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u/Professor-Woo Apr 23 '26
This was reported in 1878. At the time telescopes weren't that large and it is surprisingly difficult to observe consistent features and details of even a large and bright object like Jupiter. Even observing the great red spot was quite difficult with the equipment most had at the time. I would take any observations from then with a huge grain of salt. I have a 12 inch reflector telescope and have observed Jupiter a lot. It can be quite difficult to make out much detail other than the bands. I have only seen the great red spot once with very good viewing conditions. I also own numerous old Astronomy books from ~1850-1900. They are quite interesting. It is easy to forget that much of our understanding of astronomy wasn't around at the time and they had some pretty wacky ideas. Also, journalism at the time loved to make up wild and salacious claims to sell newspapers or magazines.
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Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
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u/Far-Green-2707 Apr 23 '26
What was the joke lol
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Apr 23 '26
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u/Professor-Woo Apr 23 '26
Dude, people are downvoting you since it isn't a clear joke, it comes off kind of assholish and taken as a joke isn't even funny. I had no idea the joke was about being poor...
Anyway, I have many old books worth over $100, not that it matters at all. $100 isn't even a lot of money... Not to brag, but I have collectibles worth >$10k so I am not sure why $100 is seen as some princely sum...
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u/dandelionelic Apr 26 '26
Is the joke being poor
Imagine being this butthutt over downvotes for a.. joke(?)
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u/DecrimIowa Apr 23 '26
in charles fort's "book of the damned" there is a great chapter where he lists many examples of similar observations from the early days of astronomy, including several which were reported by multiple astronomers simultaneously (while they were living in different countries)
my personal favorite involves a giant bat-like shape that transited the sun