An occultation of about 10 seconds was recorded by Diana Watson, Whakatane, New Zealand using visual observations.
View the updated prediction.
Observers: 1 D Watson, Whakatane, New Zealand 2 Predicted
Discussion:
The circle above is plotted at the expected 158 km diameter. With only one chord it is not possible to say which side of the MP Diana observed. The plot has assumed the option that places the center closer to the predicted path.
Observational Data:
TELESCOPE DETAILS: Aperture (cm) : 20 Focal length (cm) : 200 Type (e.g. SCT; Newtonian) : Celestron 8 Magnification : 160 times Observing site name : Whakatane Longitude (DD MM SS ; East +ve) : 176 51 50.7 Latitude (DD MM SS ; South -ve) : -37 55 18.5 Height above Sealevel (metres) : 2.8 metres Geodetic Datum (e.g.WGS84,NZ1949): WGS84 Height Datum (if known) : Sky Transparency (Delete two) : Fair Star Image Stability (Delete two): Fair Other Conditions: (Wind, Clouds, Lights, etc.): Moonlight, ground mist Time Source (e.g. WWVH, GPS) : WWVH Recording method (e.g. tape) : tape recorder Could you see the Asteroid? : Yes Approx. Limiting Magnitude : 13 | Estimated | Universal Time | Reaction | Accuracy, Remarks h m s | Time (sec) | Started Observing : 13:05:00.0 Star and Object Merged : 13:03:00.0 during this minute Disappearance At : 13:11:04.2 possibly 1 or 2seconds slow Reappearance At : 13:11:14.0 timed as star reached maximum Star and Object Separated : 13:22:00.0 by this minute Stopped Observing : 13:19:00.0 Was your reaction time (also known as Personal Equation) subtracted from any of the above timings? : If YES, state value : If you could tell, in which direction did the asteroid pass relative to the star (Delete three) : NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, or WEST If possible, estimate the DISTANCE OF CLOSEST APPROACH in arc seconds: ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Challenging occultation! Low magnitude star, bright moon near, the threatening cloud slowly drifting towards the target area kindly evaporated but there was a good ground mist which caused air disturbance. Good that I was able to check out the area the previous evening, under similar conditions, took a while locating it. So it did not take me long next night, then there were two possible target stars, time showed which pair were slowly coming together. I thought that the star would dim not disappear, so timing was slow when I realized I was seeing nothing, one or even two seconds slow. Lots of thoughts and doubts flashed through my mind in those approx. ten seconds waiting to see if the star would reappear, then suddenly the minor planet slipped off the star and I feel that I timed it just as the star reached maximum brightness.
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