lunar occulation of saturn

[Chippy3476]

Hi all,
I was just chasing any advice on the best way to get a good view of this occulation on the 22nd of February. It will occur in the morning at around 9 am. I will be using a 114mm newt. Any advice on what eyepieces, filters etc would be great.
Thanks
Dan

[glend]

There is an article in the current edition of Australian Sky and Telescope that gives all the info on this event (page 60). Steve Kerr the author recommends a red filter to darken the sky and raise the contrast. Use as much magnificaiton as you can and still retain a wide enough field of view that you don't miss the approach.

[Pinwheel]

9am ?? Daytime...?:confused2:

[glend]

Yes it is a day time event and can be visible to those prepared. Suggest you read the article in Aus Sky and Telescope page 60.

It occurs at differing times based on your latitude and whether your effected by DST or EST. In Melbourne Saturn will disappear behind the moon at 9:52am on Saturday the 22nd.

[mithrandir]

For Caboulture occultation starts at about 09:12 AEST with Saturn at about 34deg altitude and reappearance at 10:14 AEST with altitude 19deg.

[deanm]

Lunar occultations of Saturn happen (on average) once every 10 years.

2014 is special - there will be no less than three visible from Australia.

Ian Musgrave has the low-down:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/01/29/3932747.htm

Dean

[axle01]

How do I find out if it will be visible in Townsville, looks like Cairns will miss it.

Al

[Chippy3476]

According to Australian sky and telescope magazine Townsville disappears at 9:35am and reapears at 9:53am. Hope this helps.

[brisen]

Al

It looks like you might just catch it as AS&T have it passing just above the lower edge of the moon. Disappearance at 0935 hrs and reappearance at 0953 hrs.

Brian

[axle01]

Hey Brian and Danial very much appreciated.

Al

[axle01]

I feel a bit of a d**k head I just read it in the Aust Sky & T/S magazine.

Al

[Chippy3476]

No worries champ:lol: glad to help out a fellow stargazer!
Dan

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks for the link!!! I guess it is better to wait for the other two if one doesn't live in Perth where it is still partially dark when the first one takes place? Although apparently it will still be visible also the first time, so I will give it a go. :)

[deanm]

Chippy:
"According to Australian sky and telescope magazine Townsville disappears at 9:35am and reapears at 9:53am."

Bloody hell! And I thought Saturn was the one doing the disappearing trick!

Do you think we should alert Townsie folk to their forthcoming non-visibility?!

Dean

[Steffen]

In Sydney it'll start around 10am but will still be good. I know because I won't be around to see it... :(

Cheers
Steffen.

[Pinwheel]

That picture is so funny...it looks like Saturn's a cars hubcap tearing down the road & the moon is in the way...:lol:

[axle01]

Shocking weather here for the past few weeks, 50 x 50 bet if we will see it tomorrow.

[axle01]

Totally p#s#d off, perfect blue sky at 7.30am now totally clouded at 8am might as well pack it all away.

F$&;@€#%*<?$&

[OzStarGazer]

:sad:Worst weather and most evil clouds ever... :mad2:
I followed it in Starry Night just for fun, but of course it was nothing like the real thing. Still... I watched it!
:(

[glend]

I saw it no probem other than the odd cloud drifting nearby on approach. Used a red filter in my 15mm Superview EP in the 16" dob.

[astronobob]

LOL @ Doug Re: Hubcap :rofl:

Totally missed it here and most likely anyone else within a 100 mile radius :confused2:
Looks like May, may yield better sky tho :cloudy:

[Quoll]

There's another thread on the occultation with a link to a video

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=117445