Observational campaign of the mutual phenomena of Jupiter’s satellites

Presentation

Mutual events occur when the Earth and the Sun are crossing the common plane in which the satellites orbit. In the case of Jupiter’s satellites, this configuration happens every 6 years.

PHEMU21 campaign of observations
Equinox on Jupiter in 2021

Due to the passage of Jupiter at equinox in 2021, the observations of a series of eclipses and occultations between the galilean satellites will provide high quality data allowing to reach an unprecedented resolution in the satellites dynamical models. These observations are even accessible with personnal telescopes.

The former campaign of observations took place in 2015: there were 442 observable events between september 1^st, 2014 and july 20^th, 2015. During this campaign (PHEMU15), 236 such phenomena were observed. One of them has been recorded by 17 different telescopes, and amateur astronomers transmitted more than 600 light curves.

The observer’s guidebook

• A short guide providing tips for efficient observations
• Talks given at the workshop on the mutual events which took place on February 6, 2021 on the Phemu21 campaign (in French)

Interactive tools for the observers

• Phenomena of the natural planetary: dates and visibility (ssp)
• Phenomena of the natural planetary satellites: dates and visibility (Multisat)
• Configurations and positions of the satellites of Jupiter
• Make yourself the prediction of events for the period of time you wish (caution, it takes more time)

You may send your observations through the dedicated webpage
or, if you did not succeed:
Download the observation form, fill it in and send it back together with the data for each observed phenomenon.

PHEMU Technical notes

• Technical note n°1: Presentation of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter and of their mutual phenomena
• Technical note n°2: Presentation of Saturn’s and Uranus’ satellites (in prep.)
• Technical note n°3: The photometric observation of the mutual events
• Technical note n°4: The observation of mutual events using a video camera
• Technical note n°5: The observation of mutual events using a CCD camera
• Technical note n°6: Examples of light curves
• Technical note n°7: The visual observation of mutual phenomena
• Technical note n°8: Bibliography related to the mutual events of the Galilean satellites
• Technical note n°9: Bibliographic note about mutual events in the Saturn, Uranus and Pluto-Charon systems
• Technical note n°10: The observation of the eclipses of Amalthea J-6 (in prep., please contact us)

Scientific and pedagogic documents

• Presentation of the satellites, the mutual phenomena and their observations (in french)
• Astrometry through photometry: Application to natural planetary satellites and Solar System objects (in english)
• Peer-reviewed article on the past and future mutual events (ask us if you wish to receive it)
• Peer-reviewed article on the mutual events observed in 2015 (ask us if you wish to receive it)

Past colloquiums and workshops on the mutual events

• Worshop held on February 6, 2021: presentations available on Gemini Prom-Am site
• WETO 2014: Week-End Technique Occultations “Phénomènes mutuels”, Paris 29 et 30 mars 2014
• École d’astrométrie franco-chinoise, Pékin, Chine, 7-11 avril 2008

Contact: phemu.imcce@obspm.fr

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