cloud interference (Union)

Clouds rolled in.

We only got fleeting glances at Jupiter. Still, Aunt PJ, Donna, Steve, and Rachel enjoyed the views (Miranda was pouting or sleeping or something. Mom was flitting around like a butterfly, as usual.). Everyone present, when the Earth clouds thinned, could see the Jovian cloud bands and Galilean moons.

At first there were only 3 moons visible. Ganymede, above, was the same distance as Europa below. Further out was Callisto. Io was in front of the planet! Shadow op? It was too cloudy.

About 30 minutes later, Io emerged.

Loaner green laser pointer was very handy for pointing out objects to family.

We readied for an ISS fly-over at 9:43 PM.

Someone spotted something bright in the south. It moved to the south-south-east.

A moment later, we spotted another bright object. It started in the south-west and went almost over head to the north-east.

I suddenly realised that the first object was something else! Perhaps an Iridium satellite? The second sighting, following the path I expected, was the ISS! Oops.

I tried to see the Giant Red Spot passing the meridian at 9:53. But it was really difficult... I dunno...

I overhead Donna say, "I love stars." I showed her a new constellation, The Hunting Dogs. She wanted to know more about Ursa Major, the Great Bear. I pointed out the legs and snout. I'll send Donna an artwork shot from Stellarium...

By 10:45 PM, the clouds were very frequently interfering with our views. Humidity had climbed to 98%. We called it quits.

Before Donna and Steve left, I asked they spot me as I moved the telescopes indoors.

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I was not able to determine what flew over before the ISS did...