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Updated: 2006 JUN 22, 04:47 UT
Event Rank : 7
(The event Rank is a measure of the likelihood of observing an event, and is equal to the probability of at least one successful observation by a team of two observers spaced 1/8 path width just inside opposite sides of the predicted path. An event rank of 100 indicates that the prediction is expected to be very accurate).
THE UPDATED PATH
Note: The duration given in the line below is the interval during which the occultation shadow sweeps across the Earth - please see the minute markers on the map to determine the approximate time for your location.
On 2006 Jul 26 UT, the 1055 km diameter asteroid (28978) Ixion will occult a 13.7 mag star in the constellation Ophiuchus for observers along a path that is predicted to miss the Earth by less than 1000km. Note that the uncertainty of the prediction is such that a path shift over Australia, New Zealand or any location in the Pacific Ocean is quite possible. For any particular location the probability of observing this event is approximately only about 4% or less, but given the importance a positive observation would have, it is recommended that as many observers as possible attempt it.
In the case of an occultation, the combined light of the asteroid and the star will drop by 5.9 mag to 19.6 mag (the magnitude of the asteroid) for as long as 77.7 seconds. Note that uncertainty is very large in time as well, therefore it is important to monitor the target star for at least 30 minutes either side of the predicted time, longer if possible.
This update is based on historical astrometry from the MPC files (via AstDys), astrometry for the asteroid from La Silla, and the following catalogs for the star position: UCAC.
Additional details of this and other events are available at Steve Preston's website at http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/
EVENT DETAILS SUMMARY :Important Note regarding Accuracy:
The uncertainty interval in path widths given above (and shown as a 1-sigma uncertainty ellipse on the plot) refers to RMS deviation and is applied as a +/- range. In other words, a path uncertainty of 1.0 path widths means that the actual center of the asteroid's shadow path should fall within plus or minus 1 path width of the plotted path center. However path errors larger than 1 sigma have been observed so observers should be alert for primary occultations within plus or minus 3 sigma of the updated path.
Further, almost all asteroidal satellites discovered so far have been found within 10 diameters of the asteroid (since this distance is deep enough within the gravitational well to be stable over long timescales). Therefore, if monitoring for secondary events, observing out to about 10 path-widths either side of the predicted track remains worthwhile.
We therefore recommend that you monitor for events if your observing location is up to +/- 10 path-widths from the predicted track. If not monitoring for occultations by secondary bodies you should observe from locations within 3 sigma of the nominal path.
In terms of time, the predictions are now usually accurate to about +/- 0.3 minute so you should be most attentive during the predicted minute of the event. However if intending to catch a potential satellite occultation you should start observing at least 10 times the predicted central duration before the predicted closest approach time for your location, and continue for a similar period afterwards.
Use these links for further information:
[Planetary Occultations]
[Using the Predictions]
[Observing Details]
[Timing Details]
[Reporting Details]
[Report Form]
[Asteroid Occultation Results]
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