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[Centaur]

During the early morning hours of 2004 Dec 07, the Moon will occult (cover up) Jupiter during nighttime for observers in much of the US east of the Rockies. I have created graphics with data that preview the event as it will be seen from three different cities, including Chicago.

To see a graphic, click:
www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Then click the small blue button for the occultation as seen from the city nearest you.

The central image depicts Jupiter as seen through the Moon by X-ray vision. In reality, of course, you won't see Jupiter at that moment of closest approach between centers. The left and right images show the pair of objects at the moments of immersion and emersion, defined by when the center of Jupiter appears on the Moon's limb. In the graphics, straight up is the direction toward the local zenith, not celestial north.

The graphics may be removed soon after the event occurs.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

With this occultation Jupiter almost seems to cut right thru the center of the moon.

Segment from Chicago Astronomer Curt's Occultation Graphic

This time, the occultation may be somewhat difficult for me, depending on the moon's location, as buildings trees other obstructions interfere with my home observations. I can work around the time, as I am nocturnal.

Thank again to Curt for his data and graphics.

[Centaur]

Joe --

My graphic contains data on the azimuth/altitude of the event as viewed from the Adler Planetarium. The pair will be a little south of east, and over Lake Michigan if you are near the shore. The Moon will be at an altitude of 10.4 degrees at immersion and 21.0 degrees at emersion.

-- Curt

[timothy]

Hi
Hope it's clear. I get home from work at 2:25 am, just in time. I was watching the eclipse on my starry nights and happen to notice, at 4:12 Iota emerges from behind Jupiter and at 4:22 am the shadow from Europa begins to cross Jupiter. I don't know if you can see all this with the moon so close by, but I'm going to find out first hand. HOPEFULLY
I also almost saw the daytime occultation, but I got up just a little later than I had planned and by the time I got set up and was able to locate the moon because of the clouds, it was over, but at least I saw jupiter right next to the moon during the day. Cool

Tim

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Fortunately, I have a nice eastern view and hope that the skies are clear and the moon is clear of surrounding obsticles.

The Daytime occultation event was indeed a great observation, (my account in this forum), and this one should also prove to be cool, considering the darkened skies, although now much colder....brrrr.

I now look forward and depend on Curt's notices and info...

Thanks Curt!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I am really anticipating this occultation as the partner observation of the daytime time event a scant month ago. I have this huge building directly to my East, and I am hoping that the event will occur before the pair come close to it.

This info from Astronomy.com :

Play peek-a-boo with Jupiter
The Moon occults Jupiter
The Moon occults Jupiter on the morning of December 7, although the waning crescent will be fatter than it was during this August 1990 event.

Have you ever played peek-a-boo with an infant? As your face magically disappears and reappears from behind a curtain, the child squeals with delight. On Tuesday, many early-morning skywatchers may have the same reaction as they play the game with the Moon and Jupiter.

In the predawn hours of December 7, the waning crescent Moon will occult Jupiter. An occultation occurs when a larger appearing object passes in front of a smaller one, temporarily obscuring all or part of the background object from view. Lunar occultations of stars are fairly common, but when the Moon passes in front of a bright planet like Jupiter, it's a real celestial treat.

Observers in most of eastern and central North America will have an opportunity to see this naked-eye event. Facing southeast, you will spot the duo about one-third of the way up in the sky. Most will see a total occultation, but observers along different areas of the Moon's path will see our satellite occult different parts of Jupiter and its Galilean moons.

Although the lunar occultation will dazzle naked-eye observers, this sky event will provide an added bonus for those using telescopes. Watch for the reappearance of three of the four Galilean moons before Jupiter passes from behind the Moon. Callisto and Ganymede will reappear roughly 5 to 15 minutes before their parent planet. Ruddy Europa will show up a couple of minutes afterward. Jupiter will temporarily block the final satellite of this quartet, Io, as the giant reemerges. Even if you're using a small telescope, that's two occultations for the price of one!

To find the best times to view Jupiter's disappearing and reappearing act, visit the International Occultation Timing Association's web site.

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What are your plans to catch this cool, oh so early in the morning, event?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Well, in the early morn, I was cocooned in bed and heard the sheets of rain coming down. Alas..there would be no Lunar Occutation for this astronomer this time.

Onward to Comet Macholtz!

[timothy]

ditto
ditto

Tim

[Centaur]

My deepest apologies. I neglected to consult with the sky gods regarding the weather over Chicagoland, thus rendering my alert pointless. Next time I'll cover all the bases.

[timothy]

This is an excerpt from a poem I read entitled "TO DREAM " , no author. It seems to fit here


Everything is so perfect
Everything is so bright tonight
Somewhere someone is watching
Waiting until the time is right

Tim

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I understand that most of the US missed it as well. But Regardless, as always, great detailed info on the event from Curt. It's great to have a member who has an astrolabe, compass and alignment sticks to fortell celestial events.

And Tim, if you don't mind, I'll include the poem in the next newsletter. Cool and thanks for it.

[timothy]

Joe
OK by me

Tim

[Al Degutis]

Here is an awesome composite image of the event that many of us missed. The image, by Don Parker, was posted on the Astronomy.com website:

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

That is a very cool sequence of the occultation.

It was about the same for the daytime one, but the contrast was very very low and hazy. It looked for awhile if the moon had a new dome on it.

[stargazer]

I have known Don Parker for about two years now and I finally get to meet the man in person this Feb at the Winter Star Party. I plan on taking in his seminar on photography. I cant wait to go. I have already started to pack. I will let you guys know how the trip went when I get back home

B