MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021
occultations
For a while I was interested in observing asteroid occultations.
They sounded challenging and exciting. Extreme (amateur) astronomy.
I like the idea that occultationists can contribute.
With this branch of observing, of course, I needed a new life list.
Events in reverse chronological order. All times are UTC.
I will note total solar eclipses here, as they are technically, occultations
of a star...
Occult means to block. Or hide. From wikipedia: "An occultation
is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object
that passes between it and the observer."
- 210610 - 05:37, partial annular solar eclipse
- From the water tower reservior hill in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Viewed with unaided eye, filtered eye, filtered ETX-90, filtered
C8. Photographed with 40D and afocal motorola e6. Detailed notes
recorded and photos posted on blog for 10
Jun '21.
170821 - 17:45:04.3, total solar eclipse!
- From Glendo, Wyoming, with a bunch of RASCals, experienced my
first total solar occultation. Saw pinhole projections, the silvery
light, sharp shadows, shadow bands, the rapid darkness, totality
for 2 minutes 28 seconds, a black hole in the sky, Venus, 360°
twilight, an asymmetrical corona, and the diamond ring at third
contact. Was very surprised to see prominences naked eye. Assisted
with temperature recordings and analyses. Amazing! Got the shirt.
Detailed notes recorded on 21
Aug '17.
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 date, 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.
That's zero sightings for asteroid occultations... out of 9 attempts.
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