Get ready for Jupiter’s opposition next month with this presentation by HAL’s Jim Tomney on the ins & outs of observing the giant planet. As a Jovian enthusiast since getting his first 60mm refractor in the 60’s, Jim has spent hours behind the eyepiece sketching and photographing this fascinating planet. He will be sharing tips on viewing Jupiter that he has learned along the way and provide an overview of features the amateur observer might be able to see for a variety of instruments. There also will be a primer on getting into imaging Jupiter using video camera and open source software.

By day Jim is a software developer currently working as a contractor for the Social Security Administration. He is currently serving as HAL’s 2nd vice-president and has been a member of the club since 2014. As a long-time member of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers (ALPO) he is currently serving as their Assistant Coordinator for the Online section where he processes the images and sketches submitted by observers around the world. He also pens an astronomy blog, Shallow Skies, where he offers his take on the joys and challenges of exploring the night sky amid Bortle 8 light pollution.