Skip to content
Vatican Observatory
  • About
    • Overview
    • Team
  • Telescopes
    • Overview
    • Telescope Images
  • Latest
    • Overview
    • Resources
    • Press
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Research
    • Authors
    • Newsletter
    • Tucson Meteor Cameras
  • Podcast
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Resource Center
    • Image Gallery
    • Summer School
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Software
    • Additional Resources
    • ACME
    • Ambassadors
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
    • Overview
    • Donate Now
    • Sacred Space Astronomy
      • View Content
    • Fr. Coyne Fundraiser
    • Bequests / Trusts
    • The Foundation
      • Newsletters
      • Annual Reports
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Overview
    • Team
  • Telescopes
    • Overview
    • Telescope Images
  • Latest
    • Overview
    • Resources
    • Press
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Research
    • Authors
    • Newsletter
    • Tucson Meteor Cameras
  • Podcast
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Resource Center
    • Image Gallery
    • Summer School
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Software
    • Additional Resources
    • ACME
    • Ambassadors
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
    • Overview
    • Donate Now
    • Sacred Space Astronomy
      • View Content
    • Fr. Coyne Fundraiser
    • Bequests / Trusts
    • The Foundation
      • Newsletters
      • Annual Reports
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • FAQs

Fire Works and Telescopes on the 4th of July! Mark Your Calendar for Juno’s Arrival at Jupiter!

By Fr. James Kurzynski  |  15 Mar 2016

Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Email

What was the first object you ever saw through a telescope?  If you were using a small telescope, it wouldn’t surprise me if your first observation was either the Moon or Jupiter.  For me, it was Jupiter, gazing at the “small” ball of light in my four inch reflector.  As I gazed upon this gas giant, I became more fascinated with Jupiter’s moons, appearing as tiny pin pricks of light in the night sky.  Night after night, I watched these satellites circle around Jupiter, gazing in wonderment at what seemed like a mini-solar system within our Solar System.  This past week, Jupiter has been in prime position in the night sky for observation, evoking an inner nostalgia, reflecting upon my first glimpse into a telescope.  These nights of observation also give birth to curiously, wondering what Jupiter and its moons would look like up close?  This inner itch will get scratched again as NASA will rendezvous with Jupiter on the 4th of July.  Check out this video explaining the Juno mission.

627807main_PIA14410_full Image of Jupiter from NASA’s Juno Gallery. Credit: Damian Peach

As the video states, one of the unique aspects of the Juno mission is that “citizen scientists” will have the opportunity to suggest target areas on Jupiter to study.  As a hobby astronomer, I deeply appreciate these citizen scientist programs.  One of the frustrations a hobby astronomer can experience is having the same desire that a professional scientist has to explore parts of our universe in detail, but lack the formal training and access to instruments to fully pursue these curiosities.  This tension creates an intellectual hunger that never really gets fed.  Citizen scientist programs feed this hunger, allowing the amateur to “peak over the shoulder” of exciting discoveries from groups like NASA.  In light of the Juno mission, I would encourage our readers to sign up for the citizen science portion of the Juno mission.  Together, let us enjoy some fireworks on the fourth of July and gain a new appreciation for Jupiter!  Click here or on the image to learn more about the Juno Mission and how you can get involved.

Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Email

Sacred Space Astronomy

The Vatican Observatory’s official digital community and online magazine.

Become a Member

Recent Posts

The Stuff of Stars

By Robert Trembley  |  1 Jul 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Exploration above and below

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  30 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

In the Sky this Week – June 28, 2022

By Robert Trembley  |  28 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Agnes Mary Clerke, M31 and Thomas Aquinas

By Mr. Christopher Graney  |  25 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Archives

      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • August
      • June
      • March
      • January
      • November
      • October
      • December
      • November
      • April
      • May
      • January
      • December
      • September
      • May
      • March
      • December
      • November
      • February

More Posts by
Fr. James Kurzynski

From the Backyard (After a 20 Minute Drive): Embracing Failure – Embracing Grace.

By Fr. James Kurzynski, Robert Trembley  |  20 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Birds Of A Feather… Why Do Astrophotographers Tend To Develop A Love For Bird Photography?

By Fr. James Kurzynski, Robert Trembley  |  6 Jun 2022

From The Backyard: Summer Observation Planning

By Fr. James Kurzynski, Robert Trembley  |  30 May 2022

From the Backyard: Weeks of Work, Days of Rest, and Moments of Wonder.

By Fr. James Kurzynski  |  16 May 2022

When Time Stops: Happy Easter Triduum!

By Fr. James Kurzynski  |  14 Apr 2022

From the Backyard: Transition of Seasons. Transition of Life.

By Fr. James Kurzynski  |  28 Mar 2022

View More

Newsletter

Upcoming astronomical events, scientific breakthroughs, philosophical reflections… just a few reasons to subscribe to our newsletter!

  • *
Vatican Observatory
  • About
  • Telescopes
  • Latest
  • Podcast
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
Privacy Policy  |   Cookie Policy  |   Disclosure Statement

Podcast:

  • Apple Podcasts Listen onApple Podcasts
  • Spotify Listen onSpotify
  • Google Podcasts Listen onGoogle Podcasts
  • Stitcher Listen onStitcher
  • Amazon Alexa Listen onAmazon Alexa
  • TuneIn Listen onTuneIn
Made by Longbeard