I was at Space Camp (well, Space Academy Level II, to be exact) the first time I viewed Jupiter through a telescope. It was 15 years ago now, but I remember it clearly; the overwhelming sense of wonder at seeing something so far away, in such detail, with my naked eye (looking through the eyepiece, of course.) I could see the cloud bands, and the spot, and two or three of the moons — it was just marvelous. It’s hard to believe something like Jupiter is real, having only seen it in photographs in books and on computer screens. Maybe that seems childish, but really, there’s nothing quite like seeing a celestial object “in person” of sorts, watching the moons move, telling yourself that it’s real time… that it’s real.
This blog celebrates space exploration, human spaceflight and the heavens, through 
My name is 
I remember the first time I viewed Jupiter through the 6-inch refracting telescope at the observatory where I worked my junior year in college. I had that same impression — it was difficult to believe what I was seeing was actually real, but there it was, cloud bands, great spot, and four tiny diamond moons. It left an indelible impression to say the least.