Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003agufmed51c1214d&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2003, abstract #ED51C-1214
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
5420 Impact Phenomena (Includes Cratering), 6035 Orbital And Rotational Dynamics, 6205 Asteroids And Meteoroids, 6250 Moon (1221), 6605 Education
Scientific paper
Occultations of stars by asteroids and by the Moon are exciting dynamical phenomena with each event visible from a restricted region of the Earth. Much about astronomy can be taught by observing them while their time-critical nature teaches discipline. The successful observation of these events is a rewarding experience resulting in new knowledge about the cosmos. The sizes and shapes of asteroids can be determined from observations of asteroidal occultations, and satellites of these objects can be discovered. Similarly, the profile of the polar regions of the Moon can be determined from observation of lunar grazing occultations visible from narrow strips of land a few kilometers wide at the edges of the regions of visibility of lunar occultations. In addition, both types of observation can discover and resolve very close double stars difficult or impossible to resolve by other current means, and even stellar diameters can be measured from observations of some asteroidal occultations. Accurate observations can now be made with small sensitive video cameras attached to small portable telescopes. The same equipment can also be used to monitor the dark side of the crescent Moon to record lunar meteor impacts. All of these observations are coordinated mainly among amateur astronomers by the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA). This activity is also a good subject for college, university, and some high school astronomy and physics classes that can be coordinated with (and helped by) local amateur astronomers. Since many of the observations are made during expeditions, and sometimes very bright stars are involved, they also provide an opportunity to interact with, and educate, the general public.
Bates Henry H.
Dunham David W.
Warren Wayne H.
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