[AZ-Observing] Premier Asteroid Occultation for Phoenix AZ 22 Aug 13
- From: Wayne Thomas <tomwaymas@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 09:46:01 -0700
The greater Phoenix area has a rare opportunity, weather permitting,
to observe an asteroid occultation with many favorable parameters. The
predicted shadow passes directly over Phoenix. If there are sufficient
observations, we may be able to contribute to defining the shape of
this asteroid. For additional details, see the first link below. The
following is a summary of some of the data about this occultation.
Asteroid: (756) Lilliana ****
Date & Time: Thu 22 Aug 20:15
Combined Magnitude: 10.5
Rank: 74
Star: TYC 1109-00418-1
RA (h): 21h 19m 07.6s
DE (deg): +11° 13' 03.3"
RA (h) J2000: 21h 18m 25.9s
DE (deg) J2000: +11° 09' 19.3"
Star Magnitude: 10.5
Magnitude drop: 4.1
Sun altitude at event time: -15
Moon altitude: 3
Moon azimuth: 89
Moon distance from star: 38º
Moon illumination: 94%
See details at: http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/2013_08/0823_756_30080.htm
The predicted shadow path of (756) Lilliana crosses AZ from NE to SW
passing directly over the Phoenix area including cities from Glendale
and Avondale on the NW to Florence and Coolidge on the SE and
everything in between. Within this shadow path the probability is
equal to or greater than 40.3%, an excellent opportunity to observe an
occultation. To the good, this event occurs early on a Thursday
evening at 8:15 pm local time, the star is bright at 10.5 magnitude,
the star is high in the sky at 38 degrees altitude to the E (azimuth
102 degrees), the magnitude drop is excellent at 4.1 magnitude, the
max duration is good at 4.9 seconds and the uncertainty is time is
only 4 seconds. On the not so good side, the event occurs prior to the
end of astronomical twilight, the waning gibbous moon is 3 degrees
above the horizon to the East (azimuth 89 degrees) 38 degrees distant,
and it is on a week night. As of 18 Aug, there are three announced
stations for this event, one of them mine.
For additional details about asteroid occultations and about how to
participate, see the IOTA website:
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/iotandx.htm
On this Table of Contents page, there are four sections of particular
interest for Asteroid Occultations -- Asteroid Occultation
Information, Helpful Information, Occult Software and Related
Information, and Basics of Total Occultations. Within these sections
there are links to:
OccultWatcher (a free downloadable program which filters and
displays those occultations of interest to you):
http://www.hristopavlov.net/OccultWatcher/OccultWatcher.html
Steve Preston's predictions: http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/
A short "How To" with references: http://iota.jhuapl.edu/timng920.htm
AND many other useful links and information.
Let me know if you are interested or have questions.
Wayne Thomas
tomwaymas@xxxxxxxxx
SAC & EVAC
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