Moons of Jupiter

Project Aims

• to determine the basic orbital parameters of Jupiter's Galilean satellites
• to make observations of the fainter satellites of Jupiter like Himalia and make rough estimates of their orbital periods

Project Notes

1. Learn how to use the telescope and CCD system efficiently

   • Attend the observing training sessions
   • Undertake the CyberSky "Patterns of motion in the Sky" exercise to refresh your understanding of the apparent movement of the night sky
   • Study the provided reference material on the telescope, CCD and software
   • Examine the Meade LX200 Telescope manual
   • Examine the ECU manual
   • Examine the SBIG CCD manual

2. Research background material

   • Understand the aims of the project
   • Study the Web-based information linked from the provided References page
   • Revise the material covered in the "Observational Techniques" part of Level-2 "Stars and Galaxies" module
   • Search out additional sources of information

3. Plan your project

   • Estimate the likely exposure times required for your targets
   • Estimate how many observations you will need for your study
   • Plan your project write-up; consult the online Report Format Guide (on sharepoint, linked from the module page on blackboard under "Assignments") and Marking Criteria (proforma and assessment criteria on sharepoint, linked from the module page on blackboard under "Start Here -> Feedback on assessed work").

4. Write-up the "Introduction and Background" sections of your project

5. Make observations of Galilean satellites regularly, as the weather permits, during the term (this project would benefit from a student group willing to make at least 15 observations).
   • Identify the satellites using Dan Bruton's SATSAT2 software or JPL's Solar System Simulator or JPL's HORIZON system
   • Measure the satellite positions relative to Jupiter in pixels
   • Measure the pixel scale of the images from observations of nearby star fields
   • How do your measured positions relative to Jupiter compare with those given by JPL's HORIZONS System?
   • Write-up your results and conclusions

6. Develop a simple programme to derive the basic orbital parameters, e.g. the orbital periods, for the four Galilean satellites,

   • Study Chapter 44, "Positions of the Satellities of Jupiter" in Jean Meeus' "Astronomical Alogorithms"
   • Develop a simple strategy to find the orbital parameters
   • Test your programme using `perfect' data from JPL Horizons
   • Apply your programme to your data
   • Assess the random and systematic uncertainties of your method
   • Determine the orbital parameters (and their uncertainties)
   • Compare your values to the recognised values
   • Write-up your results and conclusions

7. Make observations of the fainter Jupiter satellites and compare their astrometric positions with those predicted by JPL Horizons. Make rough estimates of the orbital periods.

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jrl

2013-Dec-22 23:31:07 UTC