Author
By Bluewater Astronomical Society
Featured astrophotographer: Marty Anderson
Object: Jupiter Rotation Time-Lapse – A detailed planetary imaging project showing Jupiter’s rotation over approximately 1.5 hours
Date captured: March 2026
Location: Near Tampa, Florida
Bluewater Astronomical Society member Marty Anderson has created an impressive time-lapse video showing the rotation of Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system.
Jupiter rotates very quickly for its size, completing one full rotation in under 10 hours. This rapid rotation makes it possible for amateur astronomers to capture visible movement in the planet’s cloud bands over the course of a single evening. Marty’s project involved capturing roughly three hours of video data, then selecting the best continuous 1.5-hour section to create the final time-lapse.
The result shows Jupiter’s dynamic atmosphere in motion, including shifting cloud bands and the subtle rotation of surface features across the planet’s disk.
How the Image Sequence Was Captured
Capturing Jupiter at high magnification is technically demanding. Marty used a Celestron EdgeHD-1100 telescope operating at f/10 with a 2800 mm focal length, paired with an ASI678MC colour planetary camera.
At this focal length, Jupiter appears large enough to reveal detail, but it is also very easy to lose from the camera’s field of view. Marty noted that one of the most important steps was ensuring that the guide scope and main telescope were perfectly aligned before imaging. This was done during the day using a distant object.
The setup used the guide camera through the ASIAIR system to perform careful polar alignment and to slew accurately to Jupiter. The main planetary camera was connected directly to a laptop running ASI-Cap, allowing Marty to capture high-speed video through the EdgeHD telescope.
Because the session relied on tracking rather than active guiding, accurate polar alignment was critical. Marty monitored the planet throughout the session, making small adjustments as needed and periodically checking focus.
Processing the Time-Lapse
The final result was built from approximately 100 separate 60-second video captures. Each video was processed and stacked into individual TIFF images. These were then grouped in sets of three to five frames to improve signal and detail, resulting in approximately 35 final frames for the time-lapse.
The frames were then processed, aligned, stabilized, de-flickered, and assembled into the finished video.
Equipment and Processing Details
Field | Details |
|---|---|
Photographer | Marty Anderson |
Object | Jupiter Rotation Time-Lapse |
Date Taken | March 2026 |
Location | Near Tampa, Florida |
Telescope / Lens | Celestron EdgeHD-1100, f/10, 2800 mm focal length |
Camera | ASI678MC colour planetary astro camera |
Mount | ZWO AM5n |
Filters / Accessories | Baader UV/IR Cut Filter, plus ADC — Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector |
Capture Data | Approximately 100 video captures, each 60 seconds long |
Frame Processing | Each video was stacked into individual TIFF images. Frames were then combined in groups of 3–5 to increase signal and detail, resulting in approximately 35 final frames. |
Final Processing | Processed, aligned, stabilized, de-flickered, and combined into the final time-lapse. |
Capture Software | ASI-Cap |
Processing Software | AutoStakkert, Registax, Affinity Photo |
Video Editing | DaVinci Resolve Studio |
Audio | Logic Pro |
A Strong Example of Advanced Amateur Planetary Imaging
Marty’s Jupiter time-lapse is an excellent example of what can be achieved with careful setup, accurate tracking, patient capture, and detailed processing. It also shows the value of planning and precision when imaging planets at long focal lengths.
For BAS members interested in planetary imaging, this project highlights several important lessons:
- Align the guide scope and main telescope very accurately before imaging.
- Use careful polar alignment when relying on tracking rather than guiding.
- Capture a large volume of short video files.
- Select the best continuous section of data.
- Stack and process carefully to improve detail and stability.
- Monitor focus and tracking throughout the session.
Congratulations to Marty on producing a detailed and engaging view of Jupiter in motion.
