Occultation of Antares by the Moon July 14, 2008

[sheeny (Al)]

On Monday night July 14, 2008 the moon will occult Antares. This occultation is visible from southern parts of Australia (including Sydney) and all of New Zealand.

Immersion (or disappearance) of Antares will occur about 22:00 AEST for Sydney, and about 18:20 AWST for Perth.

Emersion (or reappearance) of Antares will occur about 23:01 AEST for Sydney, and about 19:38 AWST for Perth.

Checkout the map from the Astronomical Almanac Online to see if you can view the occultation: http://asa.hmnao.com/cgi-bin/occnwdo...s&body=Antares

Let us know if you are planning to observe or image this event, and post your observations here.

Al.

[bindibadgi]

Wow, that will be a great one! Thanks for the heads up.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Al, I'll definitely try for this one. What altitude will the moon be?

[Dennis]

Great - thanks Al, I've put this in the diary and booked some clear skies too!

Cheers

Dennis

[JimmyH155]

wILL IT BE VISIBLE IN bRISSIE?? iT LOOKED AS IF WE JUST MISS OUT, LOOKING AT THAT CHART

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by JimmyH155

wILL IT BE VISIBLE IN bRISSIE?? iT LOOKED AS IF WE JUST MISS OUT, LOOKING AT THAT CHART

I think don't so. From what I've read I think Coffs Harbour is about the limit of visibility for the occultation. But you should get a view of a nice close conjunction!

Al.

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Thanks Al, I'll definitely try for this one. What altitude will the moon be?

I can't tell you at the moment, Mike, I don't have the necessary tools with me ATM (work)... but I'll get back with that info (unless someone jumps in with it in the meantime).

Al.

[sheeny (Al)]

Without running it through CdC or similar program...

If I'm reading the almanac chart right, Antares should be at zenith over longitude 135°E, so it should be about an hour past zenith for us, Mike. Is that rough enough for your needs?

Al.

[Outbackmanyep]

I would like to point out that anyone living around the Coffs Harbour - Armidale-Narrabri Line will see a Grazing occultation. Anywhere north of this line you will not see an occultation at all.....i hope that i will be able to get up between Armidale and Guyra to witness the graze!

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Thanks Al, I'll definitely try for this one. What altitude will the moon be?

From CdC:
Azimuth :+284°38'
Altitude :+69°24'
(Actually that's Antares).

Al.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Al! Nice and high! Though slightly to the West - not good for me at home. Will have to make a road trip.

[DaveGee (Dave Gault)]

OK! attached is a .txt file that will specify event times for some sites...(open it with a notepad or similar using a constant width font)
also attached is a map of the occultation path

Hint watch for the reappearance of the secondary before the primary... Like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W09GACXhoY4