When the Moon lies in the umbra of the earth's shadow, it is possible to watch and record occultations of faint stars, which would otherwise have been lost in the light of the Full Moon. The accompanying graphic shows the moon at 00h UT on Nov 9 when it has already entered the earth's umbral shadow. The three stars which will undergo occultations during the eclipse can be seen to the right of the lunar disc. You will need a small telescope, or a pair of binoculars in order to view these events, which will  also enhance the beauty of the most spectacular eclipse of the moon this year.

First to go will be the mag 8.5 star SAO 93168, which will disappear near the lower edge of the umbra around 00h 12 UT, to be followed by SAO 93173, of similar magnitude at 00h 28 UT. SAO 93168 then reappears at the southern limb around 00h 55 UT, followed by SAO 93173 some 22 minutes later at 01h 17 UT. Between these reappearances, the third of the trio, a mag 9.8 star, XZ 3864 (TYC 1224-00926-1) will disappear at 01h 04 UT to reappear at the southern limb, like the other two did, at 01h 55 UT.

Jon Harper

Email: occultation@popastro.com

Address in Popular Astronomy

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