Hi all,

Here is a brief report on Jupiter's NEB between Jan-June 2002. As John,
Antonio, Mike know, having imaged the NEBn barges/ovals regularly during
the last several months, i have produced drift charts of them from my own
images, as well as a more complete drift chart, from images by Cidadao,
Coelho, Grafton, Parker, Peach, Sherrod. Also, a final chart of both
charts averaged, and a projection map of the features from Feb.
Also, the names of the features are unsure in some cases, hence the
inclusion of the projection map.

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Summary of the major features.





NEBn Barge 4: Around L2=140 degs throughout this period.
The darkest barge on the Planet this apparition, and and slowing prograding in longitude.
The feature has shown a stable appearance throughout this period.
A notable observation of the feature is that dark NEBn  material had notably c
leared f. the barge as far Barge 6 from around mid March onward, as was
especially notable in images, by Peach (March 29th, April 5th, 6th, May 4th)
when compared to images earlier in the apparition back in Dec-Jan.

NEBn WS2: Around L2=200 degs during this period. A small anti-cyclonic oval in the NTrZ,
appearing as a "porthole". Rather small, and was most distinct during the period around
opposition, upto late Feb. As the dark material cleared f. B-4 its dark rim faded away, and
wasnt noted in high resolution images after late March.

NEBn Barge's 5 & 6: Around L2=240 degs through the last 5 months. Both have formed a
prominent pair, throughout the last 6 months. Both barges have remained very much static in
system II longitude, but hardly any drift occurring between March-April. Both barges have
closed up slightly during the apparition. As the NEBn material faded f. B-4, both barges have
taken on a more classic projection appearance from the NEBn.

NEBn WS-3: Has been placed between B-5 and 6 throughout the apparition, forming a striking
trio. Also has remained quite static in its drift.

NEBn WS-4 & Barge 7: Placed around L2=300 degs during this period, both forming a prominent
pair. B-7 has appeared prominent throughout this period, and appearing as a "classic" barge
appearance, with dark material streaming from its top, down the NTrZ. WS-4 has appeared quite
bright, and has remained close to B-7 throughout. It has been more difficult to see as the
dark material of the expansion event has faded.

The observed drifts of the other barges, and spot are show in the drift charts.

Drift of NEBn Barge 4, and B2-B3 merger.

Average drift: -4.7 degs/month L2.

No major fast or slow drifts have these features have been observed. The major event on the
NEBn this apparition was the collision between Barges B2 and B3 in early-mid November. The
merged barge survived, despite a prominent rift erupting close to it around Jan 21st, well
followed in images by Don Parker. Also one of the small WS disappeared sometime during late
Feb/early March at this longitude.

The sectorof NEBn p. B-4 extending for approx 100 degs remains mostly expanded, as late as
June 1st images by Peach. I would expect this material to gradually fade out, as is  the case
around the rest of the NEBn.

It shall be interesting to recover the features after Solar conjunction, and see what changes
have occurred, especially regarding B-4 and the area preceding it.

Best Wishes

Damian

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Damian Peach. ALPO/BAA Jupiter Sections.
                            BAA Saturn Section.
E-mail: Dpeach78@btopenworld.com
Homepage: http://dpeach78.users.btopenworld.com/planets/index.htm
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BAA Saturn Section: http://members.netscapeonline.co.uk/dpeach78/index.htm
BAA Jupiter Section: http://dpeach78.users.btopenworld.com/jup/index.htm
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[Rochester, Kent, UK.]
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