What specific detail might an observer resolve through a small telescope near Jupiter during a conjunction?
Answer
Jupiter’s four brightest moons appearing as tiny points lined up near the planet.
The steady light exhibited by planets, unlike twinkling stars, allows for greater detail to be resolved when magnification is used, such as with a small telescope or good binoculars. For Jupiter, a key feature that can be resolved is its four brightest moons. These moons often appear distinctly as tiny pinpoints of light arranged in a discernible line configuration near the planet itself, demonstrating the clarity achievable when observing a steady planetary light source.
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