Polar projections in methane band

Assembling about 6 hours of data taken on two different nights, I created these interesting polar projections in the methane (CH4) band, in which the planet's polar veils are particularly well evident.

The two caps are remarkably asymmetrical. The northern one (bottom) displays two spiral arms consistent with a prograde (counterclockwise) rotation, while the southern one is much brighter, less extended, and exhibits a jagged rim.

As far as I can remember, projections of this kind are rarely made by amateurs (or perhaps never made before).

Technical data

Classical Cassegrain ToscanOptics 16″ f/20 ♦ ASI462MM

January 5-6-7, 2026

In the methane image, the extension of the north polar veil at these latitudes is remarkable. In UV the GMR is noticeably absorbent (dark).

Comparison between the Chroma methane filter (left) and the Baader (right).

I managed to record the double transit, despite the poor seeing and the planet low on the eastern horizon.

I compared approx. 10′-12′ of data gathered with the ASI290MM (on the left, with slightly cooler colors) and the ASI462MC. The seeing conditions were more than fair, and the processing is very similar in both cases.

This comparison may show how small the gap between monochrome and next-generation color sensors is today.

South at top.

Technical data

CFF 30 cm f/20 ♦ ASI290MM-ASI462MC

July 25 ,2021

2021 apparition was characterized by the EZ (equatorial zone) showing an exceptionally dark orange colour.

Here we see the planet together with its largest satellite, Ganymede. The satellite was pasted separately and the image is not oriented.

Technical data

CFF 30 cm f/20 Cassegrain ♦ ASI462MC

July 11, 2021

A color shot of the Jovian storm discovered by I. Miyazaki on August 18, here together with the shadow of Europa and the GMR.

The very beginning of the NTB outbreak.

Animation created from two images, about half an hour apart.

North at top.

Technical data

C8EdgeHD ♦ ASI174MM ♦ Barlow Celestron 2x ♦ RGB Astronomik

June 9, 2019

Jupiter in the days around 2019 opposition. One of my best images of the planet with the C8.

North at top.

Technical data

C8EdgeHD ♦ ASI174MM ♦ Barlow Celestron 2x ♦ RGB Astronomik

June 8, 2019