Therefore, it is likely that new activity of white clouds began between apparitions. It might possibly be newly developed mid-SEB outbreak, since it is too far from ordinary active region following GRS. Though poor condition in early apparition prevented us from getting details of the activity, Iga's image on Sep. 26 shows diffuse oblique structure across SEB around II:130 deg., which implies that the range of new activity is at least 60 deg. in longitude. If drift rate of former mid-SEB outbreak (-1.7 deg./day) can be applied, this activity might take place near conjunction on Aug. 22 or before. It is merely conjecture, because we have few observations at present. We have to wait for further observations with higher resolution.
The other aspect of Jupiter is almost the same as that in the end of last apparition. Except for the sector described above, SEB is broad and darkest belt as prominent as NEB, which is somewhat narrow. STB is weak or invisible in almost longitude, but prominent dark segment can be seen preceding II:340 deg. RS is located II:90 deg. (Sep. 26, Iga), as orangish oval with diffuse outline. BA has not observed in this apparition yet, which would be located around II:220 deg. North of NEB, no prominent feature can be seen, because NTB and NNTB had faded away. But, in good condition, weak gray line as remnant of NTB and dark segment of NNTB are seen (Sep. 30, Iga).
(2) Saturn
In this month, we have received observations listed below. Pellier's images are forwarded by Minami, the Director of Mars Section of OAA. And, Meiji University Astronomical Club sent a set of images taken at Ashigara Observatory owned by the club.
| Observer | Location | Telescope | Images/Drawings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iga, Yuichi | (Kyoto, Japan) | 28cm SCT | 5 | images |
| Ikemura, Toshihiko | (Nagoya, Japan) | 31cm Refl. | 2 | images |
| Kazemoto, Akira | (Kumiyama, Japan) | 31cm Refl. | 3 | images |
| Meiji Univ. | (Ashigara, Japan) | 21cm Refl. | 12 | imaegs |
| Nakai, Kenji | (Hiroshima, Japan) | 25cm SCT | 3 | images |
| Nakanishi, Hidekazu | (Bisai, Japan) | 30cm Refl. | 1 | image |
| Oyamada, Hiroyuki | (Hadano, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 1 | image |
| Pellier, Christophe | (France) | 18cm Refl. | 9 | images |
| Yoneyama, Seiichi | (Yokohama, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 5 | images |
| Yunoki, Kenkichi | (Sakai, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 1 | image |
In this month, a white spot is noted on Saturn. The first observation was made by Pellier on Sep. 13 as white oval in STrZ. According to measurement by Peach, the Director of Saturn section of BAA, location of the spot was -41 deg. in latitude, and about III: 200 deg. Pellier's images on Sep. 17 shows the spot but very low-contrast. It would be required larger aperture and good condition to catch such a delicate object clearly. Among the other images, spot-like marking was taken by Iga on Sep. 11 near CM, and its latitude and longitude indicate that it might be the same object as Pellier's, if it is not a false feature by image processing. Because no images are found except for above images, drift rate of the spot has not been determined yet. We expect further observations.
(October 7, K. Horiakwa)
[Fig.1] New activity of mid-SEB outbreakH |
 |
| 2003/9/17 20:16UT |
| I=116.7 II=191.7 |
| 16cm Refl. K. Horikawa |
[Fig.2] White spot on Saturn |
 |
| 2003/9/11 20:01UT |
| I=230.4 III=192.9 |
| 28cm SCT Y. Iga |