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[Centaur]

I’ve determined that the 2% illuminated waning crescent Moon will occult magnitude +3.8 Mu Sagittarii for observers in a portion of North America during the morning of 2013 JAN 10. The nighttime section of the only graze path will cross Mexico. Observers on the graze path should be able to witness the star winking on and off as lunar hills and valleys pass by. Many of us north of the graze path may be able to witness some or all of the occultation, although this will be tricky considering the 17° elongation of the Moon from the Sun. Immersion will occur on the lunar bright limb and emersion on the dark limb.

For Chicagolanders the pair will be above the horizon during the entire event with immersion before sunrise and emersion afterward.

I’ve created three related charts: A graze map, a preview graphic with data for Chicago, and a table of Besselian elements for input into occultation software. They can be found at: www.CurtRenz.com/moon

Photos and descriptions of the event would be welcome additions to this thread. If you would like timing data specific to your location, please reply to this post with a longitude, latitude, elevation and time zone.

[Paulie pchris00]

I saw your graphs last week. That's awfully tough, and I'll be at work, anyway. :/

[Centaur]

Jan 7, 2013 8:31:51 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I saw your graphs last week. That's awfully tough, and I'll be at work, anyway. :/

I understand, Paulie. Nighttime occultations of planets or fairly bright stars have become quite a rarity for Chicagolanders in recent years, and it continues to be so. However, there is a plethora of occultations this year for observers in the southern hemisphere. Jupiter and Spica are involved in ongoing series of occultations, but only for those who are located down under.

We’ll be in the lines of sight for two lunar occultations of asteroids this spring. They are trans-neptunian object/Kuiper Belt object/dwarf planet/plutoid/asteroid 134340 Pluto and much brighter asteroid 5 Astraea. However, asteroid occultations are real challenges for observers and perhaps only of academic interest.

A better opportunity for us later in the spring will involve the star Beta Scorpii. Although that will occur as a Full Moon is rising and about to enter a penumbral eclipse. Continue checking my Moon webpage for notifications and diagrams of upcoming lunar occultations: www.CurtRenz.com/moon

[Paulie pchris00]

Jan 7, 2013 14:27:03 GMT -6 Centaur said:

We’ll be in the lines of sight for two lunar occultations of asteroids this spring. They are trans-neptunian object/Kuiper Belt object/dwarf planet/plutoid/asteroid 134340 Pluto and much brighter asteroid 5 Astraea.

Pluto has a number?

I'm curious about both of those occultations.

[Centaur]

Jan 8, 2013 7:56:01 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

Pluto has a number?

I'm curious about both of those occultations.

Indeed, Paulie, since Pluto’s orbit is somewhat well determined it has been given a number like most asteroids eventually get. It just took a little longer than usual for Pluto. However, unlike the major planets but like the other minor planets, no long term theory has been developed to describe its position. As with the other small bodies, we have to rely on osculating orbital elements.

Pluto and Astraea are undergoing series of monthly lunar occultations. For Pluto that began on 2012 APR 12 and will end on 2013 AUG 17. The only Pluto event for Chicagoland will occur during the very early morning of 2013 APR 30. The series for Astraea will begin on 2013 JAN 10 and end on 2013 JUL 22. Its only occurrence for Chicagoland will be shortly before dawn on 2013 MAY 01. I’ll provide detailed previews on my website in April at www.CurtRenz.com/occultations