Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
The 12% illuminated waxing crescent Moon will occult stars of the Pleiades (M45) cluster for North Americans during the evening of Tuesday 2008 APR 08. Immersions will occur on the dark limb and emersions on the bright limb.
I’ve created a graze map for North America. Observers on a star’s graze path will be able to see that star winking on and off as lunar hills and valleys pass by. Those between a star’s northern and southern paths will witness a full occultation. I also made a preview graphic for the location of Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. To see both the map and the graphic, click: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos and descriptions of the event would be welcome additions to this thread. If you would like occultation or graze data for a specific location, please reply to this post with a longitude, latitude, time zone and approximate altitude above sea level.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1114
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
In the following link, please find a thread to give some detail on an occasion I was able to observe such an event:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2247501/page/5/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
Hope U enjoy - clear skies 
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
That was fascinating, Timo. Well done! Thanks for sharing.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
varmint
I invite more abuse
Reged: 02/10/07
Posts: 768
Loc: Pacifica, CA, USA
|
|
Hello Curt,
If I'm reading your graze path info correct then the occultation will occur around my location during the daytime, or before the sun sets?
My observing location is 37Deg35Min N, 122Deg27Min W, Pacific Time zone, approx 500ft above sea level.
Thanks!
--------------------
Clear Skies,
Jim
--
"Do, or do not. There is no try."-Jedi Master Yoda
Scopes: CGE925, Orion 80ED (w/ADM MDS&Rings)
EPs: Naglers: 31, 22, 17, 9, 3.5 Pan’s: 15
Misc: Telrad, 2x&4x Powermate, Sol/OIII/UHC/Var Pol. Filters
Imaging Gear: Pentax K100D, SPC900NC
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
Hello Curt,
If I'm reading your graze path info correct then the occultation will occur around my location during the daytime, or before the sun sets?
My observing location is 37Deg35Min N, 122Deg27Min W, Pacific Time zone, approx 500ft above sea level.
Thanks!
Jim, I see you’re in the hills on the north end of the peninsula. During the mid-eighties I lived in Palo Alto. Yours would be a good site for astronomy if it were not for the lights of San Francisco.
For you the Moon will occult 18 Tauri (mag 5.7) with immersion during daylight at 18:33.31 PDT, and emersion soon after sunset at 19:42:56 PDT. The Moon will occult HD 23712 (mag 6.5) with immersion not long after sunset at 19:58.40 PDT, and emersion during nighttime at 20:58:06 PDT. No others among the 21 brightest Pleiads will be occulted from your location whether daytime or nighttime.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
varmint
I invite more abuse
Reged: 02/10/07
Posts: 768
Loc: Pacifica, CA, USA
|
|
Thanks Curt, yes South and South-West are my best skies. The light dome is funnelled up by the hills to the North and East, making objects in those areas diffuse, though the Moon punches through the worst of it. 
--------------------
Clear Skies,
Jim
--
"Do, or do not. There is no try."-Jedi Master Yoda
Scopes: CGE925, Orion 80ED (w/ADM MDS&Rings)
EPs: Naglers: 31, 22, 17, 9, 3.5 Pan’s: 15
Misc: Telrad, 2x&4x Powermate, Sol/OIII/UHC/Var Pol. Filters
Imaging Gear: Pentax K100D, SPC900NC
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1114
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Hi Curt - can U give a site or a software where one could calculate these kind of Lunar phenomena (occultations of bright stars and planets) into one's geographical location? Of course I have the local astronomical associations tables, but is there any software around or can one do this in WinStars 2 or Cartes du ciel perhaps?
Be well and clear skies !
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
Hi Curt - can U give a site or a software where one could calculate these kind of Lunar phenomena (occultations of bright stars and planets) into one's geographical location? Of course I have the local astronomical associations tables, but is there any software around or can one do this in WinStars 2 or Cartes du ciel perhaps?
Sorry, Timo, I'm not aware of such a site or public software. Perhaps someone else can help.
I use software that I have written myself using the PowerBASIC programming language. The algorithms are from the book Astronomical Tables of the Sun, Moon and Planets by Jean Meeus. It contains data and instructions for calculating the circumstances of occultations of planets and four first magnitude stars. In the case of the Pleiades, I follow the book’s directions for developing my own algorithms. Additionally that involves adjusting the stars’ positions for precession and proper motion, and obtaining highly accurate positions of the Moon from the Solex program of Aldo Vitagliano.
PowerBASIC
http://powerbasic.com
Astronomical Tables of the Sun, Moon and Planets
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/094339645X/crastro-20
Solex
http://main.chemistry.unina.it/~alvitagl/solex
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1114
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Thank you so much Curt for your answer!
There would apparently be some idea if somebody would construct an open source / freeware program to calculate these things to a given geographical location (perhaps with a filter of magnitude).
One could also include predicting of the occasions when - for instance - the ISS is about to transit the Lunar disc on a given geographical location, see this by Alan Friedman, shot on the 2nd of September 2007 (you have probably already seen this, but anyhow): http://www.avertedimagination.com/img_pages/ISS_lunar_transit.html
What an addition this kind of prediction ability would be to Cartes du Ciel for instance - or more importantly to the Virtual Moon Atlas, to mention just two software. It would be very interesting for us Lunar-enthusiasts!
As these programs already have huge databases of stellar information, it would probably require (only  ) the calculative procedure plus accurate position of the Moon plus orbital elements of the planets... 
Be well - and clear skies!
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
|
kx9i
super member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 112
Loc: Phoenix, AZ USA
|
|
I did a Google search for
"free software" lunar grazing
and found
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/occult4.htm
It looks exactly like what you are asking for, but I can't know for sure...
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1114
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Thank you Alex!
Just downloaded the whole lot - it requires first that .Net Framework 2.0 is installed and preferably one should also first install Google Earth.
The program looks very interesting - one has to give geographical location first, and one can also limit magnitudes and predict occultations for planets, stars, minor planets etc.
This looks like a program every Lunatic should download to get grips on action around our good old Moon!
Be well Alex and clear skies!!
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
We had thunderstorms last night here in Chicagoland. Did anyone else have better luck?
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
jmcdonald
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/05
Posts: 1503
Loc: Tucson, AZ
|
|
There were no occultations here in Tucson - or at least none I caught before the moon sank too low.
But the sight was amazing, especially in the 15x70 binoculars which showed a gorgeous crescent moon hanging next to the Pleiades with the two objects filling the entire field of view.
--------------------
Jerel
Discovery 12.5" modified truss DOB
Orion 100mm f/6 achromat
Garret 15x70 LW Binoculars
22-T4,13-T6
IDA Membership
|
Carol L
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 5880
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
|
|
We had another 4" of snow. 
--------------------
 *Step-by-Step Lunar Sketching*
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
8"SCT ~ 120achro ~ 90Mak ~ 80ST ~ 11x70s ~ 22x100s
|
dfell
sage
Reged: 06/25/05
Posts: 357
Loc: Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
|
|
As requested, link to occultation images.
http://www.spacealberta.com/gallery/moon_m45.jpg
--------------------
www.spacealberta.com
12" collapsible Dob
TV102
Ethos 13mm
original TV smoothside plossls
80mm f/15 Towa Refractor
abbe orthoscopics both .965 and 1.25
assorted 60mm scopes and parts
PST
|
canopus56
sage
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 298
|
|
Re: software -
Occult4
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/occult4.htm
See also, generally,
ITOA homepage
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/iotandx.htm
ITOA observing handbook (pdf download)
http://www.poyntsource.com/IOTAmanual/index.htm
- Kurt
|
SabiaJD
sage
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 429
Loc: Clarks Summit, PA
|
|
I surprised there are not many pictures of the event. I had a clear skies and mild temps that night. Due to other events that night I was only able to set up my Olympus C-5500 digital camera on my tripod. Here is one just before Maia dissappered.
--------------------
John D. Sabia
|
SabiaJD
sage
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 429
Loc: Clarks Summit, PA
|
|
Another before the event at 9:04 EDT.
Olympus C-5500 Zoom digital camera.
4 seconds @ f/4.8, ISO 200, full zoom 39.5 mm.
--------------------
John D. Sabia
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1114
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Wonderful shot, John! The earthsine-side of the good old Moon looks fabulous on this pic plus the almost (in the first pic) - seven -sisters present themselves at their very best! The touching effect is impressive.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Be well and clear skies!
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
Edited by Mare Nectaris (04/12/08 01:20 PM)
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
I surprised there are not many pictures of the event. I had a clear skies and mild temps that night. Due to other events that night I was only able to set up my Olympus C-5500 digital camera on my tripod. Here is one just before Maia dissappered.
Great shots, John. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad someone had clear skies. The next Pleiades occultation will come on 2008 MAY 06, but will be for Asians.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
