J is for Jupiter (and an evening paddle)

We’re at the letter J in our A-Z Challenge tour of heavenly bodies.  J must stand for Jupiter as there are no constellations within the 88 listed constellations that began with a J.  Besides, Jupiter is the fourth brightest object in our sky (behind the Sun, moon, and Venus).  Since the planet is beyond our solar system, it can be seen at all levels of height in the sky (Venus and Mercury are only seen near the horizon).  It’s a huge planet (but only about 1% the size of the sun).  The weight of Jupiter is estimated to 2.5 times the weight of all the other planets.  This big boy’s gravitational pull is so great that it’s known as the vacuum cleaner of the solar system.  It would take 1321 earths to equal one Jupiter.  Jupiter is not as solid as our planet and unless one enjoys (and could live off of) huffing ammonium, the planet’s atmosphere doesn’t have much to offer the human respiratory system. 

Jupiter has been known as a planet that moves through the Zodiac since ancient times.  In the early 17^th Century, Galileo discovered the four major moons of Jupiter (the Galilean moons, one of which was named Europa, a name borrowed by Santana for their wonderful instrumental hit).  In the 17^th and early 18^th century, there were hopes that these moons which had a regular movement could serve as a clock to help solve the “Longitude” problem (I’ll talk about that when I get to the letter L).  They didn’t but the focus on the moons led to a number of other discovers such as the speed of light.  Today, thanks to better telescopes and the vacuum affect, the planet is known to boast 67 moons (maybe as many as the semi-mortal children that Jupiter sired. 

Jupiter and its moons

Jupiter was named for the Roman God (the Greek Zeus).  He was Hercules’ daddy (see my H entry) and seemed to take it as his right to seduce beautiful mortals. 

This is a wonderful month to observe Jupiter.  (Actually, April is a wonderful month to observe all the bright planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn).  Tonight, Jupiter can be seen rising in the eastern sky around sunset and a bit before the nearly full but waning moon.  It is visible all night, the later you look the higher it’ll be, and will be dropping low in the western sky by dawn. 

Heading out as the sunsets 

Moonrise (Jupiter was maybe 15 degrees above)

When I got back from kayaking yesterday afternoon, I left my kayak on top of my vehicle.  I would have loved to have paddled yesterday evening, but I had a volunteer firefighter meeting.  But today, I slide the kayak into the water around 7:15 PM, watched the sunset and then paddled several miles down the waterway, watching the sky darken.  Jupiter was the first "star" that I saw after the sun went down.  It was a bit up over the eastern horizon.  The next star (to the south) visible was Sirius in Canis Major (see letter C). Next was Orion, who is quickly slipping down toward the western horizon and the big dipper.  Then I was able to see the North Star...  All were present.  When the wind died, I could see the brighter stars reflect in the water.  Then the moon rose.  At first it was an reddish color.  With only my iPhone, I wasn't able to get the  the best photo and it came out more black and white, but watching the moon slowly make higher in the sky was magical.