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[Centaur]

The Moon is at the period in its 18.6-year cycle of nodes during which it can occult (cover) the Pleiades star cluster (M45) in Taurus. It can be an awesome sight to watch each of the Pleiades sisters blink out one at a time before again reappearing individually.

The brightest star in the Pleiades is Alcyone at magnitude 2.9. The current occultation series of Alcyone began on 2005 FEB 15 and continues every 27.3 days until 2010 DEC 18 (2010 NOV is an exception.)

The observation of each occultation is restricted to certain belts on the Earth. During the early portion of the series and again in the latter portion it will be those in the southern hemisphere who will be in the path of the occultations. During the middle portion of the series, northern hemisphere observers will be favored.

I’ve calculated for those of us in Chicagoland that occultations of Alcyone will occur during nighttime on the following dates:

2006 APR 01
2006 OCT 10
2006 DEC 03
2007 OCT 27 (Emersion only)
2008 JUN 30 (Emersion only)
2008 SEP 19 (Emersion only)
2009 AUG 14

Emersion refers to reappearance. Immersion would refer to the initial covering.

Some of the Pleiades stars other than Alcyone will be occulted for Chicagoans on other dates. For graphics I've created of upcoming events, click: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

This event will be one to set up for, hopefully it will be clear, and I will probaby go to the CA urban site 2 to catch it.

Thanks for the heads up Curt...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt,

As always...excellent data for observers of this event.

Hope for clear weather, and I will be out there by the Adler catching this quite cool event.

Thanks...

[Charlie]

I have an interactive map of the graze path of Maia for 1Apr06 located at

charlie.ridgway.com/Astronomy/Occultations/06/Grazes/060402_Maia.html

The offset lines have been set to the distances recommended for best graze observations by Dave Dunham, president of IOTA.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Maia Graze/Occultation Map

Please visit and zoom in at Charlie's site at: charlie.ridgway.com/Astronomy/Occultations/06/Grazes/060402_Maia.html

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Charlie,

Thank you for the interactive map of the Occultation of Maia...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

It's goning to be iffy here in Chicago to catch the Occultation. Here is the latest Sat image as of 11:30 am...

Looks like a break coming from the west, but not a particularly good one.

Let's see what happens by 5pm.

[stargazer]

I saw it here. We cleared up during the Girl Scout Outing and saw about 15 Sun Spots.

The Occultation was cool to watch.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Becks,

You can't just post and leave it as that...teasing us. You must tell us of the observational experience.

We were compleately socked in here in Chicago. Nothing but gloomy clouds.

Any pics of the event?

[stargazer]

As I type this at 10:00 pm its 61º clear skies but some what windy.

As for the Occultation I sat on the back steps with the Bino's enjoying the lovely night sky. The Moon looking as good as it can get. (for the phase it's in) Pleiades was just as beautiful. As the Moon crossed in front it was hair raising to see the stars blink in and out. It was a fitting end to my day. The Girl Scout event went very well. I was sad to see it end. Once it was over I did a quick look around the sky, Saw Orion, Saturn, and a few fuzzies as I was only using 7x35 bino's. Listening to all the sounds of Nature was very relaxing. No Coyotes this time but I expect to hear them again soon. One did walk by in the yard while I was out there though.

I hope you guys come down this summer to do some viewing.

[Centaur]

Glad you got to see it, stargazer. Thanks for the nice description. As you know, those of in Chicagoland only witnessed the Moon and Pleiades being fully occulted by clouds. But we'll have another chance during the wee hours of the morning on July 20. Get Ready.