This prediction update has been computed by Stephen Kerr based on astrometry from Ron Stone of the US Naval Observatory - Flagstaff Station. The ACT position of the target star has been used.

Summary:

This update shows virtually no change in position or timing relative to Edwin Goffin's prediction. The path crosses the Western Australian coastline just north of Carnarvon (14:11 UT) with Exmouth just on the northern edge. Port Hedland, Karratha, Broome (14:12 UT) and Derby all lie within the predicted path. Darwin lies just off the southern edge (14:13 UT). The path crosses Papua New Guinea at low altitude - Wewak lies near the southern edge (14:14 UT).

Observers should note that the asteroid is not significantly fainter than the star and should be clearly visible. In the event of an occultation being observed, the star/asteroid image would fade in a step event rather than completely disappear.

• Date and approx. UT time of event: October 22, 2000 @ 14:13 UT
• Magnitude of target star: 10.07
• Magnitude drop [mag]: 1.2
• Estimated maximum duration [s]: 14.1
• Path description: See above.
• Goffin's original chart reference: A00_1003

• Approximate width [km]: 190
• Map: See below
• Circles along the path are OCCULT calculated exact centerline points !!!!

• Name: TYC 6925 00262 = PPM 736370
• Constellation: Capricornus
• J2000 position [h,m,s; ^o,',"]: 20h 44m 20.325s; -24^o 45' 18.27"
• Position source: ACT
• Estimated accuracy ["]: 0.04" (0.04", 0.02")
• V mag [mag]: 10.07
• B-V [mag]: +1.36
• Remarks:
• The target star is in southern Capricornus. The magnitude 4.15 star psi Capricorni lies only 38' to the south-east of the target star. The magnitude 8.67 star HIP 102290 = SAO 189614 lies only 11' north-west of the target star.

• Number, name: (9) Metis
• Approx. diameter [km]: 183.7
• Source of used astrometry: US Naval Observatory - Flagstaff Station (Ron Stone)
• Number of used observations: 48
• Number of rejected observations: 0
• Time covered by the observations: 2000 06 14 - 2000 10 10

• UT date and time of least geocentric approach: 2000 October 22, 14:06.4 UT
• Approx. V mag of minor planet at event [mag]: 10.89
• Geocentric parallax of minor planet ["]: 4.22
• Magnitude drop [mag]: 1.2
• Estimated maximum duration [s]: 14.1
• Apparent motion of minor planet ["/h]: 31.06
• Angular distance to moon, phase of moon [deg,%]: 158, 25%
• Update computed by: Stephen Kerr (Win OCCULT 1.3).

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Astrometric updates such as these should not be taken as definitive, but rather only as an indication of where the true track may lie relative to the original predicted track. Observers must bear in mind that later astrometry, in which the target star is measured in the same field as the asteroid, may still reveal substantial changes to the predicted track and time of the event. For this reason it is most important that observers far from the predicted track still monitor the event.