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[Centaur]

During the early morning hours of 2005 DEC 23 the Moon will occult Beta Virginis for observers in the US and Canada. Exceptions are Alaska, Hawaii and areas near the southern border of the US mainland. The Mag 3.6 star in Virgo is also known as Zavijava. It will be at RA 11:51.0 and Decl N 1°44’.

I’ve created a graphic that demonstrates the occultation and provides data for an observer located at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. To see it, click:

www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

If you’ll reply in this thread with the coordinates for your location (Longitude, Latitude, Time Zone and approximate Altitude above sea level), I’ll be glad to provide you with customized occultation data.

The graphic may be removed soon after the event occurs.

[Centaur]

The southern graze path for the occultation of Mag 3.6 Beta Virginis during the early morning hours of 2005 DEC 23 will cross the USA from California to Florida. The northern graze path will run across arctic Canada. Those between the graze paths will witness a full occultation. Those on the graze path will be able to see the star winking on and off as lunar hills and valleys pass by. Finding an observation spot right on the graze line is always a challenge for an astronomical enthusiast.

The apparent disk of the waning Moon will be 54% illuminated. Those seeing a full occultation will watch the bright limb of the Moon cover the star; later the star will emerge from the dark limb. The star’s celestial coordinates of date will be RA 11:51.0 and Dec N 1°44’.

To see the map I plotted for the graze path, click: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html . The pink portion of the path indicates a daylight event. The numerals represent the Universal Time.

Below are my calculated geographic coordinates for the points on the graze path separated by five degrees of longitude. The times are UT. ZA is the Zenith Angle, which is the position of the star on the lunar limb as measured counter-clockwise from the zenith. Sea level is assumed due to the variance in altitude between plotted points. Linear interpolation would be insufficient for intermediate longitudes, but quadratic interpolation should get you close. However, please feel free to reply within this thread to learn the data that go with any specific longitudes and altitudes (above sea level) you provide.

08:11:02 UT - ZA 260.3°
W 125° – N 37.85215°
Pacific Ocean, 231 kilometers west of San Francisco, CA

08:12:13 UT - ZA 261.3°
W 120° – N 37.80308°
Stanislaus National Forest, 3 km SE of Colfax Spring, CA

08:14:06 UT - ZA 262.2°
W 115° – N 37.56101°
Nevada, 6 kilometers south of Pahroc Summit Pass

08:16:46 UT - ZA 263.2°
W 110° – N 37.10504°
Navajo Indian Reservation, 13 km SW of Mexican Hat, UT

08:20:21 UT - ZA 264.3°
W 105° – N 36.40849°
Elliot Barker State Wildlife Area, 8 km NW of Rayado, NM

08:24:58 UT - ZA 265.4°
W 100° – N 35.43664°
TX/OK state line 4 kilometers southwest of Meridian, OK

08:30:52 UT - ZA 266.4°
W 95° – N 34.14360°
7 kilometers southeast of Alikchi, OK

08:38:19 UT - ZA 267.4°
W 90° – N 32.46768°
Ross Barnett Reservoir, 26 km NE of downtown Jackson, MS

08:47:41 UT - ZA 268.1°
W 85° – N 30.32535°
4 kilometers northeast of Estiffanulga, FL

08:59:29 UT - ZA 268.2°
W 80° – N 27.60432°
Atlantic Ocean, 18 kilometers east of Route 1, Oslo, FL

[janet]

For more information on the Moon Occults Beta Virginis, my coordinates are:
88.75' W 41.93' N, CST, 912' above sea level.

Thanks!

[Centaur]

janet said:

For more information on the Moon Occults Beta Virginis, my coordinates are:
88.75' W 41.93' N, CST, 912' above sea level.

Thanks!

Welcome to the Chicago Astronomer website, Janet. It looks as though you're located near my Alma Mater. My niece is currently a sophomore there.

Here are the occultation data for Beta Virginis at your location during the early morning of Dec 23:

Immersion: 02:01:50 CST - ZA 193.6°
Emersion: 03:10:59 CST - ZA 316.5°

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Janet,

Thank you for your first post and registering as a member of the Chicago Astronomer.

Great that you might catch the graze of Beta from your location. If so, let us know of your observation, and please do tell us a bit about yourself...

And a great thanks to Curt (Centaur), for his notices and speedy replies.

[Centaur]

admin said:

Great that you might catch the graze of Beta from your location.

Please do not infer from my info that a graze would be seen in DeKalb. Folks in our area will definitely be able to see an occultation (weather permitting), but the point to our south on the graze line is in Alabama.