------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2104 2005 Apr 10 11.00UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074 INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK WORLD WIDE WEB http://www.theastronomer.org ------------------------------------------------------------------- ASTEROIDAL OCCULTATIONS, NIGHT OF 2005 APRIL 10/11 Richard Miles reports on a number of asteroidal occultation events on which he requests assistance from our observers: (The following times are current UK clock times (BST) during the night of 2005 April 10/11). Time period / asteroid / star / star magnitude / max. duration / magnitude drop / location / chance of seeing 21:24-21:30 / 8 Flora / TYC 1916 1204 / 10th mag / 9 sec / 1 mag / south-west England / high 22:10-22:20 / 5083 Irinara / TYC 1901 1018 / 10th mag / 1 sec / 7 mags / Scotland, N. England / low 00:56-01:04 / 1021 Flammario / TYC 1933 0636 / 11th mag / 7 sec / 3 mags / Scotland, N. England / medium 02:33-02:43 / 601 Nerthus / TYC 0318 0571 / 12th mag / 6 sec / 3 mags / England, Scotland / high There is a significant uncertainty as to the actual track these predicted occultations will follow across the UK. The chances of seeing quoted are for observers in the preferred location. Certainly observers in Scotland or northern England will not be able to see the first event. Likewise, the second and third events will probably not be visible from south-west England. However, there is always the chance that one of these asteroids is a binary system and may have a small satellite, which would cause a secondary occultation of short (1 sec or less?) duration so it is worth observing all events if you live in the UK. Note that if clear, and if you try to observe all these predicted occultations from England/Scotland, the chances of witnessing one positive event is about 20-60%. The exception is if you live in Cornwall, in which case the first event probability should be >80%, the last event about 10-20%, and the other two are very unlikely to be seen. For more information follow the link to the April occultations at: http://astrosurf.com/eaon/ EDITOR: Please send reports to the editor and a copy to Richard Miles at: rmiles.btee@btinternet.com Guy M Hurst