OCCULTATION OF ZC 3167 BY TITANIA
A Chance to Observe a Rare Occultation.
Normally the Occultation Section of the SPA is all about watching
and timing our moon as it passes in front of stars. However, on September
8th at 01h 58m U.T., it is predicted that the Uranian moon TITANIA will occult
the 7.2 M(v) star Z.C.3167 ( SAO 164538 )( 136B Capricorni ). This event is
very rare but should be visible in all small telescopes. Unfortunately the
event takes place at a rather low altitude of between 8 and 10 degrees in
the SW, However given a very clear sky and unobstructed view of the horizon,
you should be able to witness the dramatic drop in magnitude as the 13.8 magnitude
moon of Uranus hides the very much brighter yellow star. Incidentally Titania
and Z.C.3167 lie just 16 seconds of arc to the NE of Uranus (i.e. to the lower
right of the planet as seen through an inverting telescope.).
The further south and west you are in the British Isles the
better your chance of observing this event. The northern limit of the occultation
passes across the middle of Ireland and continues across Northern England
from Carlisle to Berwick. If you are further north it is still a good idea
to watch in case the predicted path is in error. The star will be hidden by
Titaniia from between 1 to 45 seconds the further south you are from the northern
limiting line.
Astronomers will be watching the occultation very carefully because there are indications that Titania ( diam 1580km) may have a tenuous atmosphere and this would result in a gradual fading rather than an instantaneous one.
The Graphics should help you home in on the event.
If you are able to observe and even time this occultation, and
can describe what you were able to see, please send in a report to this section.
We shall be very interested in your results.
Jon Harper,
Director,
Occultation Section
