Eclipses of the inner satellites of Jupiter observed in 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, the positioning accuracy of the inner satellites determined with photometry is estimated for dynamical studies, based on estimating the relative positions of the outer satellites of Amalthea and Thebe.
Abstract: Aims. During the 2014–2015 campaign of mutual events, we recorded ground-based photometric observations of eclipses of Amalthea (JV) and, for the first time, Thebe (JXIV) by the Galilean moons. We focused on estimating whether the positioning accuracy of the inner satellites determined with photometry is sufficient for dynamical studies.Methods. We observed two eclipses of Amalthea and one of Thebe with the 1 m telescope at Pic du Midi Observatory using an IR filter and a mask placed over the planetary image to avoid blooming features. A third observation of Amalthea was taken at Saint-Sulpice Observatory with a 60 cm telescope using a methane filter (890 nm) and a deep absorption band to decrease the contrast between the planet and the satellites. After background removal, we computed a differential aperture photometry to obtain the light flux, and followed with an astrometric reduction.Results. We provide astrometric results with an external precision of 53 mas for the eclipse of Thebe, and 20 mas for that of Amalthea. These observation accuracies largely override standard astrometric measurements. The (O − C)s for the eclipse of Thebe are 75 mas on the X -axis and 120 mas on the Y -axis. The (O − C)s for the total eclipses of Amalthea are 95 mas and 22 mas, along the orbit, for two of the three events. Taking into account the ratio of (O − C) to precision of the astrometric results, we show a significant discrepancy with the theory established by Avdyushev and Ban’shikova in 2008, and the JPL JUP 310 ephemeris.
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TL;DR: The goal of this paper is to show that some phenomena occurring during the equinox on the giant planets are worth to be observed, and to encourage observations in the next future especially for planetary systems for which no space mission is planned.
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TL;DR: The results of the 2014-2015 Brazilian campaign for 40 mutual events from 47 observed light curves by the Galilean satellites plus one eclipse of Amalthea by Ganymede were presented in this paper.
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TL;DR: In this article , a quasi-simultaneous mutual event (QSME) between Europa and Ganymede was observed with a CCD camera attached to a 300mm telescope at the Hong Kong Space Museum Sai Kung iObservatory.
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TL;DR: Observations by the Galileo spacecraft and the Keck telescope showed that Jupiter's outermost (gossamer) ring is actually two rings circumscribed by the orbits of the small satellites Amalthea and Thebe, suggesting that faint rings may accompany all small inner satellites of the other jovian planets.
Abstract: Observations by the Galileo spacecraft and the Keck telescope showed that Jupiter's outermost (gossamer) ring is actually two rings circumscribed by the orbits of the small satellites Amalthea and Thebe. The gossamer rings' unique morphology-especially the rectangular end profiles at the satellite's orbit and the enhanced intensities along the top and bottom edges of the rings-can be explained by collisional ejecta lost from the inclined satellites. The ejecta evolves inward under Poynting-Robertson drag. This mechanism may also explain the origin of Jupiter's main ring and suggests that faint rings may accompany all small inner satellites of the other jovian planets.
234 citations
"Eclipses of the inner satellites of..." refers background in this paper
...Metis, Adrastea, Amalthea, and Thebe orbit close to Jupiter....
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...Photometric observations of the eclipses of the inner satellites of Jupiter consist in measuring the satellite flux during the events....
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...The precision of the mutual event observations is up to 20 mas for the Galilean moons (Arlot et al. 2014), or 60 km at the distance of Jupiter....
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...The precision of the astrometric results is about 50 mas along the X-axis and 45 mas along the Y-axis, or 150 km and 135 km at the distance of Jupiter, respectively....
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...The mean radii from the planet are 1.79 Jupiter radius (R j), 1.81 R j, 2.54 R j, and 3.11 R j, respectively....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a complete review of the most precise theories of motion of all natural satellites that they used and an analysis of the precision of the proposed ephemerides.
Abstract: Context. There is a need in some research facilities for deriving ephemerides, controlling observations, verifying various models of motion, and calculating the coordinates in space of natural planetary satellites. Aims. The goal of our work is to elaborate the ephemerides of all natural satellites based upon all observations available to date and readily accessible for any user via the Internet. Methods. For all outer planetary satellites, original numerical models of motion are used that are based on all published observations. For other satellites, the theoretical models of the motion are taken from publications that are as recent as possible. Complete collection of the theories and models of motion is realized as a software for the ephemerides of natural satellites available on the web pages of the so-called server MULTI-SAT. Results. A new facility for producing ephemerides of all natural satellites of planets (except the Moon) has been created at IMCCE and SAI. Special features of the ephemerides are realized, such as predicting the phenomena and providing configurations useful for the observers. The server MULTI-SAT is accessible through the Internet. The URL addresses are http://www.imcce.fr/sat (English and French versions at IMCCE) and http://www.sai.msu.ru/neb/nss/index.htm (English, French, and Russian versions at SAI). This paper includes a complete review of the most precise theories of motion of all natural satellites that we used and an analysis of the precision of the proposed ephemerides.
75 citations
"Eclipses of the inner satellites of..." refers methods in this paper
...For this purpose, we used the server MULTI-SAT described in Emel’Yanov & Arlot (2008)....
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...The (Xth(ti),Yth(ti)) pseudoheliocentric coordinates for the time of observation ti are calculated with the MULTI-SAT natural satellite ephemeris server (Emel’Yanov & Arlot 2008)....
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01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: This paper reviewed what is known of the various crystalline and amorphous phases of ice, and of their presence on different solar system bodies, including Earth, Mars, and Pluto.
Abstract: Ice is ubiquitous in the solar system; it is also a substance with a fascinatingly complex set of transitions between its multiple forms. Here I review what is known of the various crystalline and amorphous phases of ice, and of their presence on different solar system bodies.
37 citations
Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides1, Moscow State University2, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro3, Michigan Career and Technical Institute4, Institut de Ciències de l'Espai5, Armagh Observatory6, Centre national de la recherche scientifique7, Ural Federal University8, Shandong University9, Russian Academy of Sciences10, Odessa University11, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens12, Chinese Academy of Sciences13, University of Siena14, Université de Namur15, Jinan University16
TL;DR: In 2009, the Sun and the Earth passed through the equatorial plane of Jupiter and therefore the orbital planes of its main satellites as discussed by the authors, which made mutual occultations and eclipses between the satellites possible.
Abstract: Context. In 2009, the Sun and the Earth passed through the equatorial plane of Jupiter and therefore the orbital planes of its main satellites. It was the equinox on Jupiter. This occurrence made mutual occultations and eclipses between the satellites possible. Experience has shown that the observations of such events provide accurate astrometric data able to bring new information on the dynamics of the Galilean satellites. Observations are made under the form of photometric measurements, but need to be made through the organization of a worldwide observation campaign maximizing the number and the quality of the data obtained.
25 citations
"Eclipses of the inner satellites of..." refers background in this paper
...The precision of the mutual event observations is up to 20 mas for the Galilean moons (Arlot et al. 2014), or 60 km at the distance of Jupiter....
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...Furthermore, the recording of a timing is easier than in astrometric measurement (Arlot et al. 2014)....
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...Because the visibility of a phenomenon depends on the location of the observer, international cooperation is necessary to cover the maximum range of geographic longitudes, as has already been discussed in Arlot et al. (2014) and in Arlot & Stavinschi (2007)....
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16 citations
"Eclipses of the inner satellites of..." refers background in this paper
...Amalthea, the biggest and brightest inner satellite, was discovered by Barnard (1892) with the 36-inch refractor at Lick Observatory in California, USA....
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