Filipino astronomer playing key role in Jupiter exploration mission

A Cebu based Filipino astronomer will play a key role in an upcoming Jupiter exploration.

NASA’s Juno spacecraft is due to orbit Jupiter to get a better understanding of the massive planet and our entire solar system.

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Some of the world’s leading astronomers will collaborate with NASA on the venture and relay information to mission control.

Jupiter
Filipino Astronomer Playing Key Role in Jupiter Exploration Mission – www.plnmedia.com

One such astronomer will be Christopher Go, a Cebu-based amateur who said: “I’ve been imaging Jupiter since 2004 and have worked for many years to develop collaborations between amateur and professional astronomers. Amateurs  have the advantage in that they don’t have to apply for telescope time, and the equipment now available means that we can make very high-quality observations.”

Christopher will be one of 29 participants throughout 13 countries who will participate in a workshop in Nice, France. He will be part of a co-ordinated ground-support for the Juno mission.

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Christopher said: “I am delighted that the amateur community has been invited to collaborate on Juno and excited at the opportunity to make an important contribution to the mission.”

Christopher’s first major discovery on Jupiter happened in 2006, when he observed that the planet’s Oval Ba white spot turned red. The spot is now called “Red Spot Jr.” because of Christopher’s discovery.

That discovery led to his inception into the American Astronomical Society and its Division for Planetary Sciences.

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