Director: K. Horikawa, Secretary: Y. Iga
Jupiter passed solar conjunction on Oct. 22. The last observation of 2004-05 Apparition was reported from the following observer.
| Observer | Location | Telescope | Images/Drawings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukui, Hideto | (Shizuoka, Japan) | 25cm Refl. | 1 | image |
The last observation of 2004-05 Apparition was made by Fukui on Oct. 1, when altitude of Jupiter at sunset was less than 10 deg. We admire his enthusiasm for imaging in such poorest condition, in which it must have been difficult to even find Jupiter.
In his image, there were only two belts, NEB and SEB, and RS was barely seen. North of NEB was bright, and no sign of North Temperate Current-C was observed in this longitude range at least. The first observation of coming Apparition will be made early November. Then, observers should pay sufficient attention whether there is any dark disturbed marking to the north of NEB.
Saturn's elongation from the sun became larger gradually, and observation hours is shifting to after midnight from dawn. This month, we have received observations listed below.
| Observer | Location | Telescope | Images/Drawings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukui, Hideto | (Shizuoka, Japan) | 25cm Refl. | 2 | images |
| Ikemura, Toshihiko | (Nagoya, Japan) | 31cm Refl. | 10 | images |
| Kazemoto, Akira | (Kyoto, Japan) | 31cm Refl. | 3 | images |
| Nakai, Kenji | (Hiroshima, Japan) | 25cm MCT | 4 | images |
| Nakanishi, Hidekazu | (Aichi, Japan) | 30cm Refl. | 1 | image |
| Takimoto, Ikuo | (Kagawa, Japan) | 31cm Refl. | 2 | images |
| Vandebergh, Ralf | (Netherlands) | 25cm Refl. | 7 | images, 1 animation |
| Yoneyama, Seiichi | (Yokohama, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 1 | image |
| Yunoki, Kenkichi | (Osaka, Japan) | 20cm Refl. | 7 | images |
This month, white spot and dark spot could be seen in Vandebergh's image (Oct. 15). White spot was in southern EZ at around I:70 deg., associated with dusky marking like dark column on its preceding side. On the other hand, dark one was brownish smudge on STB at around III:50 deg. As Vandebergh's image has a tendency to be processed too much, it is likely that these features may be over-emphasized noises. But faint shading can be seen at the same longitude in images taken early November. Immediate observation to confirm these features is required.
(November 8, K. Horikawa)