An unusual formation on Jupiter, first recorded on July 19, 2009. Image of Anthony Wesley, 14.5-inch telescope
On Jupiter, a new, previously absent and not typical for this planet, formation of an incomprehensible nature, discernible even in amateur telescopes, was discovered
As reported by SpaceWeather, on July 19, 2009, on Jupiter near the South Pole of the planet, an unusual formation, uncharacteristic for a giant planet, was noted, which externally represents a dark "trail" observed against the background of the planet's cloud cover.
The formation was discovered by Australian amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley using a homemade Newton reflector telescope with an aperture of 14.5 inches (0.36 m) with a focal length of 1: 5.
The formation is a dark elongated "trace" - a segment, near which three symmetrically located "point" formations are distinguishable. Their morphology cannot be determined, the points are visible at the limit of the actual resolution of the images.
According to the discoverer himself, two days before May 19, he also observed Jupiter, but found nothing anomalous.
A preliminary assumption is made that the formation may be caused by the fall of a celestial body on Jupiter - possibly a comet. However, other explanations are also possible - other anomalous processes are observed on Jupiter.
More information about the strange phenomenon will be presented on the Research and Development portal - R & D. CNews.
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At present, Jupiter is clearly visible in Russia when the Sun sets in the East, not high above the horizon, as an exceptionally bright "star". The disk of the giant planet and its four Galilean satellites are already distinguishable through binoculars.
Even in a small amateur telescope, large cloud structures in the planet's atmosphere are clearly visible.