This prediction update has been computed by Steve Kerr of Rockhampton, Queensland Australia based on astrometry from Gordon Garradd of Loomberah, New South Wales, Australia. The Tycho 2 position of the target star has been used.

Summary:

This updated path lies around four path widths to the north of that given by Occult and around 90 seconds later. The new path crosses Sydney during twilight at 8:01 UT before running on across the Tasman Sea. There the path crosses the Cook Strait area including Wellington around 8:06 UT.

Observers should note that this update is based on only 4 astrometric observations made by Gordon Garradd under difficult conditions - the asteroid is 18th magnitude in a rich milky way field. As such, the error tolerance is fairly large - the dotted red circle represents the 95% certainty arc based on the ASTEROID CALCULATION ONLY - NO ERRORS DUE TO STAR POSITIONS. As such observers between Coff's Harbour and Gippsland in Australia and between the Bay of Plenty area and Christchurch in New Zealand stand a reasonable chance of observing and occultation. The asteroid is however quite small with only a narrow path occurring reducing the chances of an observation.

THE EVENT AT ONE GLIMPSE:

• Date and approx. UT time of event: August 23, 2001 @ 8:03 UT
• Magnitude of target star: 9.8
• Magnitude drop [mag]: 7.4
• Estimated maximum duration [s]: 3.4
• Path description: See above.

• Approximate width [km]: 30
• Uncertainty [km]: 800 (95 % confidence)
• Map: See below
• Remarks: Uncertainities are given on the basis of the nominal star position errors and the expected asteroid positional accuracy.
• Circles along the path are OCCULT calculated exact centerline points !!!!