{"id":45009,"date":"2023-05-15T08:19:14","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T08:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=118680"},"modified":"2023-05-15T08:32:30","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T08:32:30","slug":"how-to-photograph-and-see-this-weeks-lunar-occultation-of-jupiter","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-to-photograph-and-see-this-weeks-lunar-occultation-of-jupiter\/","title":{"rendered":"How to photograph (and see) this week\u2019s lunar occultation of Jupiter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Find out how you can safely and accurately observe and image Jupiter disappear behind the Moon on 17 May. <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 15 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

There\u2019s no denying that the occultation<\/a> or close pass (depending on your location) event with the Moon and Jupiter on 17 May will be hard to observe, as it takes place during daylight hours.<\/p>\n

However, given clear skies, Jupiter can definitely be seen in a blue sky, either using binoculars or through a telescope.<\/p>\n

A good challenge is to go one further and try to photograph the planet.<\/p>\n

In this guide we\u2019ll show you how you can capture the close pass or \u2013 if you\u2019re in the right location \u2013 the lunar occultation of Jupiter on 17 May<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more astronomy advice, sign up to receive the BBC Sky at Night Magazine e-newsletter<\/a> and listen to our monthly Star Diary podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Lunar occultation Jupiter 17 May 2023<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

What equipment to use<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A daylight sky will greatly reduce contrast in the visible spectrum, but as long as you can locate Jupiter<\/a>, switching to an infrared pass filter combined with an infrared-sensitive camera should make it possible to improve the view.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have such equipment, don\u2019t worry.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still possible to get an unfiltered shot of the planet using a DSLR, but you may need to work a bit harder to separate its dim, low-contrast disc from the sky.<\/p>\n

Find out more in our guide to DSLR astrophotography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Illustration showing the lunar occultation of Jupiter on 17 May 2023. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Finding the Moon during daylight<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The event on 17 May will have the benefit of the Moon being nearby, but even this may be challenging.<\/p>\n

With a waning crescent phase at 7% illumination, the Moon too will appear quite indistinct against the blue sky.<\/p>\n

There are various ways to locate the Moon during daytime<\/a>. The easiest is to catch it earlier as it rises in darker skies.<\/p>\n

On 17 May 2023 this will happen around 04:30 BST (03:30 UT) from the centre of the UK.<\/p>\n

Using a polar-aligned<\/a> equatorial telescope mount, you\u2019ll need to set the drive to its lunar rate, then centre the view on the Moon\u2019s disc.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unsure about the precision of the polar alignment, you\u2019ll need to schedule in periodic checks.<\/p>\n

Another method is to estimate where the Moon will be at a set time and try to locate it that way.<\/p>\n

At 11:24 BST (10:24 UT), the Moon will appear at an altitude around 47\u00b0 due south.<\/p>\n

This should give you enough information to get into the general area.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The northern part of the UK will experience a rare daylight lunar occultation of the planet Jupiter on 17 May 2023. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

As ever, take great care when looking as the Sun will be up and relatively close by.<\/p>\n

Observing from safely inside the shadow of a building so the Sun can\u2019t be seen is a good strategy to keep safe.<\/p>\n

Viewing the Sun with the naked eye is extremely dangerous, so care must be taken at all times.<\/p>\n

Once you have managed to locate the Moon, Jupiter should be a lot easier to find.<\/p>\n

Just be prepared for its disc to be extremely low in contrast, almost a ghost of its nighttime self.<\/p>\n

Use the Moon as your focus target, taking care to focus as accurately as possible.<\/p>\n

The sky can be bright, but don\u2019t allow it to over-expose or you won\u2019t be able to recover the planet.<\/p>\n

Once taken, adjust the levels of the image using your favourite image-editing program (have a look at our list of the best free astronomy software<\/a>), darkening the sky with the mid-point slider and tweaking to bring out weak Jupiter at its best.<\/p>\n

Did you manage to see or photograph Jupiter\u2019s close pass or occultation? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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