Be sure to write down the date and time of each observation. This is important information in all astronomical observations.

Open Starry Night and, if you haven’t already done so, set your home location.

If they’re not already displayed, turn on the Planet palette and the Display palette by clicking the corresponding icon on the Tool palette.

If it is daylight in your location, turn daylight off by clicking Daylight on the Display palette.

Turn on "mouse information" by selecting Mouse Info from the Window menu or clicking the arrow labeled Mouse in the Tool palette. "Mouse information" displays a box at lower left that gives the name of the object or constellation over which your pointer is resting. This makes it easier to be sure you’re selecting the correct object.

Click the dot next to Planets in the Display palette. Under the General tab, select Show Planets and Labels. (Hint: You might want to change the label color to white for better contrast.) Click OK to save the changes.

Double click Jupiter in the Planet palette. Use the Zoom-In tool on the Tool palette to increase the field of view one step at a time.

1. At what field of view do any of the Galilean satellites become visible?

2. Which satellite(s) can you see at that field of view?

Continue to increase the field of view until all four Galilean satellites become visible. Find Callisto using the Mouse Info tool. Right click and select "Center" from the pop-up menu. Continue to zoom in on Callisto until it is at its maximum magnification.

3. Describe Callisto’s surface in as much detail as you can.

Use the Find command under the Edit menu (or click the small magnifying class icon in the row of icons at the top of the screen) to find Ganymede.

4. Describe Ganymede’s surface in as much detail as you can.

Use the Find command under the Edit menu (or click the small magnifying class icon in the row of icons at the top of the screen) to find Europa.

5. Describe Europa’s surface in as much detail as you can.

Use the Find command under the Edit menu (or click the small magnifying class icon in the row of icons at the top of the screen) to find Io.

6. Describe Io’s surface in as much detail as you can.

Choose one (or more) of the Galilean satellites, Find it, and then right click it and choose Live Sky Bookmark from the pop-up menu. Click the NASA Search link and find the most recent information you can about the moon or moons you have chosen.

7. Write a short article about the information you found as though you were writing a news story. (Caution: Use your own words; don’t copy NASA press releases!)