Jupiter and a globular cluster M22

Jupiter is good to see this summer

This summer one remarkably bright star shines in Sagittarius in the evening southern sky. This is Jupiter, known as the biggest planet in the solar system.

You can see some small stars stands in a line besides Jupiter with a binocular. These are called Galilean satellites. In addition, you can also see stripes on the surface and the great red spot , which depends on when to see, through a telescope.

Jupiter and M22 (binocular)

Let's see it with a binocular

By the way, Jupiter passes near by a globular cluster M22 in the middle of this summer holidays, from August 10 to 25. A globular cluster is a set of densely gathering stars and it looks like a dimly light mass through a binocular or telescope. The closest approach date is around August 18. Because Jupiter moves slowly among the stars, you can see they nestle together for a while around. With a 7x50mm binocular you can see such a view as the image in the right. This is a view on August 18. Jupiter is much more in the east in early August and moves westwards day by day.

Jupiter and M22 (telescope)

Try to see it with a telescope

Then let's see it through a telescope. You can see even some stripes on the surface with a telescope. If you have a larger telescope than 8cm one, let's magnify and you can see M22 as not a dimly light mass but a big group of a number of stars. But the more you magnify, the smaller the view comes. So you had better see the approach with small magnification rate around August 18.

It is hard for a beginner to search a cluster or nebulae. But this summer you can find M22 quite easily because Jupiter, which shines as -2 mag, stands by it and rolls as a good sign.