SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2011
occultations
Recently, I've become interested in observing asteroid occultations. They sound
challenging and exciting. Extreme (amateur) astronomy. I like the idea that occultationists
can contribute.
With this branch of observing, of course, I will need a new life list. See
below. Events in reverse chronological order. All times are UTC.
I've also noted solar eclipses here, as they are technically, occultations
of a star...
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- 110328.0216, 157070 2003 SG307, TYC 0164-01394-1u, miss
- Was not expecting to get a hit, being 57 km from the centre-line. But it was clear and the seeing was fairly good and I had finally figured out all the particulars with Denis's occultation rig. Captured a good video record from 2:14:00 through 2:19:00—the mag 9.2 star did not go out.
- 110308.0010, 675 Ludmilla, TYC 1302-01159-1, no data / washed out?
- Attempted video recording from Long Sault Conservation Area. StellaCam3 view was washed out. Impossible to see but one star. Target star was approx. 20° elevation to the west. Perhaps thin cloud with light pollution confused camera. Discovered later finder socpe was off by about 1° so probably was not on target star. Assisted by Uve, Steve, and Lewis. From different sites, Frank, Eric, Tom, and Guy also attempted.
110222.2230, 3836 Lem, TYC 01911-0693-1, no data- Attempted video recording from porch on Colbeck St. Thought I'd do a full setup for practice. While off the predicted path, if I got a good video recording, I could contribute some data. Inconclusive. The camera image was the worst seen to data, with bright interference bars. Source: unknown.
110218.1813, 16 Psyche, 2UCAC 38564170, no data- While using the RASC Toronto Centre's C14 on a Paramount ME with TheSky6 and a T-Point model, was unable to visually see the target star due to sky brightness: the Sun was 6 degrees below the horizon.
110116.0357, 66 Maja, TYC 1929-00358-1, no data- Wanted to record this occultation with loaner video equipment but I had not done a full set-up with my 'scope and the camera before. In fact, had not done a full 'scope set-up on the new porch. Began preparations at 1:30 AM. SkyTools referred to the target star as HD 63991. Finished telescope config at 3:47 AM; had not connected flip mirror or camera. Tried visual. Disoriented and could not find proper star.
- 100814.0435, 122 Gerda, 2UCAC 23738719, hazed out
- Found target star in 8" SCT with Tele Vue 9mm eyepiece inside the THO at the CAO. Katrina observing (me). But as we approached time, lost sight of target star, nearby star, and then all field stars, perhaps due to cloud and/or haze and/or elevation. Considered switching to C14 but too complex logistically. From Starfest: Denis, with video equipment , did not have the target on screen; Guy recorded a miss; Frank could not resolve the star in his 8" SCT.
090307.0255, 95 Arethusa, TYC 5495-00573-1, no data- Viewed from backyard at Mom's in Union. Found star but eyepiece dewed up moments
before occultation! Dew heater not working. Could not clearly see target star.
Other equipment worked fine. Meanwhile Guy and others got good
data!
090302.0413, 51222 2000 JE24, GSC 02423-01036, miss- Viewed from backyard on Evelyn Crescent. Better support from neighbours in
terms of lighting. All equipment worked properly. My result: a miss. On-line
miss results have been updated. Hey! I didn't know Andy was trying too!
090217.0256, 6249 Jennifer, TYC 5936-00858-1, no data- A low probability event. Guy had told me to stay home to observe it. Tried
from backyard on Evelyn Crescent. But could not find target star in Lepus. Due
in part to improper preparation of finding charts and interference from neighbour
lights. Eric reported a miss from Long Sault. Guy had equipment trouble.
081031.0121, mock asteroid, GSC 00600 00670, partial- Mockultation of GSC 00600 00670 planned by Guy Nason to train rookie occultationists.
Long Sault Conservation Area. My result was "mixed." I was away from
the eyepiece at D but "saw" the R. Guy
reported on our evening.
001225, partial solar eclipse- Viewed with welders glass from Union. Mom watched with her mylar sunglasses.
Also viewed with pinhole camera. Noted 2 small spots.
940510, annular solar eclipse- Viewed from street, downtown Toronto, without equipment.
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That's zero sightings for asteroid occultations... out of 9 attempts.
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