Post by Centaur on Apr 6, 2009 10:25:52 GMT -6
Venus will become occulted by the 8% illuminated waning crescent Moon for many North Americans during the morning of 2009 APR 22. The planet will appear as a 17% illuminated crescent at magnitude -4.4.
Observers out west will witness the event before sunrise. Those of us in the center of the continent will be able to watch it, but during daytime (avoid looking at Sun!). Those in the east will be shut out.
The southern graze path includes the Texas gulf coast, Toronto and points in between. Observers on the graze path will see the landscape of the Moon’s southern polar region sweeping across the disk of Venus. Those of us north and west of that path will be able to observe a full occultation. The northern graze path will be in space above the Earth’s North Pole.
I’ve created a map illustrating the graze path and area of visibility north and west of it in North America. I’ve also made a graphic including data specifically for observers at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Both charts can be seen by clicking: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos and descriptions of the occultation would be welcome additions to this thread.
Observers out west will witness the event before sunrise. Those of us in the center of the continent will be able to watch it, but during daytime (avoid looking at Sun!). Those in the east will be shut out.
The southern graze path includes the Texas gulf coast, Toronto and points in between. Observers on the graze path will see the landscape of the Moon’s southern polar region sweeping across the disk of Venus. Those of us north and west of that path will be able to observe a full occultation. The northern graze path will be in space above the Earth’s North Pole.
I’ve created a map illustrating the graze path and area of visibility north and west of it in North America. I’ve also made a graphic including data specifically for observers at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Both charts can be seen by clicking: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos and descriptions of the occultation would be welcome additions to this thread.
