Chaps, here is a good event for Melbourne based observers...
John Talbot writes...
Hi Team,
This is a heads up for a bright star event on 2011 Mar 04 Fri 13:55 UTC (31227) 1998 BC41 (est diameter ~18 km) occults HIP 54029 mag 5.5 (brightest event for ages).
I am located just on the Southern edge of predicted path so I will be trying from home.
For NZ the centre line goes close to East - West through Te Horo on SH1 or between Mt Bruce and Masterton on SH2 but wide error band so 1 sigma lines are about 100km N or S of Te Horo. Ie anywhere from Blenheim to Wanganui has about a 6% to 9% probability of a positive.
It then crosses the Tasman and goes roughly between Melboune and Waranambool both inside 1 sigma line. Then it crosses the Bight and should be close to Bunbury with Perth and Albany both just outside the 1 sigma line.
Star is bright enough to make visual observation if you don't have video camera with even a small scope.
In NZ it will be high 56 deg in NW so should not have too many horizon problems here or in Aus.
There are already 5 registered in Occult Watcher but it would be great to see a few more.
For more details check Occult Watcher or
http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/2...1227_24718.htm
Regards
John Talbot