Post by Centaur on Nov 9, 2013 12:17:47 GMT -6
Here’s a real challenge for dedicated amateur astronomers. I’ve determined that during the night of November 15-16, the Moon will occult (cover) Asteroid 20 Massalia for observers in much of North America and Europe. This will begin not long after sunset on November 15 for Chicagolanders. Immersion will occur on the lunar dark limb and emersion on the bright limb.
The difficulties include the facts that the asteroid’s stellar magnitude will be +9.2, the waxing gibbous Moon’s apparent disk will be 97% illuminated, and for North America the sky will be fully dark throughout the event only near the east coast. For Chicagolanders, immersion will occur during early twilight and emerson at night.
The trick may be to aim a clock-driven telescope at Massalia and watch the Moon drift into and out of view. At geocentric closest angular approach time of 00:25:41 UT the geocentric coordinates of Massalia will be RA 02:11:35.3 & Dec N 12° 51’ 43”.
I’ve created graze maps, preview graphics and Besselian elements that can be seen at www.CurtRenz.com/occultations
Photos and descriptions of the occultation would be welcome additions to this thread. For predicted event times and other data specific to your location, please reply to this thread with your geographic longitude, latitude, elevation and time zone.
The difficulties include the facts that the asteroid’s stellar magnitude will be +9.2, the waxing gibbous Moon’s apparent disk will be 97% illuminated, and for North America the sky will be fully dark throughout the event only near the east coast. For Chicagolanders, immersion will occur during early twilight and emerson at night.
The trick may be to aim a clock-driven telescope at Massalia and watch the Moon drift into and out of view. At geocentric closest angular approach time of 00:25:41 UT the geocentric coordinates of Massalia will be RA 02:11:35.3 & Dec N 12° 51’ 43”.
I’ve created graze maps, preview graphics and Besselian elements that can be seen at www.CurtRenz.com/occultations
Photos and descriptions of the occultation would be welcome additions to this thread. For predicted event times and other data specific to your location, please reply to this thread with your geographic longitude, latitude, elevation and time zone.
