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BARBADOS MISSION REPORT 2009.

AUGUST 29th - SEPTEMBER 19th, 2009.

Above: Ian Sharp and Myself on Barbados in 2009 ready to begin observing. C11 at left and C14 at right.

After taking a break during 2008 after visiting Barbados twice in 2007, I decided to return to the island to watch the opposition of Jupiter during its 2009 apparition. Jupiter was again favourably placed reaching 61º altitude at best - a huge improvement over typical northerly sites in the USA and Europe where Jupiter still remained low. Other objects well placed during our stay included Mars, Venus and the Moon.

During the period weather was on the whole excellent. Tropical Storm Erika caused the loss of one night early on with lightening and torrential rain, and a tropical low brought very hazy/cloudy skies during a few days late in the trip. Seeing conditions were excellent on many nights, as was sky transparency with the Milky way easily visible across the entire sky. Sky conditions were mostly partly cloudy with scattered cumulus clouds and typical moderate easterly winds much of the time, with the night time low around 27º- 28ºc (80ºF.)

There was plenty of wildlife day and night, with Monkeys, lizards, crabs, and giant centipedes all putting in appearances at various times of the day and night!

A large number of Jupiter images were obtained during the trip many which are presented below.

Damian Peach, Dec 2009.

JUPITER IMAGERY

The primary aim of the trip was to obtain extensive high resolution coverage of Jupiter. The results obtained over the period are presented below.

Time lapse animations. Showing the motions of the Jovian atmosphere. The left animation is centred on system 2= 300deg while the right animation is centred on system 2= 65deg. A whole range of currents and jetstream motions can be easily identified. ©2009 Damian Peach.

Ganymede on four different nights. For views of Ganymede over the course of the trip showing albedo features on its surface. Note the repeated pattern in the last two images one week apart. ©2009 Damian Peach.

August 30th, 2009. The first nights observation brought good seeing, though not superb. This set image of images show Oval BA and its surroundings. RGB and Green light images appear unless otherwise stated. ©2009 Damian Peach.

August 31st, 2009. The second nights observation brought excellent seeing. This set image of images show the disturbed NEB and the GRS appearing on the right at the end of the session. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 1st, 2009. The seeing on this night was as with the first night was just "good". Oval BA is nicely placed again. Also note the long lived "little red spot" in the NNTZ. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 2nd, 2009. Some very good seeing occurred on this night where the very disturbed section of NEB was presented. Note the faint wispy pattern of South Temperate Belt remnant. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 4th, 2009. A rather frustrating night with near perfect seeing but rather allot of scattered low clouds. A lovely view of Io and its shadow crossing the disk was obtained during the early part of the night. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 5th, 2009. An excellent night. Near perfect seeing and very few clouds. The GRS can be nicely followed crossing the disk, while the NEB showing a great deal of rifting throughout. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 7th, 2009. Another night of near perfect seeing showing the region from Oval BA upto the GRS appearing. Note the very fine detail revealed across the southern temperate zone revealing complex circulation patterns. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 10th, 2009. Near perfect seeing almost from start to finish on this night following the GRS from one side of the disk to the other. A plethora of fine detail across the Planet. Note the bluish streak inside the GRS. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 11th, 2009. Near perfect seeing again on this night, following Oval BA across the disk. Io and its shadow appear later with Io's shadow appearing elongated at Jupiter was almost a month past opposition. ©2009 Damian Peach.

September 19th, 2009. The last night of the trip and again excellent seeing prevailed as well as almost completely cloudless conditions for much of the night (a rarity from Barbados!) The disturbed area of the NEB is nicely placed showing intricate rifting activity. ©2009 Damian Peach.

MARS IMAGERY

Mars on September 19th, 2009. Diam=6.27". Sinus Meridiani is central in these images with interesting details in the hazy North Polar Hood. Again very little activity in the Blue light image.

Mars on September 18th, 2009. Diam=6.25". Sinus Meridiani is central in these images with interesting details in the hazy North Polar Hood. Again very little activity in the Blue light image.

Mars on September 17th, 2009. Diam=6.22". Sinus Meridiani is central in these images with interesting details in the hazy North Polar Hood. Again very little activity in the Blue light images.

Mars on September 10th, 2009. Diam=6.04". Solis Lacus is again very prominent in this series of images. Mare Acidalium is also prominent. Very little cloud activity present in the Blue Light images.

Mars on September 9th, 2009. Diam=6.02". Solis Lacus is very prominent in this series of images. Mare Acidalium is also prominent. Very little cloud activity present in the Blue Light images.

URANUS IMAGES

Uranus on September 19th, 2009. Superb seeing conditions prevailed with the Planet placed closed to the zenith and also within a couple of days of opposition for these images. By far the finest view ive ever had of this remote Planet.

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