FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Lunar graze in Gilbert Thursday evening

[gene lucas <geneluca@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There is a lunar grazing occultation of a 6th magnitude star predicted 
on Thursday evening, April 11th visible in the Phoenix area (weather 
permitting).
This is a northern limit graze, visible along and soiuth of a line 
crossing the south side of Gilbert, AZ (for instance).  The limit line 
passes from NW to SE roughly paralleling the railroad tracks in the east 
part of the valley (and of course, extending across the state and the 
western U.S.).  Observers along or slightly south of, within about 1-2 
miles of the limit line may see the star wink in and out behind the 
mountains on the north limb (end) of the Moon, beginning at about 04:25 
UT (21:25 local time MST).
Observers north of the line will see the Moon pass by the star without 
an occultation, and observers farther south of the limit line will see a 
total occultation.
The path of visiblity for the graze zone is only about 1-2 miles deep, 
and depends strongly upon the observer's exact position.  For instance, 
the predicted limit passes across Gerry Rattley's house several blocks 
west of Gilbert Rd., next to Elliott Rd., but will miss the GRCO dome 
further east and north in Gilbert at the Riparian Water Park (near 
Guadelupe and Greenfield Roads), passing several miles south.
More information is generally available on the IOTA web pages:
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/iotandx.htm
Observers subscribing to IOTA services can receive annual prediction 
packages (lunar and asteroidal occultations) for their individual location.
Gene Lucas
(17250)

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