Stellarium

How to get moons around a planet to be at maximum elongation

Asked by Anni

I need to take a measurement of Jupiter and its moons when they are at maximum separation so that I can find out what their semi major axis is. I know how to get an angle, but I'm not sure how to get the moons to where I need them to be, or does that even matter? can I get the same result with our the moons being at maximum separation?

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gzotti (georg-zotti) said : 		#1

To recreate the "measurement feeling" at the telescope:

1) Observe motion. When on max elongation:
2) Stop motion
3) Measure elongation.

Repeat 500 times (or more).

Else, look up semimajor axis on Wikipedia or a textbook on Jupiter?

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