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THE HANDBOOK OF THE BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION 2016 2015 October ISSN 0068–130–X

The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

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Page 1: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

THE HANDBOOKOF THE

BRITISH ASTRONOMICALASSOCIATION

2016

2015 October ISSN 0068–130–X

Page 2: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

CONTENTSCALENDAR 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4SKY DIARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5VISIBILITY OF PLANETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6RISING AND SETTING OF THE PLANETS IN LATITUDES 52°N AND 35°S . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8ECLIPSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17EARTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18SUN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-21LUNAR LIBRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22MOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23MOONRISE AND MOONSET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27SUN’S SELENOGRAPHIC COLONGITUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28LUNAR OCCULTATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-35GRAZING LUNAR OCCULTATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-37APPEARANCE OF PLANETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38MERCURY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39-40VENUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41MARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43ASTEROIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-49ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-53ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54-56NEO CLOSE APPROACHES TO EARTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57JUPITER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-62SATELLITES OF JUPITER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-66JUPITER ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67-76SATURN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77-80SATELLITES OF SATURN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81-84URANUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85NEPTUNE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86TRANS–NEPTUNIAN & SCATTERED DISK OBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87DWARF PLANETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88-91COMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92-96METEOR DIARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97-99VARIABLE STARS (RZ Cassiopeiae; Algol; λ Tauri) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100-101MIRA STARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102VARIABLE STAR OF THE YEAR (Z Andromedæ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103-105EPHEMERIDES OF VISUAL BINARY STARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106-107BRIGHT STARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108ACTIVE GALAXIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109PLANETS – EXPLANATION OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110ELEMENTS OF PLANETARY ORBITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112-113INTERNET RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114-115GREEK ALPHABET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / ERRATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Front Cover: The previous Transit of Mercury - as taken through a Hydrogen Alpha telescope on 08 November 2006 at 08:19-22UT (D.C.Parker)

Page 3: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

British Astronomical Association

HANDBOOK FOR 2016NINETY–FIFTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

BURLINGTON HOUSE, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W1J 0DUTelephone 020 7734 4145

Page 4: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

2 BAA Handbook 2016

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Page 5: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Preface 3

PREFACE

Welcome to the 95th Handbook of the British Astronomical Association.

The Handbook tries to highlight forthcoming astronomical events for the year but there are always events that can be missed, or are entirely unpredictable, like comets, asteroid close approaches, aurorae, etc. Make sure you watch the BAA’s website for the latest news. Also, make sure you are receiving the e-bulletins by keeping your email up to date with the BAA office.

Once again we would also encourage everyone to join their local astronomical society to try equipment, talk to like-minded people, and to give and receive help. It can take a long time to choose the right equipment and learn how to use it, so make the most of your local society. The BAA’s Sections can help too. Contact the Section Directors, who will be pleased to help.

Unfortunately we are restricted by the number of pages that we can include in the Handbook. This does mean that some things will have to be left out. However, the Computing Section does try to publish all additional data on the section website (http://britastro.org/computing). Members may also like to know that the Computing Section provides the data for the Royal Astronomical Society’s Diary, and Sheridan Williams continues to provide the data for Whitaker’s Almanack.

This past year has seen several changes : Sheridan has ended his 5 year tenure as Director - a time I know that he thoroughly enjoyed, and Graham Relf has decided not to continue as the website editor for the section - a role which he amply filled. If anyone would like to offer their services helping out in the section, then I'd be happy to hear from you. Finally, we must thank all the contributors to the Handbook. You will find them acknowledged on page 116. Contact details for many of these can be found at the back of every Journal. Alternatively, email the Director, Steve Harvey (address below) and messages can be forwarded to those concerned.

Clear skies for 2016 !

Steve HarveyDirector, Computing SectionEmail: [email protected]

July 2015

Page 6: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

4 Highlights BAA Handbook 2016

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2016The following events during 2016 are worthy of note:

Sun and Moon:There will be four eclipses (two of the Sun and two of the Moon) and a transit of Mercury. One of the solar eclipses will be a total eclipse and one an annular eclipse. The total will not be visible from the anywhere in the UK. Both lunar eclipses are penumbral. The transit of Mercury will be visible in its entirety from the UK.

Planets, Dwarf Planets and Asteroids:Mercury is best seen (northern latitudes) in the mornings around late September to early October and in the evenings around mid-April.Venus is an evening object until July, reaching superior conjunction on 6 June.Mars is visible throughout the year. It reaches opposition on 22 May.

Meteors:Among other meteor showers, the Eta Aquarids (24 Apr – 20 May), and the Alpha Capricornids (15 Jul – 20 Aug), are favourable in 2016. The Quadrantids (1 Jan – 6 Jan) and the Perseids (23 Jul – 20 Aug) are quite favourable.

Comets:2013 US10 (Catalina) could be a binocular object at the beginning of the year.45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova is the brightest of the periodic comets, and may be visible in binoculars at the end of the year, though it is relatively close to the Sun. Refer to the BAA Comet Section for latest info : https://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~jds/

Space Probes and Artificial Satellites:NASA's Juno probe is due to enter orbit around Jupiter in July. Predictions for the International Space Station and other bright satellites can be found for any geographic location at: http://www.heavens-above.com

Highlights by date: Jan. 9 Saturn 0.1° South of Venus Mar. 8 Jupiter at opposition Mar. 9 Total solar eclipse visible from South East Asia. Partial phases are visible from Northern Australia, Papua, Papua New Guinea, China, and Alaska 20 The vernal equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 04:30 UT 23 Penumbral eclipse of the Moon visible from North and South America at Moonset, and Eastern Asia at Moonrise. Eastern Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific will see the whole eclipse Apr. 6 Moon 0.5°N of Venus 9 Moon 0.02°N of Vesta May 9 Transit of Mercury 22 Mars brightest (at opposition) Jun. 3 Saturn at opposition Jun. 20 The summer solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 22:34 UT Aug. 4 Mercury occulted by the Moon for New Zealand 12–13 Perseids meteor shower Sep. 1 Annular solar eclipse visible from Central Africa 2 Neptune at opposition 16 A penumbral eclipse of the Moon is visible from Britain and Europe at Moonrise and visible in its entirety from Eastern Africa and the whole of Asia. 22 The autumnal equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 14:21 UT Oct. 15 Uranus at opposition Dec. 21 The winter solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 10:44 UT

Page 7: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Sky Diary 5

SKY DIARY m d h Phenomenon m d h Phenomenon

1 3 19 Moon 1.5° N of Mars 7 2 4 Moon 0.5° N of Aldebaran 1 4 9 Quadrantids 7 7 3 Mercury superior conjunction 1 6 3 Pluto conjunction Sun 7 7 22 Pluto opposition Sun 1 9 4 Saturn 0.1° S of Venus 7 9 10 Moon 1° S of Jupiter 1 14 14 Mercury inferior conjunction 7 16 18 Venus 0.5° S of Mercury 1 16 6 Moon 1.5° S of Uranus 7 23 6 Moon 1° N of Neptune 1 28 1 Moon 1.5° S of Jupiter 7 28 - Delta Aquarids 1 30 9 Pluto 0.5° S of Mercury 7 29 11 Moon 0.3° N of Aldebaran 2 7 1 Mercury greatest elongation W(26°) 7 30 17 Regulus 0.3° S of Mercury 2 10 0 Moon 2° N of Neptune 8 4 22 Moon 0.5° S of Mercury 2 12 14 Moon 2° S of Uranus 8 5 9 Regulus 1° S of Venus 2 16 8 Moon 0.3° N of Aldebaran 8 6 3 Moon 0.2° S of Jupiter 2 24 4 Moon 2° S of Jupiter 8 12 12 Perseids 2 28 16 Neptune conjunction Sun 8 16 21 Mercury greatest elongation E(27°) 3 8 12 Moon 2° N of Neptune 8 19 12 Moon 1° N of Neptune 3 8 11 Jupiter opposition Sun 8 20 12 Pallas opposition Sun 3 9 2 Total solar eclipse 8 25 17 Moon 0.2° N of Aldebaran 3 10 22 Neptune 1.5° N of Mercury 8 27 22 Jupiter 0.1° S of Venus 3 14 14 Moon 0.3° N of Aldebaran 9 1 9 Annular solar eclipse 3 20 14 Neptune 0.5° N of Venus 9 2 22 Moon 0.4° N of Jupiter 3 23 20 Mercury superior conjunction 9 2 17 Neptune opposition Sun 3 23 12 Penumbral lunar eclipse 9 3 11 Moon 1° N of Venus 4 1 0 Mercury 0.6° N of Uranus 9 12 24 Mercury inferior conjunction 4 6 8 Moon 0.5° N of Venus 9 15 20 Moon 1° N of Neptune 4 9 4 Moon 0.02° N of Vesta 9 16 19 Penumbral lunar eclipse 4 9 21 Uranus conjunction Sun 9 26 7 Jupiter conjunction Sun 4 10 22 Moon 0.3° N of Aldebaran 9 28 19 Mercury greatest elongation W(18°) 4 18 5 Moon 2° S of Jupiter 9 29 11 Moon 0.7° S of Mercury 4 18 14 Mercury greatest elongation E(20°) 9 30 16 Moon 1° N of Jupiter 4 22 14 Venus 1° S of Uranus 10 7 - Draconids 4 22 - Lyrids 10 15 11 Uranus opposition Sun 4 27 3 Juno opposition Sun 10 19 7 Moon 0.3° N of Aldebaran 5 5 - Eta Aquarids 10 21 - Orionids 5 7 10 Moon 1° S of Vesta 10 21 5 Ceres opposition Sun 5 8 9 Moon 0.5° N of Aldebaran 10 27 16 Mercury superior conjunction 5 9 15 Mercury inferior conjunction 10 28 10 Moon 1.5° N of Jupiter 5 9 15 Transit of Mercury 10 31 19 Moon furthest apogee 5 13 21 Venus 0.4° N of Mercury 11 5 - Taurids 5 15 10 Moon 2° S of Jupiter 11 9 15 Moon 1° N of Neptune 5 22 11 Mars opposition Sun 11 14 11 Moon nearest perigee 6 3 10 Moon 1° S of Mercury 11 17 4 Leonids 6 3 7 Saturn opposition Sun 11 25 2 Moon 2° N of Jupiter 6 4 19 Moon 0.5° N of Aldebaran 12 6 22 Moon 0.5° N of Neptune 6 5 9 Mercury greatest elongation W(24°) 12 10 12 Saturn conjunction Sun 6 6 22 Venus superior conjunction 12 11 5 Mercury greatest elongation E(21°) 6 11 20 Moon 1.5° S of Jupiter 12 13 5 Moon 0.5° N of Aldebaran 6 26 1 Moon 1° N of Neptune 12 13 20 Geminids 12 28 19 Mercury inferior conjunction

Page 8: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

6 Visibility of Planets BAA Handbook 2016

VISIBILITY OF PLANETSThe diagrams on pp 7–8, drawn for latitudes N 52° and S 35° respectively, show the times for the risings and settings of the Sun and the planets. The beginning and end of astronomical twilight (Sun 18° below horizon) is also shown. The times are in Local Mean Time and are thus in GMT (= UT) for Greenwich.

Since dates change at midnight, the dates at the top differ by one day from those at the foot. Each vertical line, followed upwards, indicates the succession of phenomena in the course of one night.Thus, at latitude N 52° on the night of April 19-20, Mercury sets at 21h 05m, Venus rises only minutes before sunrise, Mars rises at 22h 40m, Jupiter sets at 03h 50m, Saturn rises at 23h 05m, Neptune rises at 03h 40m, Uranus rises as the Sun rises, Twilight ends at 21h 20m and begins at 02h 35m (Timings derived from diagram to nearest 5 minutes.)

The UT of any phenomenon seen from elsewhere than Greenwich may be obtained as follows:

1. For longitudes east of Greenwich, subtract the longitude, expressed as time. For longitudes west of Greenwich, add the longitude expressed as time. (One degree of longitude represents 4 minutes.) This applies both to rising and to setting times.

2. Correct for latitude using a value for Δh from the table below. Add Δh, for setting times and subtract Δh for rising times. The correction should be obtained by interpolating in both latitude and declination.

Δh TABLE Latitude Dec. Latitude N 58° N 55° N 50° N 40° N 30° N 20° 0° S 20° S 25° S 30° S 40° S 45° m m m m m m ° m m m m m m

+69 +29 –15 –70 –106 –134 29 +91 +45 +31 +17 –20 –43 +62 +26 –14 –66 –100 –127 28 +87 +43 +30 +16 –19 –41 +56 +24 –13 –62 –94 –120 27 +84 +41 +29 +15 –18 –39 +51 +22 –12 –58 –89 –114 26 +80 +39 +27 +14 –17 –37 +46 +20 –12 –54 –84 –107 25 +76 +37 +26 +14 –16 –35 +31 +14 –8 –40 –63 –81 20 +59 +29 +20 +11 –12 –26 +21 +10 –6 –28 –45 –58 15 +43 +21 +15 +8 –9 –19 +13 +6 –4 –18 –29 –37 10 +28 +14 +10 +5 –6 –12 +6 +3 –2 –9 –14 –18 5 +14 +7 +5 +2 –3 –6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

If Dec. is negative, reverse the sign of Δh.

Page 9: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Visibility of Planets 7

RIS

ING

AN

D S

ET

TIN

G O

F PL

AN

ET

S

Page 10: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

8 Visibility of Planets BAA Handbook 2016

RIS

ING

AN

D S

ET

TIN

G O

F PL

AN

ET

S

Page 11: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Eclipses 9

ECLIPSESDuring 2016 there will be two eclipses of the Sun and two of the Moon and a transit of Mercury. 1. A total eclipse of the Sun on March 9 is visible from Sumatra, Bangka Island, Palau Belitung, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi and North Maluku, Woleai Atoll, ending in the North Pacific Ocean. Partial phases are visible from Northern Australia, Papua, Papua New Guinea, China, and Alaska.

2. A penumbral eclipse of the Moon on March 23 is visible from North and South America at Moonset, and Eastern Asia at Moonrise. Eastern Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific will see the whole eclipse. Observers should be reminded that penumbral eclipses are not easy to observe.

3. On May 9 a transit of Mercury will be visible in its entirety from Britain, western Europe, eastern North America and most of South America. No part of the transit is visible from Australasia and Japan.

4. An annular eclipse of the Sun on September 1 starts in the Gulf of Guinea and is visible from land on Annobón Island, Central Southern Africa - Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique and into Madagascar ending in the southern Indian Ocean.

5. A penumbral eclipse of the Moon on September 16 is visible from Britain and Europe at Moonrise and visible in its entirety from Eastern Africa and the whole of Asia. Australasia will see it at Moonset.

Solar Eclipse Mailing ListThe solar eclipse community is very active and there is a plethora of websites devoted entirely to the subject. To keep up to date join the Solar Eclipse mailing list:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SEML/Useful eclipse websites include:For weather predictions try Jay Anderson's site: http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~jander/For general information try Xavier Jubier's site: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/index_en.html or Fred Espenak's: http://www.mreclipse.com/ http://astropixels.com/

Page 12: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

Greatest Eclipse = 01:58:19.5 TD ( = 01:57:11.4 UT1 )

Eclipse Magnitude = 1.0450

Saros Series= 130

Gamma = 0.2609

Saros Member = 52 of 73

N Sun at r rpatpat Fnlinse (Geocentric Coordinates)

00°16'06.5" -04°22'46.4"

00°0010 " 4

eirallh

eet

NI..

, R.A. = 23h19m17.6s

ifi

lS.4t9 dirfres sr we ke.

Moon at Greatest Eclipse (Geocentric Coordinates)

R.A. = 23h18m58.7s Dec. =-04°07'40.6" S.D. = 00°1633.6' H P = 01°00'46.2'

External/Internal Contorts of Pen imhra P1 = 23:19:20.3 UT1 P2 = 01:17:40.1 UT1 P3 = 02:36:29.9 UT1 P4 = 04:34:55.3 UT1

AT = 68.0 s

Frternal/Internat Contorts of I Imbra U1 = 00:15:57.3 UT1 U2 = 00:17:29.8 UT1 U3 = 03:36:45.0 UT1 U4 = 03:38:20.6 UT1

Eph. =JPL DE405

ECLIPSES

Total Solar Eclipse of 2016 Mar 09

Oirrnmstancac at Greatest FlIiiDSA' 01-57-11 4 UT1. Let. = 10°07.3'N Sun Alt. = 74.8°

Long. = 148°47.6'E Sun Azm. =162.5° Path Width = 155.1 km Duration = 04m09.5s

c:ircumstapcos at Graatast Duration' 01'56'51 9 UT1. Lat. = 10°04.0'N Sun Alt. = 74.8°

Long. =148°42.11E Sun Azm. = 161.8° Path Width = 155.1 km Duration = 04m09.5s

Itiil ,,.1,..1 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

101orneters

02015 F. Espenak www.EclipseWise.com

10 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2016 10 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2016

ECLIPSES

Page 13: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

ECLIPSES

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2016 Mar 23

Ecliptic

S Eclipse Contacts

P1 = 09:39:28 UT1 P4 = 13:54:54 UT1

Eclipse Durations Penumbral = 04h15m26s

Eph. = JPL DE405 Rule = Danjon

= 70 s

Earth's Umbra

Earth's Penumbra

15 30 45 60 J Arc-Minutes

©2015 F. Espenak, www.EclipseWise.com

Eclipses 11 BAA Handbook 2016

Greatest Eclipse = 11:48:22.1 TD (= 11:47:12.6 UT1)

Penumbral Magnitude = 0.7748 Umbra! Magnitude = -0.3118

Sun at GreatestEclipse (Geocentric Coordinates)

R.A. = 00h12m02.0s Dec. =+01°18'10.9" S.D. = 00°16'02.7" H.P. = 00°00'08.8"

Gamma = 1.1592 Saros Series = 142

Axis = 1.0469° Saros Member = 18 of 74

Moon at GreatestFclipse (Geocentric Coordinates)

R.A. = 12h13m18.6s Dec. = -00°1821.4" S.D. = 00°1446.0" H.P. = 00°54'11.6"

P1

Greatest

-w

N

60° N

30° N

a)

.110°

30° S

60° S

Eclipse at MoonSet

All Eclipse - Visible

BAA Handbook 2016 Eclipses 11

ECLIPSES

Page 14: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

12 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2016

ECLIPSES

Transit of Mercury - May 9

In the present epoch, transits of Mercury occur in May or November. May transits are roughly half as frequent as November transits and this is the last May transit until 2049. The dates of transits are drifting later in the year. In the early 1500s they were in April and October. The interval between May transits is 13 or 33 years, and November transit intervals are 7, 13, or 33 years. For May transits, Mercury has a diameter of 12" and occur at the descending node of Mercury’s orbit. For November transits, Mercury has a diameter of 10" and occur at the ascending node. May transits are less frequent than November transits because during a May transit, Mercury is near aphelion whereas during a November transit, it is near perihelion. Perihelion transits occur more frequently because Mercury moves faster in its orbit at perihe-lion and can reach the transit node more quickly, and at perihelion Mercury has less parallax as it is closer to the Sun. Previous Mercury transits were in May 2003 and November 2006, the next are November 2019 and November 2032. For reference, the next Venus transit is not until 11 December 2117.

The transit is visible in its entirety from the UK, western Europe, eastern North America, most of South America and western Africa. No part is visible from Australasia, Japan, and Indonesia.Times differ little throughout the world and even less from within the UK:

Location I II G III IV Duration

Geocentric 11:12:18 11:15:30 14:57:25 18:39:12 18:42:24 7h 30m 06s

London 11:12:23 11:15:35 14:56:17 18:37:21 18:40:33 7h 28m 10s

Glasgow 11:12:26 11:15:37 14:56:22 18:37:23 18:40:35 7h 28m 09s

Belfast 11:12:28 11:15:40 14:56:24 18:37:23 18:40:35 7h 28m 07s

Capetown 11:12:16 11:15:26 14:56:43 15:58* 4h 45m 30s

New York 11:13:31 11:16:44 14:57:53 18:38:11 18:41:23 7h 27m 51s

Rio de Janeiro 11:13:48 11:16:59 14:58:06 18:38:53 18:42:03 7h 28m 15s

Delhi 11:10:42 11:13:53 13:28* 2h 17m 17s

* Transit ends at sunsetAll times are UT (GMT)See diagram for positions of I, II, G, III and IV

Solar Semi-diameter : 15' 50.4"Mercury Semi-diameter : 0' 06.0"

Page 15: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Eclipses 13

Ecliptic

I II

Maximum

III IV

N

E

S

W

0 5 10 15Arc-Minutes

N

S

E W

P.A.

G GI III IIIII III

IV IV

Entire TransitVisible

Transit in Progressat Sunset

No TransitVisible

Transit in Progressat Sunrise

Mercury Transit of 2016 May 09Geocentric Diagram and Visibility Map

Greatest Transit: 14:57:24.8 UT J.D.: 2457518.123203

Constants

ΔT: 68.30s

Transit Geocentric Contacts

I: 11:12:18 UTC (83.2°)

II: 11:15:30 UTC (83.5°)

G: 14:57:25 UTC (153.8°)

III: 18:39:12 UTC (224.1°)

IV: 18:42:24 UTC (224.4°)

Geocentric Data

Minimum separation: 318.5”

General Duration: 07h30m05s

Central Duration: 07h23m43s

(http://xjubier.free.fr/)

Mercury Venus Transit Maestro - Xavier M. Jubier

ECLIPSES

Page 16: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

Greatest Eclipse = 09:08:02.0 TD ( = 09:06:53.8 UT1 )

Eclipse Magnitude = 0.9736 Gamma =-0.3330

San at ('reatest Frlinse (Geocentric Coordinates)

R.A. = 10h43m43.3s Dec. =+08°03'38.0" S.D. = 00'1551.0" H.P. = 00=0008.7"

Saros Series = 135 Sams Member = 39 of 71

Moon at Greatest Erliose (Geocentric Coordinates)

RA. = 10h43m22.2s

External/Internal Contacts of Penumbra

P1 = 06:13:08.2 UT1 P2 = 08:33:51.3 UT1 P3 = 09:39:36.5 UT1 P4 = 12:00:40.4 UT1

AT= 682a

Exif•mai/Interoal. Contacts of Umbra U1 = 07:17:49.5 UT1 U2 = 07:20:36.9 UT1 U3 = 10:53:00.4 UT1 U4 = 10:55:53.6 UT1

Eph. = JPL DE405

ECLIPSES

Annular Solar Eclipse of 2016 Sep 01

Circumstances at Greatest Eclipse' 09-0653 8 UT1. Lat. = 10°40.9S Sun Alt. = 70.5°

Long. = 037045.7E Sun Azm. = 16.4° Path Width = 99.7 km Duration = 03m05.6s

Circumstances at Greatest Duration' 09.05.096 UT1. Lat. = 10°25.9S Sun Alt. = 70.5°

Long. =037°20.7E Sun Azm. = 19.1° Path Width = 99.8 km Duration = 03m05.6s

02015 F. Espenak www.EclipseWise.com 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Kilometers

14 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2016 14 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2016

ECLIPSES

Page 17: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

P4

E

= 70 s ©2015 F. Espenak, www.EclipseWise.com

180° W 120° W 60° W 0° Longitude

60° E 120° E 180° E

Eclipses 15 BAA Handbook 2016

.1, P4

All Eclipse Eclipse a Visible Moonset

v ci21''

60° N

30° N

I 0"

30° S

60° S

ECLIPSES

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2016 Sep 16 Greatest Eclipse = 18:55:27.3 TD (= 18:54:17.5 UT1)

Penumbral Magnitude = 0.9080 Gamma = -1.0549 Saros Series = 147

Umbral Magnitude = -0.0635 Axis = 1.0568° Saros Member = 9 of 71

Sun at Greatest Eclipse (Geocentric Coordinates)

R.A. = 11h39m09.7s Dec. = +02°15'14.2" S.D. = 00°15'54.8" H.P. = 00°00'08.7"

Ecliptic

Moon at Gre_ate_st _Eclipse (Geocentric Coordinates)

R.A. = 23h40m27.3s Dec. = -03°15'36.5" S.D. = 00°1622.8" H.P. = 01°0006.8"

N

Earth's Penumbra

Earth's Umbra

_ w

Frlipse Durations Greatest I

Fclipse Contacts Penumbral = 03h59m21s P1 = 16:54:39 UT1

P1 P4 = 20:54:01 UT1

Eph. = JPL DE405 0 15 30 45 60

Rule = Danjon Arc-Minutes

BAA Handbook 2016 Eclipses 15

ECLIPSES

Page 18: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

16 Time BAA Handbook 2016

TIMEUniversal Time (UT, Greenwich Mean Time beginning at midnight) is used generally throughout the Handbook.

Terrestrial Time (TT) is the uniform time system used in computing the ephemerides of the bodies of the Solar System. TT is currently ahead of UT by a small amount ΔT which must be determined by observations; thus

TT = UT + ΔTThe value of ΔT for July 2016 is estimated to be about 68.8 seconds.

Greenwich Mean Astronomical Time (GMAT), or Greenwich Mean Time beginning at noon, was in use before 1925 January 1, and many astronomical records prior to that date are referred to this system. To convert UT to GMAT subtract 12 hours, and to convert GMAT to UT add 12 hours.

Greenwich Sidereal Time (GST) is given in the table below at 0h UT. It may be obtained with sufficient accuracy for setting the circles of a telescope at any other time by adding 3.94 minutes for every complete day after a tabulated date, together with the correction, ΔT, for parts of a day from the table which follows:

For greater accuracy (±0.2S) use the equation : GST (at 0h UT) = 6.607021h + 0.06570982h dwhere d is the number of days from January 0.The tabulated sidereal time is actually the mean sidereal time. The difference between mean and apparent sidereal time is never more than about 1.2 seconds.Local Sidereal Time (LST) and Local Hour Angle (LHA) are found from LST = GST + λ LHA = LST – RAWhere λ is the longitude, expressed in time, measured positive eastwards from Greenwich.The Julian Date, in which the day begins at noon, is used in accurate computing work and is given in the table on p.17.The Sun’s Longitude is used as a measure of time in meteor work. It may be interpolated from the table on p.17.

Time ΔT Time ΔT Time ΔT Time ΔT h m h m h m h m 0 00.0 m 5 46.9 m 11 52.2 m 17 57.4 m 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 0 18.2 6 23.5 12 28.7 18 33.9 0.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 0 54.7 7 00.0 13 05.3 19 10.5 0.2 1.2 2.2 3.2 1 31.3 7 36.5 13 41.7 19 47.0 0.3 1.3 2.3 3.3 2 07.8 8 13.0 14 18.3 20 23.5 0.4 1.4 2.4 3.4 2 44.3 8 49.6 14 54.8 21 00.0 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 3 20.8 9 26.1 15 31.3 21 36.6 0.6 1.6 2.6 3.6 3 57.4 10 02.6 16 07.8 22 13.1 0.7 1.7 2.7 3.7 4 33.9 10 39.1 16 44.4 22 49.6 0.8 1.8 2.8 3.8 5 10.4 11 15.6 17 20.9 23 26.1 0.9 1.9 2.9 3.9

Earth Rotation Angle : The angle, θ, measured along the equator of the Celestial Intermediate Pole (CIP) between the direction of the Celestial Intermediate Origin (CIO) and the Terrestrial Intermediate Origin (TIO). It is a linear function of UT1; its time derivative is the Earth's angular velocity. Equation Of Origins : The arc length, measured positively eastward, from the Celestial Intermediate Origin (CIO) to the equinox along the intermediate equator; alternatively the difference between the Earth Rotation Angle (ERA) and Greenwich Apparent Sidereal Time (GAST), (ERA - GAST).Details are given in the table on p.18.

Page 19: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Time 17

TIME Julian Sun's Long. Julian Sun's Long.2016 Date GST 2000.0 2016 Date GST 2000.0 2457 h m ° 2457 h m °Dec 29 385.5 6 28.54 276.93 Jul. 1 570.5 18 37.91 99.59 5.10 4.77Jan. 3 390.5 6 48.25 282.02 6 575.5 18 57.62 104.36 5.10 4.77 8 395.5 7 07.96 287.12 11 580.5 19 17.34 109.13 5.10 4.77 13 400.5 7 27.67 292.22 16 585.5 19 37.05 113.90 5.09 4.77 18 405.5 7 47.39 297.31 21 590.5 19 56.76 118.67 5.09 4.77 23 410.5 8 07.10 302.40 26 595.5 20 16.48 123.44 5.08 4.78 28 415.5 8 26.81 307.48 31 600.5 20 36.19 128.22 5.08 4.79Feb. 2 420.5 8 46.53 312.56 Aug. 5 605.5 20 55.90 133.01 5.07 4.79 7 425.5 9 06.24 317.63 10 610.5 21 15.61 137.80 5.06 4.80 12 430.5 9 25.95 322.69 15 615.5 21 35.33 142.60 5.05 4.81 17 435.5 9 45.66 327.75 20 620.5 21 55.04 147.41 5.04 4.82 22 440.5 10 05.38 332.79 25 625.5 22 14.75 152.22 5.03 4.83 27 445.5 10 25.09 337.82 30 630.5 22 34.47 157.05 5.02 4.84Mar. 3 450.5 10 44.80 342.84 Sep. 4 635.5 22 54.18 161.89 5.01 4.85 8 455.5 11 04.52 347.85 9 640.5 23 13.89 166.75 5.00 4.86 13 460.5 11 24.23 352.84 14 645.5 23 33.60 171.61 4.98 4.87 18 465.5 11 43.94 357.83 19 650.5 23 53.32 176.48 4.97 4.89 23 470.5 12 03.65 2.79 24 655.5 0 13.03 181.37 4.95 4.90 28 475.5 12 23.37 7.74 29 660.5 0 32.74 186.28 4.94 4.92Apr. 2 480.5 12 43.08 12.68 Oct. 4 665.5 0 52.45 191.20 4.93 4.93 7 485.5 13 02.79 17.61 9 670.5 1 12.17 196.13 4.91 4.95 12 490.5 13 22.50 22.52 14 675.5 1 31.88 201.07 4.90 4.96 17 495.5 13 42.22 27.42 19 680.5 1 51.59 206.03 4.88 4.97 22 500.5 14 01.93 32.30 24 685.5 2 11.31 211.01 4.87 4.99 27 505.5 14 21.64 37.17 29 690.5 2 31.02 215.99 4.86 5.00May 2 510.5 14 41.36 42.02 Nov. 3 695.5 2 50.73 221.00 4.85 5.01 7 515.5 15 01.07 46.87 8 700.5 3 10.44 226.01 4.84 5.02 12 520.5 15 20.78 51.70 13 705.5 3 30.16 231.04 4.82 5.04 17 525.5 15 40.49 56.53 18 710.5 3 49.87 236.07 4.81 5.05 22 530.5 16 00.21 61.34 23 715.5 4 09.58 241.12 4.80 5.06 27 535.5 16 19.92 66.14 28 720.5 4 29.30 246.18 4.80 5.07Jun. 1 540.5 16 39.63 70.94 Dec. 3 725.5 4 49.01 251.25 4.79 5.08 6 545.5 16 59.35 75.73 8 730.5 5 08.72 256.32 4.78 5.08 11 550.5 17 19.06 80.51 13 735.5 5 28.44 261.41 4.78 5.09 16 555.5 17 38.77 85.29 18 740.5 5 48.15 266.49 4.77 5.09 21 560.5 17 58.49 90.06 23 745.5 6 07.86 271.58 4.77 5.10 26 565.5 18 18.20 94.83 28 750.5 6 27.57 276.68 4.77

The precession in longitude from 2000.0 to 2016.0 is +0.22° and from 2000.0 to 1950.0 is –0.70°.

Page 20: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

18 Earth BAA Handbook 2016

EARTH Perihelion Jan. 02d 22h 49m (147,100,176 km, 0.983303941 au) Aphelion Jul. 04d 16h 24m (152,103,776 km, 1.016750939 au) Equinoxes Mar 20d 04h 30m Sep 22d 14h 21m

Solstices Jun 20d 22h 34m Dec 21d 10h 44m

Obliquity 2000.0 23.43929° 2016.0 23.43720°

EARTH ROTATION ANGLE2016 UT1

0h Earth Rotation Angle

Equation of Origins

Earth Rotation Angle

Equation of Origins

° ' " ' " ° ' " ' "Dec. 29 96 55 45.0730 -12 16.8522 Jul. 1 279 16 2.8569 -12 37.2171Jan. 3 101 51 26.0942 -12 17.3137 6 284 11 43.8781 -12 38.3342

8 106 47 7.1154 -12 18.0931 11 289 7 24.8993 -12 38.838413 111 42 48.1366 -12 19.0566 16 294 3 5.9204 -12 39.389318 116 38 29.1578 -12 19.4729 21 298 58 46.9416 -12 40.336223 121 34 10.1790 -12 20.4528 26 303 54 27.9628 -12 40.718728 126 29 51.2001 -12 21.0203 31 308 50 8.9840 -12 41.4806

Feb. 2 131 25 32.2213 -12 21.3654 Aug. 5 313 45 50.0052 -12 42.19987 136 21 13.2425 -12 22.2189 10 318 41 31.0264 -12 42.4199

12 141 16 54.2637 -12 22.6085 15 323 37 12.0476 -12 43.102017 146 12 35.2849 -12 23.1113 20 328 32 53.0687 -12 43.627622 151 8 16.3061 -12 23.7898 25 333 28 34.0899 -12 43.882227 156 3 57.3272 -12 23.8891 30 338 24 15.1111 -12 44.6568

Mar. 3 160 59 38.3484 -12 24.3247 Sep. 4 343 19 56.1323 -12 44.81348 165 55 19.3696 -12 24.9021 9 348 15 37.1535 -12 45.0853

13 170 51 0.3908 -12 24.9991 14 353 11 18.1747 -12 45.713118 175 46 41.4120 -12 25.6801 19 358 6 59.1959 -12 45.798923 180 42 22.4332 -12 25.8883 24 3 2 40.2170 -12 46.382328 185 38 3.4544 -12 26.0124 29 7 58 21.2382 -12 46.7923

Apr. 2 190 33 44.4755 -12 26.6406 Oct. 4 12 54 2.2594 -12 46.84097 195 29 25.4967 -12 26.8552 9 17 49 43.2806 -12 47.3979

12 200 25 6.5179 -12 27.3488 14 22 45 24.3018 -12 47.797017 205 20 47.5391 -12 27.9540 19 27 41 5.3230 -12 48.077822 210 16 28.5603 -12 28.0696 24 32 36 46.3442 -12 48.887427 215 12 9.5815 -12 28.6343 29 37 32 27.3653 -12 49.0812

May 2 220 7 50.6027 -12 29.2865 Nov. 3 42 28 8.3865 -12 49.53957 225 3 31.6238 -12 29.5791 8 47 23 49.4077 -12 50.3195

12 229 59 12.6450 -12 30.5505 13 52 19 30.4289 -12 50.626317 234 54 53.6662 -12 30.9767 18 57 15 11.4501 -12 51.570222 239 50 34.6874 -12 31.4393 23 62 10 52.4713 -12 52.252627 244 46 15.7086 -12 32.3783 28 67 6 33.4925 -12 52.6662

Jun. 1 249 41 56.7298 -12 32.8573 Dec. 3 72 2 14.5136 -12 53.60976 254 37 37.7510 -12 33.6976 8 76 57 55.5348 -12 54.3042

11 259 33 18.7721 -12 34.6112 13 81 53 36.5560 -12 54.947216 264 28 59.7933 -12 35.0175 18 86 49 17.5772 -12 56.132721 269 24 40.8145 -12 35.9024 23 91 44 58.5984 -12 56.616326 274 20 21.8357 -12 36.7264 28 96 40 39.6196 -12 57.4013

Note: See page 16 for definitions.

Page 21: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Sun 19

SUNThe tables on p.20–21 give the apparent RA, Dec. and diameter of the Sun, the UT of transit across the Greenwich meridian, and P, B0, L0 where

P is the position angle of the N end of the axis of rotation. It is positive when east of the north point of the disk, negative if west; B0 is the heliographic latitude of the centre of the disk; L0 is the heliographic longitude of the centre of the disk.

Decrease of L0 with Time h m º h m º h m º h m º h º

0 00 0.0 1 43 1.0 3 32 2.0 5 21 3.0 6 3.3 05 0.1 54 1.1 43 2.1 32 3.1 8 4.4 16 0.2 2 05 1.2 54 2.2 43 3.2 10 5.5 27 0.3 16 1.3 4 05 2.3 54 3.3 12 6.6 38 0.4 27 1.4 16 2.4 6 05 3.4 14 7.7 49 0.5 38 1.5 27 2.5 16 3.5 16 8.8 1 00 0.6 49 1.6 38 2.6 27 3.6 18 9.9 10 0.7 3 00 1.7 49 2.7 38 3.7 20 11.0 21 0.8 10 l.8 5 00 2.8 49 3.8 22 12.1 32 0.9 21 1.9 10 2.9 7 00 3.9 24 13.2 43 1.0 32 2.0 21 3.0 10 4.0

The heliographic longitude and latitude of a spot may be conveniently estimated by the method described in J. Br. Astron. Assoc., 53, 63 (1943).

The dates of commencement of the synodic rotations, in continuation of Carrington’s (Greenwich Photo–Heliographic) series, are as follows: Rotation Begins Rotation Begins Rotation Begins d d d 2173 Jan 21.82 2174 Feb 18.16 2175 Mar 16.49 2176 Apr 12.78 2177 May 10.03 2178 Jun 6.24 2179 Jul 3.44 2180 Jul 30.64 2181 Aug 26.88 2182 Sep 23.14 2183 Oct 20.42 2184 Nov 16.73 2185 Dec 14.04

At the date of commencement of each synodic rotation period the value of L0 is zero; that is, the prime meridian passes through the central point of the disk.The sidereal period of rotation of the Sun used in physical ephemerides is 25.38 mean solar days, after Carrington; the mean synodic rotation period is 27.2753d

Page 22: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

20 Sun BAA Handbook 2016

SUN

2016 RA Dec. Diam. Transit P B0 L0 h m ° ' ' " h m ° ° °Dec 29 18 30.2 -23 15 32 32 12 03 +3.8 -2.6 313.8

Jan 3 18 52.3 -22 54 32 32 12 05 +1.4 -3.2 247.9 8 19 14.2 -22 20 32 32 12 07 -1.1 -3.7 182.1 13 19 36.0 -21 36 32 31 12 09 -3.5 -4.3 116.3 18 19 57.5 -20 42 32 31 12 11 -5.8 -4.8 50.4 23 20 18.7 -19 37 32 30 12 13 -8.1 -5.3 344.6 28 20 39.5 -18 24 32 29 12 14 -10.3 -5.7 278.8

Feb 2 21 0.1 -17 02 32 28 12 15 -12.3 -6.1 212.9 7 21 20.3 -15 33 32 26 12 15 -14.3 -6.4 147.1 12 21 40.2 -13 57 32 25 12 15 -16.1 -6.7 81.3 17 21 59.7 -12 15 32 23 12 15 -17.9 -6.9 15.4 22 22 19.0 -10 29 32 21 12 15 -19.4 -7.1 309.6 27 22 38.0 -8 38 32 18 12 14 -20.8 -7.2 243.7

Mar 3 22 56.7 -6 44 32 16 12 13 -22.1 -7.2 177.9 8 23 15.3 -4 48 32 13 12 12 -23.2 -7.3 112.0 13 23 33.7 -2 51 32 11 12 10 -24.1 -7.2 46.1 18 23 52.0 -0 52 32 8 12 09 -24.9 -7.1 340.2 23 0 10.2 +1 06 32 6 12 07 -25.5 -6.9 274.3 28 0 28.4 +3 04 32 3 12 06 -26.0 -6.7 208.3

Apr 2 0 46.7 +5 00 32 0 12 04 -26.2 -6.5 142.4 7 1 4.9 +6 54 31 57 12 03 -26.3 -6.2 76.4 12 1 23.3 +8 46 31 55 12 02 -26.2 -5.8 10.4 17 1 41.8 +10 33 31 52 12 00 -25.9 -5.4 304.4 22 2 0.4 +12 16 31 49 11 59 -25.4 -5.0 238.3 27 2 19.3 +13 54 31 47 11 59 -24.7 -4.5 172.3

May 2 2 38.3 +15 26 31 44 11 58 -23.9 -4.0 106.2 7 2 57.6 +16 52 31 42 11 57 -22.9 -3.5 40.1 12 3 17.1 +18 11 31 40 11 57 -21.7 -3.0 334.0 17 3 36.9 +19 22 31 38 11 57 -20.3 -2.4 267.9 22 3 56.9 +20 25 31 36 11 58 -18.8 -1.8 201.7 27 4 17.0 +21 20 31 34 11 58 -17.1 -1.2 135.6

Jun 1 4 37.4 +22 05 31 33 11 59 -15.3 -0.6 69.4 6 4 58.0 +22 40 31 31 12 00 -13.4 +0.0 3.3 11 5 18.7 +23 06 31 30 12 01 -11.3 +0.6 297.1 16 5 39.5 +23 21 31 29 12 02 -9.2 +1.2 230.9 21 6 0.2 +23 26 31 29 12 03 -7.0 +1.8 164.7 26 6 21.0 +23 21 31 28 12 04 -4.8 +2.3 98.5

Page 23: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Sun 21

SUN

2016 RA Dec. Diam. Transit P B0 L0 h m ° ' ' " h m ° ° °Jul 1 6 41.7 +23 05 31 28 12 05 -2.5 +2.9 32.3 6 7 2.4 +22 39 31 28 12 06 -0.3 +3.4 326.2 11 7 22.8 +22 04 31 28 12 07 +2.0 +4.0 260.0 16 7 43.1 +21 19 31 28 12 07 +4.2 +4.5 193.8 21 8 3.2 +20 25 31 29 12 07 +6.4 +4.9 127.7 26 8 23.0 +19 23 31 30 12 07 +8.5 +5.3 61.5 31 8 42.6 +18 12 31 31 12 07 +10.6 +5.7 355.4

Aug 5 9 1.9 +16 54 31 32 12 07 +12.5 +6.1 289.3 10 9 21.0 +15 30 31 33 12 06 +14.4 +6.4 223.1 15 9 39.8 +13 59 31 35 12 05 +16.1 +6.7 157.0 20 9 58.4 +12 22 31 37 12 04 +17.7 +6.9 91.0 25 10 16.8 +10 41 31 39 12 03 +19.3 +7.0 24.9 30 10 35.1 +8 55 31 41 12 01 +20.6 +7.2 318.8

Sep 4 10 53.2 +7 06 31 43 12 00 +21.9 +7.2 252.8 9 11 11.2 +5 14 31 46 11 58 +23.0 +7.3 186.8 14 11 29.2 +3 20 31 48 11 56 +23.9 +7.2 120.7 19 11 47.1 +1 24 31 51 11 55 +24.7 +7.1 54.7 24 12 5.0 -0 33 31 53 11 53 +25.4 +7.0 348.7 29 12 23.0 -2 30 31 56 11 51 +25.8 +6.8 282.7

Oct 4 12 41.2 -4 26 31 59 11 50 +26.1 +6.6 216.8 9 12 59.4 -6 21 32 2 11 48 +26.3 +6.3 150.8 14 13 17.9 -8 13 32 4 11 47 +26.2 +5.9 84.8 19 13 36.6 -10 03 32 7 11 46 +26.0 +5.6 18.9 24 13 55.5 -11 49 32 10 11 45 +25.5 +5.1 312.9 29 14 14.7 -13 31 32 12 11 45 +24.9 +4.7 247.0

Nov 3 14 34.3 -15 07 32 15 11 45 +24.1 +4.2 181.1 8 14 54.2 -16 38 32 17 11 45 +23.0 +3.6 115.1 13 15 14.4 -18 01 32 20 11 45 +21.8 +3.1 49.2 18 15 35.0 -19 16 32 22 11 46 +20.4 +2.5 343.3 23 15 56.0 -20 23 32 24 11 47 +18.8 +1.9 277.4 28 16 17.2 -21 20 32 25 11 49 +17.1 +1.2 211.5

Dec 3 16 38.8 -22 07 32 27 11 51 +15.2 +0.6 145.6 8 17 0.6 -22 44 32 28 11 53 +13.1 +0.0 79.7 13 17 22.6 -23 09 32 30 11 55 +10.9 -0.7 13.8 18 17 44.7 -23 23 32 31 11 58 +8.7 -1.3 308.0 23 18 6.9 -23 26 32 31 12 00 +6.3 -1.9 242.1 28 18 29.1 -23 16 32 32 12 03 +3.9 -2.6 176.2

Jan 2 18 51.2 -22 55 32 32 12 05 +1.5 -3.2 110.4

Page 24: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

22 Lunar BAA Handbook 2016

LUNAR LIBRATION

The libration data are given in two forms: as a size and position angle (P); and as the selenographic longitude and latitude of the centre of the disk.The position angle identifies the point on the edge of the disk most displaced towards the centre of the disk from its mean position and is measured from the North point of the disk (NOT the North Pole of the Moon, which usually does not coincide with the North point of the disk) anticlockwise through celestial East, as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 N, E, S and W are directions in the sky.Selenographic longitude and latitude are analogous to geographic longitude and latitude, with latitudes of +90º and –90º identifying the Moon's North and South Poles, around which the Moon rotates. Positive longitudes are in the Moon's Eastern hemisphere and negative longitudes in the Moon's Western hemisphere, as shown in Fig. 2 for the case of zero libration. For zero libration the selenographic longitude and latitude of the centre of the disk are both 0º.Note that the Eastern hemisphere (positive selenographic longitude) of the Moon in Fig. 2 roughly corresponds to the Western side (in terms of sky direction) of the disk in Fig. 1.

Maximum Minimum Date Size P Sel Lon Sel Lat Date Size P Sel Lon Sel Lat d º º º º d º º º º Jan. 8.32 8.3 144 –5.1 –6.6 Jan. 1.72 1.6 249 1.1 –1.2 Jan. 21.86 8.0 327 4.6 6.5 Jan. 14.96 0.9 35 –0.8 0.5 Feb. 4.83 9.1 138 –6.2 –6.7 Jan. 28.81 1.6 251 1.1 –1.1 Feb. 17.77 8.7 321 5.5 6.7 Feb. 11.16 0.8 28 –0.7 0.5 Mar. 3.64 9.8 132 –7.1 –6.7 Feb. 25.06 1.7 253 1.2 –1.1 Mar. 16.19 9.5 316 6.7 6.7 Mar. 9.96 1.7 19 –1.2 1.2 Mar. 31.51 9.9 126 –7.5 –6.5 Mar. 23.55 2.1 251 1.5 –1.4 Apr. 13.01 9.8 316 7.4 6.4 Apr. 6.99 3.0 16 –1.9 2.3 Apr. 28.11 9.2 125 –6.9 –6.1 Apr. 20.17 2.8 249 1.9 –2.0 May 10.93 9.3 317 7.2 5.9 May 4.96 4.1 16 –2.6 3.2 May 24.99 8.2 133 –5.5 –6.1 May 17.76 3.5 246 2.3 –2.6 Jun. 7.61 8.3 320 6.3 5.5 Jun. 1.29 4.8 23 –3.4 3.3 Jun. 20.59 7.7 145 –4.3 –6.3 Jun. 14.15 4.0 246 2.7 –3.0 Jul. 4.55 7.5 327 4.8 5.8 Jun. 27.40 4.3 40 –3.9 1.8 Jul. 17.65 7.7 148 –4.1 –6.5 Jul. 11.23 4.2 250 3.0 –2.9 Jul. 31.00 7.4 331 3.7 6.4 Jul. 24.20 3.2 40 –2.9 1.4 Aug. 14.16 8.0 144 –4.7 –6.5 Aug. 7.11 4.1 256 3.2 –2.5 Aug. 27.08 8.0 325 4.6 6.5 Aug. 20.57 2.9 31 –2.4 1.6 Sep. 11.03 8.4 135 –5.6 –6.3 Sep. 3.26 4.0 259 3.3 –2.4 Sep. 23.66 8.8 318 6.1 6.3 Sep. 17.39 3.5 22 –2.6 2.4 Oct. 9.16 8.5 124 –6.4 –5.6 Sep. 30.86 4.4 255 3.3 –2.8 Oct. 21.68 9.1 315 7.3 5.6 Oct. 15.60 4.6 15 –2.9 3.6 Nov. 6.48 8.0 110 –6.8 –4.4 Oct. 28.77 5.0 247 3.5 –3.7 Nov. 19.01 8.8 312 7.7 4.3 Nov. 13.15 5.8 7 –2.8 5.1 Dec. 2.84 7.0 127 –5.0 –5.0 Nov. 25.81 5.8 239 3.4 –4.7 Dec. 7.50 7.1 56 –7.0 1.1 Dec. 4.26 7.0 104 –6.1 –3.5 Dec. 17.67 7.7 306 7.3 2.3 Dec. 12.46 6.5 354 –0.8 6.5 Dec. 27.57 6.7 171 –1.6 –6.5 Dec. 23.70 6.3 232 3.2 –5.4

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Page 25: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar 23

1. For a moonrise, R1, use the previous moonset, S0, and the following moonset, S2. Forma = –2R1+S0+S2+8m

2. For a moonset, S1, use the previous moonrise, R0, and the following moonrise, R2. Form

a = 2S1–R0–R2+8m

3. Enter the table on the right with argument a and obtain the Moon’s Dec., by mental interpolation, to 0.1º.

4. Enter the table on p.6 with this Dec. and the required latitude to obtain Δh.

5. Moonrise for required latitude = R1 – 1.04 Δh. Moonset for required latitude = S1 + 1.04 Δh. The accuracy of the times so derived is ±3m.The times thus found are for longitude 0º. For other longitudes it is necessary to calculate the times of the previous (following) similar phenomenon at the standard latitude if the observer is east (west) of Greenwich and then interpolate them to the observer’s longitude.These calculations are most conveniently carried out using a spreadsheet or suitable applet. Observers are referred to the BAA's Computing Section webpage for support in doing these calculations:

http://britastro.org/computing/applets_moonrts.html

MOON

On the four following pages are given the times (UT) of moonrise and moonset for longi-tude 0°, in the standard latitudes of N 52° and S 35°. Observers in most other latitudes can determine approximate times using the following method, where the times of moonrise and moonset are for the standard latitude in the same hemisphere as the observer. The basis of the method is given in J. Br. Astron. Assoc., 86, 416 (1976).

N 52° S 35° a Dec. a

h m ° h m 0 00 0 0 00 0 21 1 0 12 0 42 2 0 23 1 03 3 0 35 1 25 4 0 46 1 46 5 0 58 2 07 6 1 10 2 29 7 1 21 2 51 8 1 33 3 13 9 1 45 3 35 10 1 57 3 58 11 2 09 4 20 12 2 21 4 44 13 2 33 5 07 14 2 46 5 31 15 2 58 5 56 16 3 11 6 21 17 3 24 6 46 18 3 37 7 12 19 3 51 7 39 20 4 04 8 07 21 4 18 8 35 22 4 32 9 05 23 4 46 9 36 24 5 01 10 08 25 5 16 10 41 26 5 31 11 16 27 5 47 11 53 28 6 03 12 31 29 6 20samesignas a

oppsignto a

Dec} {

MOONRISE AND MOONSET

PHASES OF THE MOON New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter d h m d h m d h m d h m Jan. 2 05 30Jan. 10 01 31 Jan. 16 23 26 Jan. 24 01 46 Feb. 1 03 28Feb. 8 14 39 Feb. 15 07 46 Feb. 22 18 20 Mar. 1 23 11Mar. 9 01 54 Mar. 15 17 03 Mar. 23 12 01 Mar. 31 15 17Apr. 7 11 24 Apr. 14 03 59 Apr. 22 05 24 Apr. 30 03 29May 6 19 30 May 13 17 02 May 21 21 14 May 29 12 12Jun. 5 03 00 Jun. 12 08 10 Jun. 20 11 02 Jun. 27 18 19Jul. 4 11 01 Jul. 12 00 52 Jul. 19 22 57 Jul. 26 23 00Aug. 2 20 45 Aug. 10 18 21 Aug. 18 09 27 Aug. 25 03 41Sep. 1 09 03 Sep. 9 11 49 Sep. 16 19 05 Sep. 23 09 56Oct. 1 00 11 Oct. 9 04 33 Oct. 16 04 23 Oct. 22 19 14Oct. 30 17 38 Nov. 7 19 51 Nov. 14 13 52 Nov. 21 08 33Nov. 29 12 18 Dec. 7 09 03 Dec. 14 00 06 Dec. 21 01 56Dec. 29 06 53

APSIDES PERIGEE APOGEE Date Diam. Date Diam. Date Diam. Date Diam. d h ' " d h ' " d h ' " d h ' "Jan. 15 02 32 20 Jul. 27 12 32 19 Jan. 2 12 30 33 Jul. 13 05 30 33Feb. 11 03 33 48 Aug. 22 01 33 33 Jan. 30 09 30 32 Aug. 10 00 30 34Mar. 10 07 33 14 Sep. 18 17 33 01 Feb. 27 03 29 29 Sep. 6 19 30 30Apr. 7 18 33 27 Oct. 16 24 33 23 Mar. 25 14 29 25 Oct. 4 11 29 25May 6 04 33 24 Nov. 14 11 34 31 Apr. 21 16 29 24 Oct. 31 19 29 23Jun. 3 11 33 05 Dec. 12 23 33 20 May 18 22 29 26 Nov. 27 20 29 24Jul. 1 07 33 39 Jun. 15 12 30 30 Dec. 25 06 29 26

Page 26: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

24 Lunar BAA Handbook 2016

MOONRISE AND MOONSET MOONRISE AND MOONSET

LATITUDE N 52º LATITUDE N 52º

January February March April May June July August September October November December Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Day h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m

1 ––:–– 11:25 00:54 11:06 00:43 10:10 02:09 11:18 02:02 12:28 02:00 15:18 01:38 16:52 02:54 18:39 05:09 18:49 06:15 18:03 08:17 17:52 09:02 17:50 2 00:01 11:48 01:56 11:37 01:42 10:50 02:51 12:23 02:33 13:43 02:30 16:38 02:20 18:03 03:59 19:19 06:16 19:13 07:19 18:27 09:17 18:27 09:50 18:42 3 01:04 12:11 02:57 12:13 02:38 11:36 03:29 13:34 03:02 15:02 03:04 17:58 03:09 19:06 05:08 19:53 07:22 19:37 08:22 18:52 10:12 19:07 10:33 19:40 4 02:07 12:36 03:56 12:57 03:30 12:31 04:03 14:50 03:31 16:22 03:43 19:13 04:06 20:01 06:16 20:21 08:27 20:00 09:24 19:20 11:04 19:54 11:11 20:43 5 03:09 13:05 04:51 13:49 04:16 13:35 04:34 16:10 04:01 17:45 04:29 20:22 05:10 20:45 07:25 20:47 09:30 20:24 10:24 19:51 11:50 20:48 11:43 21:50

6 04:12 13:39 05:42 14:49 04:58 14:45 05:04 17:31 04:33 19:06 05:23 21:21 06:18 21:22 08:31 21:10 10:33 20:50 11:22 20:28 12:31 21:48 12:13 23:00 7 05:13 14:19 06:27 15:58 05:34 16:01 05:34 18:54 05:11 20:25 06:25 22:11 07:27 21:53 09:36 21:33 11:34 21:19 12:17 21:11 13:07 22:53 12:40 ––:–– 8 06:12 15:08 07:06 17:12 06:07 17:20 06:06 20:17 05:54 21:37 07:31 22:51 08:35 22:20 10:40 21:56 12:34 21:53 13:07 22:01 13:40 ––:–– 13:06 00:13 9 07:05 16:04 07:40 18:30 06:38 18:42 06:41 21:36 06:45 22:40 08:39 23:24 09:42 22:44 11:43 22:21 13:31 22:32 13:52 22:58 14:09 00:03 13:33 01:28 10 07:52 17:09 08:11 19:49 07:08 20:03 07:21 22:50 07:42 23:33 09:46 23:52 10:47 23:07 12:45 22:48 14:25 23:19 14:32 ––:–– 14:37 01:17 14:01 02:46

11 08:34 18:20 08:41 21:08 07:39 21:24 08:07 23:56 08:45 ––:–– 10:53 ––:–– 11:51 23:29 13:46 23:20 15:14 ––:–– 15:08 00:02 15:04 02:34 14:34 04:06 12 09:09 19:34 09:09 22:27 08:11 22:43 08:59 ––:–– 09:50 00:17 11:58 00:17 12:54 23:53 14:46 23:56 15:58 00:13 15:40 01:12 15:33 03:53 15:13 05:27 13 09:41 20:50 09:39 23:44 08:47 23:57 09:57 00:52 10:56 00:52 13:02 00:40 13:57 ––:–– 15:43 ––:–– 16:37 01:15 16:10 02:26 16:05 05:15 15:59 06:45 14 10:10 22:07 10:12 ––:–– 09:28 ––:–– 10:59 01:39 12:02 01:22 14:05 01:02 14:59 00:19 16:35 00:39 17:12 02:24 16:38 03:44 16:42 06:38 16:55 07:57 15 10:37 23:24 10:48 00:58 10:15 01:05 12:03 02:17 13:06 01:48 15:07 01:25 16:00 00:47 17:23 01:30 17:43 03:37 17:08 05:04 17:26 07:59 17:58 08:59

16 11:05 ––:–– 11:29 02:08 11:07 02:05 13:07 02:50 14:10 02:12 16:10 01:49 16:59 01:21 18:05 02:29 18:13 04:54 17:39 06:26 18:17 09:13 19:08 09:50 17 11:35 00:40 12:17 03:12 12:05 02:56 14:12 03:18 15:13 02:34 17:12 02:16 17:55 02:01 18:43 03:35 18:42 06:14 18:13 07:49 19:16 10:19 20:19 10:31 18 12:08 01:55 13:12 04:09 13:07 03:39 15:15 03:42 16:15 02:56 18:12 02:47 18:45 02:48 19:15 04:47 19:11 07:34 18:53 09:09 20:22 11:13 21:30 11:05 19 12:46 03:08 14:11 04:57 14:11 04:15 16:18 04:06 17:18 03:20 19:10 03:23 19:31 03:43 19:45 06:02 19:43 08:55 19:39 10:25 21:30 11:57 22:39 11:33 20 13:30 04:17 15:14 05:38 15:15 04:46 17:21 04:28 18:20 03:45 20:03 04:06 20:10 04:45 20:14 07:19 20:19 10:14 20:33 11:33 22:39 12:33 23:46 11:58

21 14:21 05:19 16:19 06:13 16:19 05:13 18:24 04:51 19:21 04:13 20:51 04:56 20:44 05:53 20:42 08:37 21:00 11:30 21:33 12:30 23:47 13:03 ––:–– 12:21 22 15:18 06:14 17:24 06:43 17:23 05:37 19:26 05:15 20:20 04:46 21:33 05:53 21:15 07:05 21:11 09:55 21:47 12:40 22:37 13:18 ––:–– 13:29 00:51 12:43 23 16:21 07:01 18:29 07:09 18:27 06:00 20:28 05:41 21:16 05:25 22:09 06:57 21:43 08:19 21:43 11:13 22:41 13:41 23:44 13:58 00:53 13:53 01:55 13:06 24 17:26 07:40 19:33 07:33 19:29 06:23 21:28 06:11 22:06 06:10 22:41 08:05 22:10 09:35 22:19 12:28 23:41 14:34 ––:–– 14:30 01:58 14:15 02:58 13:30 25 18:32 08:12 20:37 07:56 20:32 06:46 22:25 06:46 22:51 07:02 23:10 09:17 22:38 10:51 23:01 13:40 ––:–– 15:18 00:50 14:58 03:02 14:37 04:01 13:57

26 19:38 08:41 21:39 08:19 21:34 07:11 23:18 07:26 23:31 08:01 23:38 10:30 23:07 12:07 23:50 14:47 00:46 15:55 01:57 15:23 04:06 15:00 05:02 14:28 27 20:43 09:06 22:41 08:42 22:34 07:39 ––:–– 08:14 ––:–– 09:06 ––:–– 11:46 23:40 13:24 ––:–– 15:45 01:52 16:26 03:02 15:46 05:08 15:26 06:01 15:04 28 21:46 09:29 23:43 09:08 23:33 08:10 00:07 09:08 00:05 10:15 00:04 13:02 ––:–– 14:38 00:46 16:35 02:59 16:53 04:07 16:08 06:10 15:54 06:57 15:47 29 22:49 09:52 ––:–– 09:37 ––:–– 08:47 00:50 10:09 00:36 11:27 00:32 14:19 00:18 15:49 01:48 17:17 04:05 17:17 05:11 16:31 07:10 16:27 07:48 16:36 30 23:52 10:15 00:30 09:29 01:28 11:16 01:05 12:42 01:03 15:36 01:02 16:54 02:54 17:53 05:11 17:40 06:14 16:55 08:08 17:05 08:33 17:32

31 ––:–– 10:39 01:22 10:20 01:32 13:59 01:55 17:51 04:02 18:23 07:16 17:22

Page 27: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar 25

MOONRISE AND MOONSET MOONRISE AND MOONSET

LATITUDE N 52º LATITUDE N 52º

January February March April May June July August September October November December Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Day h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m

1 ––:–– 11:25 00:54 11:06 00:43 10:10 02:09 11:18 02:02 12:28 02:00 15:18 01:38 16:52 02:54 18:39 05:09 18:49 06:15 18:03 08:17 17:52 09:02 17:50 2 00:01 11:48 01:56 11:37 01:42 10:50 02:51 12:23 02:33 13:43 02:30 16:38 02:20 18:03 03:59 19:19 06:16 19:13 07:19 18:27 09:17 18:27 09:50 18:42 3 01:04 12:11 02:57 12:13 02:38 11:36 03:29 13:34 03:02 15:02 03:04 17:58 03:09 19:06 05:08 19:53 07:22 19:37 08:22 18:52 10:12 19:07 10:33 19:40 4 02:07 12:36 03:56 12:57 03:30 12:31 04:03 14:50 03:31 16:22 03:43 19:13 04:06 20:01 06:16 20:21 08:27 20:00 09:24 19:20 11:04 19:54 11:11 20:43 5 03:09 13:05 04:51 13:49 04:16 13:35 04:34 16:10 04:01 17:45 04:29 20:22 05:10 20:45 07:25 20:47 09:30 20:24 10:24 19:51 11:50 20:48 11:43 21:50

6 04:12 13:39 05:42 14:49 04:58 14:45 05:04 17:31 04:33 19:06 05:23 21:21 06:18 21:22 08:31 21:10 10:33 20:50 11:22 20:28 12:31 21:48 12:13 23:00 7 05:13 14:19 06:27 15:58 05:34 16:01 05:34 18:54 05:11 20:25 06:25 22:11 07:27 21:53 09:36 21:33 11:34 21:19 12:17 21:11 13:07 22:53 12:40 ––:–– 8 06:12 15:08 07:06 17:12 06:07 17:20 06:06 20:17 05:54 21:37 07:31 22:51 08:35 22:20 10:40 21:56 12:34 21:53 13:07 22:01 13:40 ––:–– 13:06 00:13 9 07:05 16:04 07:40 18:30 06:38 18:42 06:41 21:36 06:45 22:40 08:39 23:24 09:42 22:44 11:43 22:21 13:31 22:32 13:52 22:58 14:09 00:03 13:33 01:28 10 07:52 17:09 08:11 19:49 07:08 20:03 07:21 22:50 07:42 23:33 09:46 23:52 10:47 23:07 12:45 22:48 14:25 23:19 14:32 ––:–– 14:37 01:17 14:01 02:46

11 08:34 18:20 08:41 21:08 07:39 21:24 08:07 23:56 08:45 ––:–– 10:53 ––:–– 11:51 23:29 13:46 23:20 15:14 ––:–– 15:08 00:02 15:04 02:34 14:34 04:06 12 09:09 19:34 09:09 22:27 08:11 22:43 08:59 ––:–– 09:50 00:17 11:58 00:17 12:54 23:53 14:46 23:56 15:58 00:13 15:40 01:12 15:33 03:53 15:13 05:27 13 09:41 20:50 09:39 23:44 08:47 23:57 09:57 00:52 10:56 00:52 13:02 00:40 13:57 ––:–– 15:43 ––:–– 16:37 01:15 16:10 02:26 16:05 05:15 15:59 06:45 14 10:10 22:07 10:12 ––:–– 09:28 ––:–– 10:59 01:39 12:02 01:22 14:05 01:02 14:59 00:19 16:35 00:39 17:12 02:24 16:38 03:44 16:42 06:38 16:55 07:57 15 10:37 23:24 10:48 00:58 10:15 01:05 12:03 02:17 13:06 01:48 15:07 01:25 16:00 00:47 17:23 01:30 17:43 03:37 17:08 05:04 17:26 07:59 17:58 08:59

16 11:05 ––:–– 11:29 02:08 11:07 02:05 13:07 02:50 14:10 02:12 16:10 01:49 16:59 01:21 18:05 02:29 18:13 04:54 17:39 06:26 18:17 09:13 19:08 09:50 17 11:35 00:40 12:17 03:12 12:05 02:56 14:12 03:18 15:13 02:34 17:12 02:16 17:55 02:01 18:43 03:35 18:42 06:14 18:13 07:49 19:16 10:19 20:19 10:31 18 12:08 01:55 13:12 04:09 13:07 03:39 15:15 03:42 16:15 02:56 18:12 02:47 18:45 02:48 19:15 04:47 19:11 07:34 18:53 09:09 20:22 11:13 21:30 11:05 19 12:46 03:08 14:11 04:57 14:11 04:15 16:18 04:06 17:18 03:20 19:10 03:23 19:31 03:43 19:45 06:02 19:43 08:55 19:39 10:25 21:30 11:57 22:39 11:33 20 13:30 04:17 15:14 05:38 15:15 04:46 17:21 04:28 18:20 03:45 20:03 04:06 20:10 04:45 20:14 07:19 20:19 10:14 20:33 11:33 22:39 12:33 23:46 11:58

21 14:21 05:19 16:19 06:13 16:19 05:13 18:24 04:51 19:21 04:13 20:51 04:56 20:44 05:53 20:42 08:37 21:00 11:30 21:33 12:30 23:47 13:03 ––:–– 12:21 22 15:18 06:14 17:24 06:43 17:23 05:37 19:26 05:15 20:20 04:46 21:33 05:53 21:15 07:05 21:11 09:55 21:47 12:40 22:37 13:18 ––:–– 13:29 00:51 12:43 23 16:21 07:01 18:29 07:09 18:27 06:00 20:28 05:41 21:16 05:25 22:09 06:57 21:43 08:19 21:43 11:13 22:41 13:41 23:44 13:58 00:53 13:53 01:55 13:06 24 17:26 07:40 19:33 07:33 19:29 06:23 21:28 06:11 22:06 06:10 22:41 08:05 22:10 09:35 22:19 12:28 23:41 14:34 ––:–– 14:30 01:58 14:15 02:58 13:30 25 18:32 08:12 20:37 07:56 20:32 06:46 22:25 06:46 22:51 07:02 23:10 09:17 22:38 10:51 23:01 13:40 ––:–– 15:18 00:50 14:58 03:02 14:37 04:01 13:57

26 19:38 08:41 21:39 08:19 21:34 07:11 23:18 07:26 23:31 08:01 23:38 10:30 23:07 12:07 23:50 14:47 00:46 15:55 01:57 15:23 04:06 15:00 05:02 14:28 27 20:43 09:06 22:41 08:42 22:34 07:39 ––:–– 08:14 ––:–– 09:06 ––:–– 11:46 23:40 13:24 ––:–– 15:45 01:52 16:26 03:02 15:46 05:08 15:26 06:01 15:04 28 21:46 09:29 23:43 09:08 23:33 08:10 00:07 09:08 00:05 10:15 00:04 13:02 ––:–– 14:38 00:46 16:35 02:59 16:53 04:07 16:08 06:10 15:54 06:57 15:47 29 22:49 09:52 ––:–– 09:37 ––:–– 08:47 00:50 10:09 00:36 11:27 00:32 14:19 00:18 15:49 01:48 17:17 04:05 17:17 05:11 16:31 07:10 16:27 07:48 16:36 30 23:52 10:15 00:30 09:29 01:28 11:16 01:05 12:42 01:03 15:36 01:02 16:54 02:54 17:53 05:11 17:40 06:14 16:55 08:08 17:05 08:33 17:32

31 ––:–– 10:39 01:22 10:20 01:32 13:59 01:55 17:51 04:02 18:23 07:16 17:22

Page 28: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

26 Lunar BAA Handbook 2016

MOONRISE AND MOONSET MOONRISE AND MOONSET LATITUDE S 35º LATITUDE S 35º

January February March April May June July August September October November December Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise SetDay h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m

1 23:43 11:28 23:57 12:52 23:14 12:29 ––:–– 13:45 00:23 13:52 02:31 14:27 03:39 14:36 05:31 16:10 06:18 17:57 05:58 18:36 06:14 20:05 06:18 20:35 2 ––:–– 12:21 ––:–– 13:46 ––:–– 13:23 00:33 14:31 01:27 14:32 03:39 15:10 04:46 15:28 06:20 17:11 06:52 18:54 06:30 19:31 06:52 20:58 07:06 21:23 3 00:14 13:15 00:37 14:40 00:01 14:15 01:34 15:15 02:33 15:12 04:48 15:56 05:49 16:24 07:04 18:11 07:25 19:50 07:03 20:24 07:35 21:48 07:59 22:07 4 00:47 14:09 01:22 15:35 00:52 15:06 02:39 15:57 03:41 15:52 05:57 16:47 06:48 17:23 07:44 19:11 07:57 20:44 07:37 21:18 08:21 22:37 08:54 22:49 5 01:22 15:04 02:12 16:28 01:49 15:55 03:46 16:39 04:50 16:35 07:04 17:42 07:41 18:25 08:20 20:08 08:30 21:38 08:14 22:10 09:10 23:24 09:51 23:28

6 02:01 15:59 03:07 17:19 02:50 16:41 04:55 17:20 06:01 17:20 08:06 18:40 08:28 19:26 08:54 21:05 09:03 22:31 08:54 23:02 10:04 ––:–– 10:51 ––:–– 7 02:44 16:54 04:07 18:07 03:55 17:25 06:05 18:02 07:11 18:09 09:02 19:41 09:10 20:26 09:26 21:59 09:39 23:25 09:38 23:52 11:00 00:07 11:52 00:06 8 03:32 17:49 05:11 18:53 05:02 18:08 07:16 18:47 08:20 19:03 09:52 20:42 09:48 21:24 09:58 22:53 10:17 ––:–– 10:26 ––:–– 12:00 00:49 12:55 00:43 9 04:25 18:41 06:17 19:35 06:11 18:49 08:27 19:34 09:24 19:59 10:35 21:42 10:22 22:21 10:30 23:47 10:58 00:17 11:18 00:41 13:02 01:28 14:00 01:20 10 05:23 19:30 07:25 20:16 07:21 19:31 09:35 20:24 10:22 20:58 11:14 22:40 10:55 23:16 11:05 ––:–– 11:44 01:09 12:13 01:27 14:06 02:07 15:08 01:58

11 06:25 20:16 08:33 20:56 08:30 20:13 10:39 21:18 11:13 21:58 11:50 23:36 11:26 ––:–– 11:41 00:41 12:35 02:00 13:13 02:11 15:13 02:45 16:17 02:40 12 07:29 20:59 09:40 21:37 09:39 20:57 11:38 22:14 11:59 22:57 12:22 ––:–– 11:58 00:10 12:21 01:34 13:30 02:49 14:16 02:53 16:21 03:25 17:27 03:26 13 08:34 21:40 10:47 22:18 10:46 21:44 12:32 23:11 12:39 23:54 12:54 00:31 12:31 01:03 13:05 02:27 14:29 03:35 15:21 03:34 17:32 04:06 18:36 04:17 14 09:39 22:19 11:53 23:01 11:50 22:34 13:19 ––:–– 13:15 ––:–– 13:25 01:25 13:06 01:57 13:54 03:19 15:32 04:20 16:28 04:14 18:44 04:52 19:41 05:13 15 10:45 22:57 12:56 23:48 12:50 23:27 14:01 00:09 13:49 00:50 13:58 02:19 13:45 02:51 14:48 04:10 16:37 05:02 17:38 04:54 19:54 05:41 20:39 06:14

16 11:50 23:36 13:58 ––:–– 13:45 ––:–– 14:39 01:05 14:21 01:45 14:31 03:12 14:27 03:45 15:46 04:59 17:44 05:43 18:48 05:35 21:00 06:35 21:31 07:17 17 12:55 ––:–– 14:55 00:37 14:35 00:21 15:14 02:01 14:52 02:39 15:08 04:06 15:13 04:38 16:47 05:45 18:53 06:23 19:59 06:19 22:00 07:34 22:16 08:21 18 14:00 00:17 15:48 01:30 15:20 01:18 15:46 02:56 15:24 03:32 15:48 05:00 16:05 05:30 17:51 06:28 20:01 07:03 21:09 07:06 22:53 08:35 22:56 09:24 19 15:03 01:01 16:37 02:26 16:00 02:14 16:18 03:50 15:56 04:26 16:32 05:54 17:01 06:20 18:57 07:10 21:10 07:45 22:15 07:57 23:40 09:37 23:32 10:24 20 16:04 01:49 17:21 03:22 16:37 03:11 16:49 04:44 16:31 05:19 17:21 06:47 18:00 07:07 20:03 07:49 22:18 08:29 23:15 08:52 ––:–– 10:38 ––:–– 11:22

21 17:01 02:41 18:00 04:20 17:11 04:06 17:22 05:38 17:09 06:13 18:13 07:38 19:02 07:52 21:09 08:28 23:23 09:16 ––:–– 09:49 00:21 11:38 00:05 12:19 22 17:54 03:36 18:36 05:17 17:44 05:01 17:55 06:31 17:50 07:07 19:10 08:26 20:05 08:33 22:16 09:08 ––:–– 10:06 00:10 10:49 00:58 12:35 00:37 13:13 23 18:41 04:33 19:10 06:13 18:16 05:55 18:31 07:25 18:36 08:00 20:09 09:11 21:09 09:13 23:22 09:49 00:25 11:00 00:59 11:48 01:31 13:31 01:09 14:07 24 19:24 05:31 19:43 07:08 18:47 06:49 19:10 08:18 19:25 08:51 21:10 09:53 22:14 09:51 ––:–– 10:32 01:22 11:57 01:42 12:47 02:03 14:26 01:41 15:01 25 20:02 06:29 20:14 08:02 19:20 07:43 19:52 09:11 20:19 09:41 22:13 10:33 23:19 10:29 00:27 11:19 02:13 12:55 02:20 13:45 02:35 15:20 02:15 15:54

26 20:38 07:27 20:46 08:56 19:54 08:36 20:39 10:03 21:16 10:27 23:16 11:11 ––:–– 11:07 01:30 12:10 02:59 13:54 02:55 14:41 03:06 16:14 02:51 16:48 27 21:11 08:22 21:20 09:49 20:31 09:29 21:29 10:54 22:15 11:11 ––:–– 11:48 00:24 11:49 02:30 13:04 03:41 14:52 03:28 15:36 03:39 17:07 03:31 17:40 28 21:43 09:17 21:55 10:43 21:11 10:23 22:24 11:42 23:16 11:52 00:20 12:27 01:29 12:33 03:25 14:02 04:18 15:50 04:00 16:31 04:14 18:01 04:15 18:31 29 22:14 10:11 22:33 11:36 21:55 11:15 23:22 12:27 ––:–– 12:31 01:26 13:06 02:34 13:21 04:15 15:01 04:53 16:46 04:32 17:25 04:52 18:54 05:02 19:20 30 22:46 11:04 22:43 12:07 ––:–– 13:11 00:20 13:09 02:32 13:49 03:37 14:14 05:00 16:00 05:26 17:42 05:04 18:19 05:33 19:45 05:54 20:07

31 23:20 11:58 23:36 12:57 01:24 13:48 04:36 15:11 05:41 16:59 05:38 19:12

Page 29: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar 27

MOONRISE AND MOONSET MOONRISE AND MOONSET LATITUDE S 35º LATITUDE S 35º

January February March April May June July August September October November December Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise SetDay h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m

1 23:43 11:28 23:57 12:52 23:14 12:29 ––:–– 13:45 00:23 13:52 02:31 14:27 03:39 14:36 05:31 16:10 06:18 17:57 05:58 18:36 06:14 20:05 06:18 20:35 2 ––:–– 12:21 ––:–– 13:46 ––:–– 13:23 00:33 14:31 01:27 14:32 03:39 15:10 04:46 15:28 06:20 17:11 06:52 18:54 06:30 19:31 06:52 20:58 07:06 21:23 3 00:14 13:15 00:37 14:40 00:01 14:15 01:34 15:15 02:33 15:12 04:48 15:56 05:49 16:24 07:04 18:11 07:25 19:50 07:03 20:24 07:35 21:48 07:59 22:07 4 00:47 14:09 01:22 15:35 00:52 15:06 02:39 15:57 03:41 15:52 05:57 16:47 06:48 17:23 07:44 19:11 07:57 20:44 07:37 21:18 08:21 22:37 08:54 22:49 5 01:22 15:04 02:12 16:28 01:49 15:55 03:46 16:39 04:50 16:35 07:04 17:42 07:41 18:25 08:20 20:08 08:30 21:38 08:14 22:10 09:10 23:24 09:51 23:28

6 02:01 15:59 03:07 17:19 02:50 16:41 04:55 17:20 06:01 17:20 08:06 18:40 08:28 19:26 08:54 21:05 09:03 22:31 08:54 23:02 10:04 ––:–– 10:51 ––:–– 7 02:44 16:54 04:07 18:07 03:55 17:25 06:05 18:02 07:11 18:09 09:02 19:41 09:10 20:26 09:26 21:59 09:39 23:25 09:38 23:52 11:00 00:07 11:52 00:06 8 03:32 17:49 05:11 18:53 05:02 18:08 07:16 18:47 08:20 19:03 09:52 20:42 09:48 21:24 09:58 22:53 10:17 ––:–– 10:26 ––:–– 12:00 00:49 12:55 00:43 9 04:25 18:41 06:17 19:35 06:11 18:49 08:27 19:34 09:24 19:59 10:35 21:42 10:22 22:21 10:30 23:47 10:58 00:17 11:18 00:41 13:02 01:28 14:00 01:20 10 05:23 19:30 07:25 20:16 07:21 19:31 09:35 20:24 10:22 20:58 11:14 22:40 10:55 23:16 11:05 ––:–– 11:44 01:09 12:13 01:27 14:06 02:07 15:08 01:58

11 06:25 20:16 08:33 20:56 08:30 20:13 10:39 21:18 11:13 21:58 11:50 23:36 11:26 ––:–– 11:41 00:41 12:35 02:00 13:13 02:11 15:13 02:45 16:17 02:40 12 07:29 20:59 09:40 21:37 09:39 20:57 11:38 22:14 11:59 22:57 12:22 ––:–– 11:58 00:10 12:21 01:34 13:30 02:49 14:16 02:53 16:21 03:25 17:27 03:26 13 08:34 21:40 10:47 22:18 10:46 21:44 12:32 23:11 12:39 23:54 12:54 00:31 12:31 01:03 13:05 02:27 14:29 03:35 15:21 03:34 17:32 04:06 18:36 04:17 14 09:39 22:19 11:53 23:01 11:50 22:34 13:19 ––:–– 13:15 ––:–– 13:25 01:25 13:06 01:57 13:54 03:19 15:32 04:20 16:28 04:14 18:44 04:52 19:41 05:13 15 10:45 22:57 12:56 23:48 12:50 23:27 14:01 00:09 13:49 00:50 13:58 02:19 13:45 02:51 14:48 04:10 16:37 05:02 17:38 04:54 19:54 05:41 20:39 06:14

16 11:50 23:36 13:58 ––:–– 13:45 ––:–– 14:39 01:05 14:21 01:45 14:31 03:12 14:27 03:45 15:46 04:59 17:44 05:43 18:48 05:35 21:00 06:35 21:31 07:17 17 12:55 ––:–– 14:55 00:37 14:35 00:21 15:14 02:01 14:52 02:39 15:08 04:06 15:13 04:38 16:47 05:45 18:53 06:23 19:59 06:19 22:00 07:34 22:16 08:21 18 14:00 00:17 15:48 01:30 15:20 01:18 15:46 02:56 15:24 03:32 15:48 05:00 16:05 05:30 17:51 06:28 20:01 07:03 21:09 07:06 22:53 08:35 22:56 09:24 19 15:03 01:01 16:37 02:26 16:00 02:14 16:18 03:50 15:56 04:26 16:32 05:54 17:01 06:20 18:57 07:10 21:10 07:45 22:15 07:57 23:40 09:37 23:32 10:24 20 16:04 01:49 17:21 03:22 16:37 03:11 16:49 04:44 16:31 05:19 17:21 06:47 18:00 07:07 20:03 07:49 22:18 08:29 23:15 08:52 ––:–– 10:38 ––:–– 11:22

21 17:01 02:41 18:00 04:20 17:11 04:06 17:22 05:38 17:09 06:13 18:13 07:38 19:02 07:52 21:09 08:28 23:23 09:16 ––:–– 09:49 00:21 11:38 00:05 12:19 22 17:54 03:36 18:36 05:17 17:44 05:01 17:55 06:31 17:50 07:07 19:10 08:26 20:05 08:33 22:16 09:08 ––:–– 10:06 00:10 10:49 00:58 12:35 00:37 13:13 23 18:41 04:33 19:10 06:13 18:16 05:55 18:31 07:25 18:36 08:00 20:09 09:11 21:09 09:13 23:22 09:49 00:25 11:00 00:59 11:48 01:31 13:31 01:09 14:07 24 19:24 05:31 19:43 07:08 18:47 06:49 19:10 08:18 19:25 08:51 21:10 09:53 22:14 09:51 ––:–– 10:32 01:22 11:57 01:42 12:47 02:03 14:26 01:41 15:01 25 20:02 06:29 20:14 08:02 19:20 07:43 19:52 09:11 20:19 09:41 22:13 10:33 23:19 10:29 00:27 11:19 02:13 12:55 02:20 13:45 02:35 15:20 02:15 15:54

26 20:38 07:27 20:46 08:56 19:54 08:36 20:39 10:03 21:16 10:27 23:16 11:11 ––:–– 11:07 01:30 12:10 02:59 13:54 02:55 14:41 03:06 16:14 02:51 16:48 27 21:11 08:22 21:20 09:49 20:31 09:29 21:29 10:54 22:15 11:11 ––:–– 11:48 00:24 11:49 02:30 13:04 03:41 14:52 03:28 15:36 03:39 17:07 03:31 17:40 28 21:43 09:17 21:55 10:43 21:11 10:23 22:24 11:42 23:16 11:52 00:20 12:27 01:29 12:33 03:25 14:02 04:18 15:50 04:00 16:31 04:14 18:01 04:15 18:31 29 22:14 10:11 22:33 11:36 21:55 11:15 23:22 12:27 ––:–– 12:31 01:26 13:06 02:34 13:21 04:15 15:01 04:53 16:46 04:32 17:25 04:52 18:54 05:02 19:20 30 22:46 11:04 22:43 12:07 ––:–– 13:11 00:20 13:09 02:32 13:49 03:37 14:14 05:00 16:00 05:26 17:42 05:04 18:19 05:33 19:45 05:54 20:07

31 23:20 11:58 23:36 12:57 01:24 13:48 04:36 15:11 05:41 16:59 05:38 19:12

Page 30: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

28 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2016

SUN’S SELENOGRAPHIC COLONGITUDEDay Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º1 164.5 181.4 174.2 191.9 197.8 216.4 223.0 241.9 260.6 266.7 284.4 289.52 176.6 193.5 186.4 204.0 210.0 228.6 235.3 254.2 272.9 278.9 296.6 301.73 188.8 205.7 198.6 216.3 222.2 240.9 247.5 266.4 285.1 291.1 308.8 313.94 200.9 217.9 210.8 228.5 234.5 253.1 259.8 278.7 297.3 303.3 321.0 326.15 213.1 230.1 223.0 240.7 246.7 265.4 272.0 290.9 309.6 315.5 333.2 338.36 225.3 242.3 235.2 252.9 258.9 277.6 284.3 303.2 321.8 327.8 345.4 350.47 237.5 254.5 247.4 265.1 271.2 289.9 296.5 315.4 334.0 340.0 357.6 2.68 249.7 266.7 259.6 277.4 283.4 302.1 308.8 327.6 346.2 352.2 9.8 14.79 261.8 278.8 271.8 289.6 295.7 314.3 321.0 339.9 358.4 4.4 21.9 26.910 274.0 291.0 284.0 301.8 307.9 326.6 333.2 352.1 10.6 16.5 34.1 39.011 286.2 303.2 296.2 314.0 320.1 338.8 345.5 4.3 22.8 28.7 46.2 51.212 298.4 315.4 308.4 326.2 332.3 351.0 357.7 16.5 35.0 40.9 58.4 63.313 310.6 327.6 320.6 338.4 344.6 3.3 9.9 28.7 47.2 53.1 70.5 75.414 322.8 339.8 332.8 350.6 356.8 15.5 22.1 40.9 59.4 65.2 82.7 87.615 334.9 352.0 345.0 2.8 9.0 27.7 34.3 53.1 71.6 77.4 94.8 99.716 347.1 4.1 357.2 15.0 21.2 39.9 46.6 65.3 83.7 89.5 106.9 111.817 359.3 16.3 9.3 27.2 33.4 52.1 58.7 77.5 95.9 101.7 119.1 123.918 11.4 28.4 21.5 39.4 45.6 64.3 70.9 89.7 108.1 113.8 131.2 136.119 23.6 40.6 33.7 51.6 57.8 76.5 83.1 101.9 120.2 126.0 143.4 148.220 35.7 52.7 45.8 63.8 70.0 88.7 95.3 114.0 132.4 138.1 155.5 160.421 47.9 64.9 58.0 75.9 82.2 100.9 107.5 126.2 144.6 150.3 167.7 172.522 60.0 77.0 70.2 88.1 94.3 113.1 119.7 138.4 156.8 162.5 179.8 184.723 72.1 89.2 82.3 100.3 106.5 125.3 131.9 150.6 169.0 174.6 192.0 196.824 84.2 101.3 94.5 112.5 118.7 137.5 144.1 162.8 181.2 186.8 204.2 209.025 96.4 113.4 106.6 124.6 130.9 149.7 156.3 175.0 193.4 199.0 216.4 221.226 108.5 125.6 118.8 136.8 143.1 161.9 168.5 187.2 205.6 211.2 228.5 233.427 120.6 137.7 131.0 149.0 155.3 174.1 180.7 199.5 217.8 223.4 240.7 245.628 132.8 149.9 143.1 161.2 167.5 186.3 193.0 211.7 230.0 235.6 252.9 257.729 144.9 162.1 155.3 173.4 179.7 198.5 205.2 223.9 242.2 247.8 265.1 269.930 157.1 167.5 185.6 191.9 210.8 217.4 236.1 254.4 260.0 277.3 282.131 169.2 179.7 204.2 229.7 248.4 272.2 294.3

The Sun’s selenographic colongitude is numerically equal to the selenographic longitude of the morning terminator, measured towards celestial East from the mean centre of the disk. Its value is approximately 270° at New Moon, 0° at First Quarter, 90° at Full Moon, and 180° at Last Quarter, and should be quoted on observations. The IAU longitude of the visible morning or evening terminator, as appropriate, can be obtained from the Sun’s selenographic colongitude S as follows:

Terminator S Longitude (IAU)New Moon to First Quarter Morning 270° to 360° 360°–S EastFirst Quarter to Full Moon Morning 0° to 90° S WestFull Moon to Last Quarter Evening 90° to 180° 180°–S EastLast Quarter to New Moon Evening 180° to 270° S–180° West

The hourly increase in S may be taken as 0.5°

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BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar Occultations 29

LUNAR OCCULTATIONSExcept near new and full Moon, occultations of all stars down to magnitude 6.0, visible from the three pairs of stations whose co–ordinates are tabulated below, are given in the following lists. ZC numbers refer to the Zodiacal Catalog (Astron. Papers of the American Ephemeris, X, part II, 1940).

Long. (λ) Lat. (φ) Long. (λ) Lat. (φ) ° ° ° ° Greenwich 0.0 +51.5 Edinburgh –3.2 +56.0

Sydney +151.2 –33.9 Melbourne +145.1 –37.9 Dunedin +170.5 –45.9 Wellington +174.8 –41.3

Phase (Ph.). The first letter indicates whether disappearance (D) or reappearance (R). The second letter indicates whether the limb is dark (D) or bright (B).Column 7 gives the Elongation of the Moon from the Sun.P is the position angle of the star, measured to the celestial east (anticlockwise) from the northernmost point of the Moon’s limb.The time (T) of occultation at a place Δλ degrees east and Δφ degrees north of one of the stations for which a prediction is given may be found from:

T = predicted time + a Δλ + b Δφfor which the coefficients a and b are given in the table in minutes. If the observer is west of the station, Δλ is taken as negative: similarly Δφ is negative if the observer is south of the station. For distances up to 500 km the error will not usually exceed 2 minutes.

If the observer is at a place between two standard stations, for both of which the coefficients a and b are given, a better result can be obtained by using the values of a and b for a latitude midway between that of the observer and the nearer station. If φ1, a1, b1 apply to this station, and (φ2, a2,b2 to the more distant, and φ is the latitude of the observer, then

Observers should note that these calculations are prone to error propagation and are best done using a spreadsheet or appropriate app. Suitable support is available on the BAA website.

Notes: Predictions have been prepared using Occult 4 software.

For stars not identified by a Greek letter, Flamsteed number or variable star designation, the HIP catalogue number is provided.

When an occultation is given for one station of a pair, but not the other, the exclusion indicates the event is probably not observable at that station due to a miss, Moon elevation too low, sky too bright, or the event occurs on the bright limb. Observability is determined by a sophisticated algorithm in ‘Occult 4’.

A more detailed list of occultations is printed monthly in the Lunar Section Circulars, available on the BAA web site. Alternatively, keen observers may like to download Occult to generate predictions for their site, from: http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/occult4.htm (free for non–commercial use).

Further links can be found on the Internet Resources Page.

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30 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2016

Lunar Occultations LUNAR OCCULTATIONS GREENWICH EDINBURGH E 0.0º N 51.5º W 3.2º N 56.0º

Date Star V Ph. El. of ZC Name Moon UT a b P UT a b P º h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º

Jan. 12 3188 λ Cap 5.6 DD 33 16 35.3 +0.0 +2.0 7 16 219 μ Psc 4.8 DD 87 18 43.8 +1.2 +0.8 48 18 45.3 +0.9 +1.3 33 19 667 75 Tau 5.0 DD 128 23 59.2 +1.0 –0.1 52 23 57.1 +1.0 +0.6 36 19 669 θ1 Tau 3.8 DD 129 24* 15.1 +0.1 –5.6 155 23 56.1 +0.7 –2.9 132 20 677 HIP 21029 4.8 DD 129 0 54.7 +0.5 –1.6 98 0 46.1 +0.6 –1.4 87 20 692 Aldebaran 0.9 DD 130 3 24.5 +0.2 –0.1 40 3 23.8 +0.4 +0.3 27 20 806 111 Tau 5.0 DD 141 22 59.0 +1.3 –2.0 122 22 48.0 +1.2 –1.1 107 21 944 HIP 29616 5.9 DD 152 18 42.2 +0.6 +2.1 62 18 51.2 +0.4 +2.6 46 27 1663 τ Leo 5.0 RD 135 21 20.3 +0.1 +1.0 291 30 1891 θ Vir 4.4 RD 111 4 3.0 +1.0 –1.4 331 3 54.4 +0.7 –1.3 338Feb. 13 322 64 Cet 5.6 DD 69 18 35.6 +1.9 –5.2 143 13 327 65 Cet 4.4 DD 70 19 27.8 +1.2 –2.4 116 19 16.1 +1.1 –1.4 99 16 635 53 Tau 3.7 DD 99 1 48.1 –0.3 –1.1 82 1 43.8 –0.1 –1.1 75 19 1197 1 Cnc 5.8 DD 147 22 49.6 +1.4 –1.1 109 22 41.6 +1.3 –0.5 99 21 1409 ξ Leo 5.0 DD 169 17 45.6 +0.1 +1.2 101 17 51.9 +0.0 +1.7 88 23 1549 48 Leo 5.1 RD 175 3 35.6 +0.5 –2.5 328 3 22.9 +0.5 –2.5 333Mar. 15 878 130 Tau 5.5 DD 91 20 9.7 +1.5 +0.5 55 20 9.1 +1.4 +1.4 38 16 1029 26 Gem 5.2 DD 103 19 8.4 +1.6 +1.1 62 19 10.4 +1.4 +2.1 46 26 2033 κ Vir 4.2 RD 151 4 14.6 +1.1 –2.0 322 4 2.7 +1.0 –1.8 326 28 2247 η Lib 5.4 RD 130 1 31.4 +1.5 +1.0 266 1 31.8 +1.2 +1.0 272 31 2658 Y Sgr 5.8 RD 95 3 34.9 +0.8 –0.4 327 3 31.2 +0.4 –0.4 336Apr. 6 Venus –3.8 DB 16 7 30.7 +0.2 +3.3 5 6 Venus –3.8 RD 16 8 1.9 +1.6 +0.0 312 10 635 γ Tau 3.7 DD 45 15 46.1 +1.5 –1.2 111 15 38.3 +1.3 –0.4 95 10 669 θ1 Tau 3.8 DD 47 20 2.9 +0.3 –1.5 92 19 55.4 +0.4 –1.3 82 10 671 θ2 Tau 3.4 DD 47 20 7.4 +0.2 –2.0 113 19 58.0 +0.3 –1.8 102 10 677 HIP 21029 4.8 DD 47 21 0.3 +0.3 –0.4 47 20 58.0 +0.5 +0.0 35 11 806 111 Tau 5.0 DD 59 18 1.1 +1.3 –0.9 90 17 54.4 +1.2 –0.4 78 11 820 117 Tau 5.8 DD 60 19 55.3 +0.5 –2.3 124 19 43.9 +0.6 –1.9 113 11 845 122 Tau 5.5 DD 62 23 52.7 –1.4 –4.3 168 15 1271 29 Cnc 5.9 DD 100 1 41.1 –0.3 –2.0 136 21 1891 θ Vir 4.4 DD 167 0 10.3 +2.0 –0.1 74 0 4.3 +1.8 +0.2 68May 14 1549 48 Leo 5.1 DD 103 20 59.1 +1.0 –2.0 134 20 47.7 +1.0 –1.7 128 16 1663 τ Leo 5.0 DD 116 0 54.7 +0.4 –1.6 85 0 46.2 +0.5 –1.6 81 26 2865 HIP 21029 5.7 RD 132 2 14.5 +1.5 +0.5 274 2 12.5 +1.3 +0.6 279 30 3412 φ Aqr 4.2 RD 82 3 43.4 +0.6 +2.4 200 3 51.3 +0.6 +2.0 208Jun. 2 327 65 Cet 4.4 RD 38 10 49.7 +1.3 +0.0 249 10 45.1 +1.2 –0.3 263 9 1409 ξ Leo 5.0 DD 62 22 39.8 –0.3 –2.1 145 22 31.2 –0.2 –2.1 140 15 2033 κ Vir 4.2 DD 129 22 19.7 +1.4 –1.3 109 22 10.2 +1.3 –1.0 106 21 2814 43 Sgr 4.9 RD 162 23 3.0 +1.4 +1.4 245 23 5.3 +1.1 +1.4 250 27 3514 24 Psc 5.9 RD 98 2 39.4 +0.3 +3.0 185 2 49.6 +0.5 +2.3 198Jul. 29 635 γ Tau 3.7 RD 60 4 12.4 +0.9 +0.9 289 4 12.9 +0.9 +0.7 303 29 661 71 Tau 4.5 RD 59 7 13.3 +0.5 +4.7 192 7 24.6 +0.9 +2.2 215 29 669 θ1 Tau 3.8 RD 58 8 57.3 +1.4 +0.1 254 8 52.4 +1.3 –0.3 268 29 671 θ2 Tau 3.4 RD 58 8 54.3 +1.4 +0.9 234 8 52.8 +1.2 +0.3 249 29 677 HIP 21029 4.8 RD 58 10 2.0 +1.2 –1.6 288 9 49.8 +1.2 –2.1 304 31 944 124 Ori 5.9 RD 35 2 47.3 +0.0 +0.7 302 2 50.5 +0.0 +0.6 314

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BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar Occultations 31

Aug. 15 2865 HIP 96496 5.7 DD 149 23 59.3 +1.0 –0.3 57 23 55.2 +0.9 –0.2 48 24 462 HIP 14764 6.0 RD 103 5 13.2 +0.5 +4.1 188 25 635 γ Tau 3.7 RD 86 11 32.3 +0.1 –1.9 288 11 22.7 +0.1 –2.3 299 28 1072 NP Gem 6.0 RD 50 5 3.3 +1.1 –0.1 311 4 57.2 +1.2 –1.3 333Sep. 7 2223 γ Lib 3.9 DD 70 14 35.4 +1.5 +1.1 85 14 36.4 +1.4 +1.4 79 18 249 ν Psc 4.5 RD 150 22 1.6 +0.2 +2.5 201 22 11.1 +0.3 +2.1 211 20 405 μ Cet 4.3 RD 135 0 49.3 +0.3 +2.8 196 21 699 89 Tau 5.8 RD 109 22 55.8 +0.1 +1.4 273 23 1.4 +0.1 +1.3 282 21 702 σ1 Tau 5.1 RD 108 23 5.8 –0.3 +2.5 208 23 16.9 –0.2 +2.2 220 21 704 σ2 Tau 4.7 RD 108 23 19.4 +0.0 +1.9 237 23 27.7 +0.0 +1.8 246 23 878 130 Tau 5.5 RD 93 3 44.5 +1.3 +1.0 267 3 44.4 +1.1 +0.7 281 24 1029 26 Gem 5.2 RD 81 1 59.1 +0.3 +2.1 243 2 6.8 +0.3 +1.8 256 28 1525 44 Leo 5.6 RD 30 6 16.4 +0.5 –5.5 2Oct. 9 2865 HIP 96496 5.7 DD 96 17 41.9 +1.3 +2.7 14 10 3019 HIP 102026 5.8 DD 110 23 9.3 +0.8 –1.5 91 23 1.1 +0.7 –1.2 78 17 462 HIP 14764 6.0 RD 155 20 27.3 +0.2 +1.8 240 20 34.7 +0.2 +1.7 248 19 635 γ Tau 3.7 RD 139 0 12.9 +1.2 +0.9 272 0 12.9 +1.1 +0.7 286 19 661 71 Tau 4.5 RD 138 3 11.3 +0.9 +2.6 204 19 669 θ1 Tau 3.8 RD 137 4 45.6 +1.2 –0.3 250 4 39.8 +1.1 –0.6 263 19 671 θ2 Tau 3.4 RD 137 4 41.7 +1.2 +0.6 229 4 39.1 +1.1 +0.0 244 19 677 HIP 21029 4.8 RD 137 5 45.1 +0.9 –1.7 285 5 33.7 +0.8 –2.2 300 20 806 111 Tau 5.0 RD 125 1 39.1 +1.0 +1.8 238 1 43.0 +1.0 +1.4 253 22 1141 HIP 36616 5.5 RD 97 6 1.8 +1.7 +0.9 241 5 59.6 +1.4 +0.4 255 25 1486 31 Leo 4.4 RD 61 3 35.1 +0.6 +0.5 302 3 34.9 +0.5 +0.2 317 26 1589 56 Leo 5.9 RD 50 3 18.6 +0.2 +3.3 233 3 30.3 +0.2 +2.3 252 26 1600 59 Leo 5.0 RD 49 6 6.3 +1.0 –0.1 309 6 2.4 +0.8 –0.4 322 27 1712 β Vir 3.6 RD 37 8 15.1 +1.7 +0.8 267 8 13.5 +1.3 +0.6 276Nov. 10 3514 24 Psc 5.9 DD 128 21 41.1 +1.3 +0.0 70 21 38.0 +1.0 +0.3 57 12 249 ν Psc 4.5 DD 154 19 10.9 +1.6 +0.0 130 19 9.4 +1.0 +0.9 116 16 741 HIP 23043 5.5 RD 158 2 1.3 +1.4 –0.7 281 1 52.7 +1.3 –1.1 296 16 878 130 Tau 5.5 RD 147 19 53.4 –0.2 +1.7 245 20 1.2 –0.1 +1.6 255 18 1072 NP Gem 6.0 RD 131 1 28.8 +1.0 +4.6 207 1 39.6 +1.0 +2.3 230 19 1210 5 Cnc 6.0 RD 118 1 28.6 +1.0 +2.8 231 1 36.0 +0.9 +1.9 248Dec. 2 2791 V4024 Sgr 5.6 DD 35 17 41.3 +0.8 –1.0 71 17 34.9 +0.7 –0.8 60 9 192 89 Psc 5.1 DD 121 19 23.2 +1.7 +0.1 99 19 20.1 +1.3 +0.6 86 11 462 HIP 14764 6.0 DD 148 17 56.7 +0.7 +1.3 95 18 0.9 +0.5 +1.5 86 12 635 γ Tau 3.7 DD 164 21 39.5 +1.4 +0.3 99 21 38.0 +1.1 +0.8 85 13 667 75 Tau 5.0 DD 165 2 20.5 +1.1 +1.7 24 13 669 θ1 Tau 3.8 DD 165 2 8.7 +0.8 –2.1 117 1 57.8 +0.9 –1.5 103 13 671 θ2 Tau 3.4 DD 165 2 22.2 +0.5 –4.4 147 2 5.5 +0.8 –2.5 126 13 677 HIP 21029 4.8 DD 166 2 59.7 +0.7 –1.1 80 2 53.3 +0.7 –0.8 68 13 692 Aldebaran 0.9 DD 167 5 23.8 +0.4 +0.3 31 5 25.8 +0.9 +2.0 13 13 692 Aldebaran 0.9 RB 167 5 53.3 –0.6 –2.6 321 5 41.1 –0.9 –4.4 338 13 814 115 Tau 5.4 DD 175 23 42.8 +1.0 +2.1 39 16 1158 74 Gem 5.0 RD 150 3 32.9 +0.7 –3.5 336

Note: 24* indicates the event occurs after 0h for one of the stations on this UT date change

Lunar Occultations LUNAR OCCULTATIONS GREENWICH EDINBURGH E 0.0º N 51.5º W 3.2º N 56.0º

Date Star V Ph. El. of ZC Name Moon UT a b P UT a b P ° h m m/° m/° ° h m m/° m/° °

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32 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2016

Jan. 1 1772 η Vir 3.9 DB 96 15 51.5 +0.5 –3.5 163 16 8.7 –0.9 –7.3 190 1 1772 η Vir 3.9 RD 95 16 44.4 +2.3 –0.1 247 16 26.1 +3.2 +3.8 217 7 2372 φ Oph 4.3 RD 37 1 5.6 +2.2 –0.6 296 0 53.5 +2.2 +0.0 281 16 167 80 Psc 5.5 DD 82 9 26.1 +1.9 +0.8 88 26 1525 HIP 51008 5.6 RD 151 13 29.0 +2.2 +0.2 242 13 13.7 +1.9 +1.6 221 30 1941 74 Vir 4.7 RD 106 14 31.2 +1.9 +1.6 224 Feb. 6 2876 54 Sgr 5.3 RD 23 18 51.4 –1.3 –6.3 343 19 8.3 –0.3 –2.4 311 14 404 38 Ari 5.2 DD 78 9 9.2 +1.9 +0.9 85 8 54.4 +2.0 +0.6 90 17 832 119 Tau 4.3 DD 115 6 25.3 +1.5 –1.5 106 19 1158 74 Gem 5.0 DD 143 16 15.5 +2.0 +4.8 37 15 55.0 +1.3 +2.0 68 23 1600 59 Leo 5.0 RD 170 16 58.3 +1.5 –0.4 302 16 48.0 +1.9 +0.3 282 24 1712 β Vir 3.6 DB 158 18 26.4 +0.9 –1.5 148 18 31.5 +0.2 –3.8 175 24 1712 β Vir 3.6 RD 158 19 30.1 +1.1 +1.6 261 19 10.8 +2.1 +4.0 235 28 2128 13 Lib 5.8 RD 114 18 25.5 +2.6 –0.5 280 18 9.8 +2.7 +0.3 259

Mar. 14 653 64 Tau 4.8 RB 73 10 32.8 +0.8 –0.6 318 22 1678 89 Leo 5.8 DD 170 16 41.1 +0.6 –1.9 156 23 1772 η Vir 3.9 DD 178 16 24.4 +1.0 –2.4 157 16 42.3 +9.9 +9.9 201 23 1772 η Vir 3.9 RD 178 17 25.4 +1.7 +2.1 253 16 50.4 +9.9 +9.9 211 29 2460 HIP 83854 6.0 RD 111 18 10.9 +9.9 +9.9 199

Apr. 1 2880 55 Sgr 5.1 RD 77 14 54.5 –1.3 –4.8 339 17 1525 44 Leo 5.6 DD 127 8 59.6 +1.0 –4.0 170 21 1941 74 Vir 4.7 DD 171 10 54.3 +0.4 –3.9 167

May 8 648 δ1 Tau 3.8 DD 19 3 29.2 +1.8 +1.9 35 3 12.9 +1.5 +1.2 41 11 1158 74 Gem 5.0 DD 62 11 36.6 +0.2 +0.6 110 15 1600 59 Leo 5.0 DD 109 10 25.3 +0.6 –3.3 169 15 1600 59 Leo 5.0 RB 109 11 21.7 +2.9 +2.3 248 20 2128 13 Lib 5.8 DD 164 12 0.4 +2.4 –1.0 102 11 53.9 +1.7 –1.9 121 22 2372 φ Oph 4.3 DD 171 11 15.1 –0.6 –5.1 170 22 2372 φ Oph 4.3 RD 171 12 5.5 +2.3 +0.0 250 11 47.7 +2.8 +2.1 222 23 2495 HIP 84792 6.0 RD 161 10 30.9 +1.0 –0.3 244 10 23.7 +1.2 +1.0 219

Jun. 19 2460 HIP 83854 6.0 DD 168 11 29.7 +2.0 –1.3 105 11 26.6 +1.4 –2.2 124 19 2495 HIP 84792 6.0 DD 170 19 1.0 +0.3 +0.6 107 18 56.2 +0.6 +0.5 113 23 3015 τ Cap 5.2 RD 143 10 37.2 +0.2 –0.6 254 10 37.9 +0.2 –0.2 236 24 3188 λ Cap 5.6 RD 128 18 24.0 +0.9 +3.5 200 18 3.8 +0.8 +3.9 194

Lunar Occultations LUNAR OCCULTATIONS SYDNEY MELBOURNE E 151.2º S 33.9º E 145.1º S 37.9º

Date Star V Ph. El. of ZC Name Moon UT a b P UT a b P ° h m m/° m/° ° h m m/° m/° °

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BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar Occultations 33

Jul. 2 653 64 Tau 4.8 RD 33 0 15.7 +2.4 –0.3 287 0 2.9 +2.2 –0.3 282 11 1821 γ Vir 2.8 DD 81 4 6.3 +1.0 –2.4 137 4 11.9 +0.6 –2.9 152 11 1821 γ Vir 2.8 RB 81 5 24.3 +2.2 –1.1 277 5 14.8 +2.1 –0.7 258 18 2686 HIP 90806 5.1 DD 161 8 31.8 +0.1 –3.5 147 20 3015 τ Cap 5.2 RD 169 19 59.1 –0.4 +2.8 204 19 49.3 –0.4 +3.2 198 21 3131 18 Aqr 5.5 RD 159 14 1.5 +1.9 +1.3 231 13 45.4 +1.6 +1.6 219

Aug. 8 1921 65 Vir 5.9 DD 65 12 36.5 +0.0 +0.6 109 10 2133 ξ Lib 5.5 DD 87 13 32.0 –0.8 +5.7 29 13 17.5 +0.0 +3.2 50 13 2495 HIP 84792 6.0 DD 119 9 43.7 +2.4 –1.6 119 9 39.2 +1.9 –2.9 138

Sep. 13 3015 τ Cap 5.2 DD 137 12 54.7 +1.9 +0.9 85 12 39.5 +2.1 +0.5 90 19 354 ξ Ari 5.5 RD 139 17 50.5 +2.0 +0.9 256 17 35.2 +1.9 +0.8 253 21 650 63 Tau 5.6 RD 112 17 24.8 +1.2 +2.1 205 17 10.6 +0.7 +2.0 200 22 832 119 Tau 4.3 RD 97 22 54.3 +2.1 +4.1 209

Oct. 23 1336 ο1 Cnc 5.2 RD 78 18 37.8 +2.0 –0.5 262 18 28.9 +1.6 –0.5 252 23 1337 ο2 Cnc 5.7 RD 78 18 33.0 +1.8 –2.7 325 18 32.1 +1.6 –2.2 314

Nov. 3 2495 HIP 84792 6.0 DD 39 9 22.0 +0.5 +1.1 92 9 13.9 +0.8 +1.0 99 8 3188 λ Cap 5.6 DD 98 13 44.4 +0.3 +1.1 88 13 37.0 +0.6 +1.2 92 13 354 ξ Ari 5.5 DD 165 14 0.3 +2.1 +0.6 85 13 45.9 +2.1 +0.3 87 15 653 64 Tau 4.8 DD 166 11 50.5 +9.9 +9.9 351 9 48.7 +1.8 +2.9 32 15 653 64 Tau 4.8 RD 165 12 1.0 +9.9 +9.9 334 12 2.7 +2.8 –4.4 321 21 1547 ρ Leo 3.8 DB 84 22 54.9 +1.3 –0.4 125 22 51.1 +1.0 –1.2 146 21 1547 ρ Leo 3.8 RD 83 24* 9.2 +0.9 +0.5 286 23 58.0 +1.5 +1.4 265

Dec. 5 3131 18 Aqr 5.5 DD 66 9 36.1 +0.3 +3.3 22 9 20.5 +0.6 +3.2 25 14 913 64 Ori 5.1 RD 171 14 12.6 +2.2 –0.1 270 14 0.5 +1.9 –0.2 264 14 940 68 Ori 5.8 RD 169 18 31.9 +0.8 +0.4 294 16 1236 ζ Cnc 5.1 RD 143 16 36.9 +2.7 +1.2 241 16 14.5 +2.6 +2.0 221 18 1466 ν Leo 5.3 RD 119 12 57.3 +0.5 –1.7 296 19 1609 χ Leo 4.6 RD 104 23 7.6 –0.1 –2.9 352 23 12.8 +0.5 –0.8 325

Note: 24* indicates the event occurs after 0h for one of the stations on this UT date change

Lunar Occultations LUNAR OCCULTATIONS SYDNEY MELBOURNE E 151.2º S 33.9º E 145.1º S 37.9º

Date Star V Ph. El. of ZC Name Moon UT a b P UT a b P º h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º

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34 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2016

Jan. 1 1772 η Vir 3.9 DB 96 16 43.4 +0.4 –3.5 171 16 33.1 +1.1 –2.6 152 1 1772 η Vir 3.9 RD 96 17 32.9 +2.9 +1.0 242 17 47.0 +2.6 +0.2 264 2 1866 44 Vir 5.8 RD 86 13 32.5 +0.6 +0.3 222 13 33.9 +0.6 –0.6 240 7 2372 φ Oph 4.3 RD 37 1 25.2 +1.0 +2.1 249 1 37.5 +0.9 +1.6 262 11 2969 β Cap 3.1 DD 14 3 46.7 +0.9 +2.3 45 4 1.7 +0.7 +2.7 36 13 3269 θ Aqr 4.2 DD 41 5 50.9 +0.1 +3.5 9 6 8.9 –0.6 +4.9 358 13 3285 HIP 110532 5.9 DD 43 9 7.7 –0.1 +2.4 26 9 18.4 –0.3 +2.7 17 16 167 80 Psc 5.5 DD 82 9 50.2 +1.1 –0.1 134 9 55.5 +0.9 +0.4 122 26 1525 44 Leo 5.6 RD 151 14 11.2 +3.2 +2.0 229 14 29.4 +2.7 +0.8 252 30 1941 74 Vir 4.7 DB 106 14 33.4 +0.2 –3.8 169 30 1941 74 Vir 4.7 RD 106 15 22.4 +2.8 +0.5 242

Feb. 14 404 38 Ari 5.2 DD 78 9 25.9 +0.9 +0.8 113 9 33.6 +0.8 +1.0 103 23 1600 61 Leo 5.0 RD 170 17 16.7 +0.8 +0.9 285 17 22.2 +0.6 +0.2 303

Mar. 5 2969 β Cap 3.1 DB 42 23 36.8 +1.2 +1.9 53 23 51.5 +1.0 +2.4 44 6 2969 β Cap 3.1 RD 42 0 45.4 +1.3 +1.0 274 0 55.2 +1.3 +0.8 281 14 653 64 Tau 4.8 DD 73 10 2.3 +1.0 +2.7 36 16 947 71 Ori 5.2 DD 97 7 12.3 +1.8 +0.3 73 7 23.4 +2.1 +0.9 64 20 1439 18 Leo 5.7 DD 145 7 2.4 +1.0 –1.5 96 7 1.0 +1.3 –1.2 88

Apr. 1 2876 54 Sgr 5.3 RD 78 14 36.1 +0.2 –1.8 285 14 27.6 +0.2 –2.4 303 1 2880 55 Sgr 5.1 RD 77 15 14.2 +0.0 –4.4 329 17 1525 44 Leo 5.6 DD 127 9 54.5 +0.1 –3.5 178 9 46.3 +1.1 –1.9 154 21 1941 74 Vir 4.7 DD 171 11 49.5 +0.4 –4.0 174 11 39.2 +1.3 –2.5 149

May 15 1600 59 Leo 5.0 DD 109 11 12.6 +9.9 +9.9 196 10 56.6 +0.5 –1.5 157 20 2128 13 Lib 5.8 DD 164 12 50.2 +1.7 –0.6 119 12 57.2 +1.9 +0.2 102 22 2372 φ Oph 4.3 RD 171 12 41.0 +2.6 +3.1 224 13 0.5 +2.4 +1.3 248 23 2495 HIP 84792 6.0 RD 161 10 58.0 +1.9 +0.8 227 11 7.0 +1.8 –0.2 250

Jun. 8 1207 3 Cnc 5.6 DD 41 5 32.2 +0.7 –0.8 149 5 33.9 +1.0 –0.2 131 11 1547 ρ Leo 3.8 DD 76 1 44.1 +1.1 +1.8 35 19 2460 HIP 83854 6.0 DD 168 12 26.0 +1.8 –1.9 135 12 28.3 +2.1 –0.9 117 23 3015 τ Cap 5.2 RD 143 10 51.6 +0.9 +0.1 226 10 54.9 +1.0 –0.4 244

Lunar Occultations LUNAR OCCULTATIONS DUNEDIN WELLINGTON E 170.5º S 45.9º E 174.8º S 41.3º

Date Star V Ph. El. of ZC Name Moon UT a b P UT a b P º h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º

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BAA Handbook 2016 Lunar Occultations 35

LUNAR OCCULTATIONS DUNEDIN WELLINGTON E 170.5º S 45.9º E 174.8º S 41.3º

Date Star V Ph. El. of ZC Name Moon UT a b P UT a b P º h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º

Jul. 2 648 δ Tau 3.8 RD 33 0 4.2 +1.5 +0.3 292 0 11.6 +1.5 +0.0 302 11 1821 γ Vir 2.8 DD 81 4 56.6 +1.2 –2.0 141 4 54.5 +1.7 –1.6 125 11 1821 γ Vir 2.8 RB 81 6 15.1 +2.1 +0.0 274 6 22.7 +2.0 –0.5 291 11 1825 HIP 62103 5.9 DD 81 6 18.5 +1.8 –0.7 114 6 25.4 +2.2 +0.1 97 22 3270 HIP 110009 5.8 RD 147 13 37.4 +1.8 –0.9 276 13 41.2 +2.3 –1.4 289

Aug. 4 Mercury 0.0 RB 25 20 57.5 –0.1 +2.8 209 26 832 119 Tau 4.3 RD 70 15 12.1 +0.2 –0.1 229 26 836 120 Tau 5.7 RD 70 15 33.1 –0.6 +2.4 193

Sep. 19 354 ξ Ari 5.5 RD 139 18 0.1 +1.0 +1.9 223 18 13.5 +1.0 +1.9 231 21 653 64 Tau 4.8 RD 112 18 33.7 +1.6 –0.9 321 18 29.6 +9.9 +9.9 345 23 947 71 Ori 5.2 RD 87 14 28.1 +0.5 –0.9 253 14 26.3 +0.7 –1.0 260

Oct. 25 1547 ρ Leo 3.8 RD 56 15 29.8 +0.2 –0.4 237

Nov. 3 2495 HIP 84792 6.0 DD 39 9 27.2 +0.7 –1.2 154 9 26.3 +0.3 –0.3 140 7 3015 τ Cap 5.2 DD 83 5 24.9 +1.3 +3.8 19 8 3188 λ Cap 5.6 DD 99 13 38.8 +0.1 +0.3 132 13 354 ξ Ari 5.5 DD 165 14 28.5 +1.3 +0.2 126 14 35.3 +1.1 +0.5 116 15 648 δ Tau 3.8 DB 166 11 31.2 +0.6 +0.9 26 11 40.0 +0.6 +1.9 18 15 648 δ Tau 3.8 RD 166 12 18.3 +2.1 –1.4 304 12 20.6 +2.5 –1.9 312 15 653 64 Tau 4.8 RD 165 13 1.6 +1.6 –0.1 265 13 9.1 +1.9 +0.0 271

Dec. 1 2686 HIP 90806 5.1 DD 28 22 31.5 +0.8 –1.4 89 22 31.2 +1.2 –0.6 72 2 2826 ρ Sgr 3.9 DD 38 21 47.7 +0.2 –1.4 91 21 43.6 +0.4 –0.9 75 5 3131 18 Aqr 5.5 DD 66 9 19.1 +0.5 +1.7 73 9 29.1 +0.4 +1.8 68 14 895 57 Ori 5.9 RD 173 10 17.4 +1.4 –1.5 291 10 16.8 +1.7 –1.6 297 14 913 64 Ori 5.1 RD 171 14 42.7 +1.6 +1.1 250 14 54.3 +1.6 +1.0 260 18 1466 ν Leo 5.3 RD 119 13 30.4 +1.1 –1.2 267 13 29.8 +1.3 –1.3 276

Page 38: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

36 Grazing Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2016

Lunar Occultations GRAZING LUNAR OCCULTATIONSThe map shows the tracks of stars to magnitude 7.8 which will graze the Moon’s limb and where the Moon is less than 85 per cent sunlit and has an altitude of more than 5°. The track commences in the West, and the Time (UT) is near the centre of the region. Tracks marked on the map as `A´ indicate the star is at a low altitude. Tracks marked with a `B´ indicate the bright limb is close. Small or negative cusp angles indicate the graze occurs at the terminator. General circumstances for the events can be judged from personal planetarium software, but those planning to observe a graze should request track details from the Director of the Computing Section. More details of grazes are given in the Lunar Section Circulars, or may be computed using software for non–commercial use from:

http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/occult4.htm http://www.doa-site.nl/

Observers positioned on or very near the tracks may see the star disappear and reappear several times at the edge of features on the Moon’s limb. The recorded times, to an accuracy of better than one second, continue to be valuable in the study and refinement of the shape and motion of the Moon, and in the detection of double or multiple stars, particularly during grazes. Potential observers are encouraged to contact Tim Haymes at [email protected] for additional information and advice on how to report graze timings. A brief notification of success or failure of the observing attempt would also be helpful.

Key to the Map

2016 Star N or S Cusp name ZC* Time† V Sunlit‡ limit angle† Limb§

h m % °1 κ Vir 2033 Jan. 4 03 38 4.2 -31 N 0.4 T2 HIP 1397 X297(d) Feb. 11 18 14 7.9 13+ N 1.1 B3 64 Ceti 322 Feb. 13 18 45 5.6 32+ S 0.8 T4 71 Tau 661(d) Apr. 10 19 20 4.5 15+ S 1.7 D5 81 Tau 678(d) Apr. 10 21 11 5.5 16+ S 0.7 T6 HIP 21257 685 Apr. 10 22 30 6.6 16+ N 0.0 T7 HIP 25950 (1) 834(d) Apr. 11 22 03 6.1 25+ S 0.0 T8 HIP 25950 (1) 7078(d) Apr. 11 22 03 6.5 25+ S 0.0 T9 20 Gem 1002(d) Apr. 12 22 57 6.9 36+ N 2.1 D10 HIP 93077 2758 Apr. 28 01 59 7.0 -70 S 7.4 D11 Aldebaran (2) 692 Jul. 29 12 11 0.9 -23 S 7.1 B12 HIP 33358 1057 Aug. 28 02 04 6.8 -18 N 2.6 D13 NP Gem (Var) 1072 Aug. 28 04 44 6.0 -18 N 2.4 D14 HIP 38975 1198 Aug. 29 04 29 6.0 -10 N 2.4 D15 HIP 96496 2865 Oct. 9 17 49 5.7 56+ N 2.3 D16 Aldebaran (3) 692 Oct. 19 07 40 0.9 -87 N 2.3 D17 HIP 45879 1386 Oct. 24 05 14 6.7 -35 N 2.5 D18 HIP 95159 2825 Nov. 5 18 11 6.2 29+ S 0.1 T19 Aldebaran 692 Dec. 13 05 31 0.9 99+ N 29.6 D20 74 Gem 1158 Dec. 16 03 03 5.0 -94 N 7.8 D

* Numbers taken from the Robertson Zodiacal Catalog or the Extended Zodiacal Catalog d = double, m = multiple, u = unconfirmed.† Precise times and cusp angles are dependent on location‡ a negative number indicates a waning Moon§ graze occurs against a [B]right limb, [D]ark limb, [T]erminator

[1] The two components of a double star (STF 730, HIP 25950). Graze tracks are separated by about 20km on the ground. The event occurs at the terminator.[2] Daylight at the bright limb (ill 23%, Alt 38d )[3] Daylight just after sunrise (ill 87%, Alt 30d )

Page 39: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Grazing Lunar Occultations 37

Lunar Occultations GRAZING LUNAR OCCULTATIONS

Key: Blue tracks denote the event occurs in daylight. Thick lines are Aldebaran graze tracks.

A denoted altitude is low B denotes bright limb nearby S denotes Sun interferes

Page 40: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

38 Appearance of Planets BAA Handbook 2016

APP

EA

RA

NC

E O

F PL

AN

ET

SA

PPE

AR

AN

CE

OF

PLA

NE

TS

Page 41: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Mercury 39

MERCURYMorning Apparition

Greatest Elongation W Superior Conjunction Feb. 7 (26°) Mar. 23 Jun. 5 (24°) Jul. 7 Sep. 28 (18°) Oct. 27When best seen: Northern Hemisphere: Late Jan. to mid Feb., mid Sep. to mid Oct. Southern Hemisphere: Late Jan. to early Mar., mid May to late Jun.

2016 RA Dec V Diam Ph. Elong. CM Δh m ° ' " ° ° au

Jan. 18 19 22.4 –18 37 +3.0 9.9 0.051 –7.8 205 0.67423 19 5.7 –19 19 +1.1 9.2 0.207 –16.9 240 0.73028 19 4.7 –20 06 +0.3 8.2 0.375 –22.3 271 0.813

Feb. 2 19 15.9 –20 41 +0.1 7.4 0.512 –24.8 299 0.9047 19 35.0 –20 56 +0.0 6.7 0.615 –25.5 325 0.991

12 19 58.9 –20 44 –0.1 6.2 0.694 –25.1 350 1.07017 20 25.8 –20 02 –0.1 5.9 0.755 –23.8 15 1.14022 20 54.7 –18 49 –0.1 5.6 0.804 –22.0 38 1.20127 21 24.9 –17 04 –0.2 5.3 0.847 –19.6 62 1.253

Mar. 3 21 56.0 –14 47 –0.4 5.2 0.885 –16.8 84 1.296

8 22 28.0 –11 58 –0.6 5.0 0.920 –13.5 107 1.33013 23 0.7 –08 38 –0.9 4.9 0.954 –9.8 129 1.35318 23 34.5 –04 47 –1.3 4.9 0.982 –5.6 150 1.36123 0 9.4 +00 –30 –1.8 4.9 0.998 –0.8 171 1.351

May 12 3 3.0 +16 26 +5.2 12.0 0.005 –3.7 72 0.554

17 2 54.5 +14 26 +3.5 11.7 0.047 –11.1 106 0.57022 2 51.3 +13 11 +2.3 10.9 0.118 –17.0 138 0.61127 2 54.8 +12 52 +1.5 10.0 0.202 –21.1 168 0.670

Jun. 1 3 5.0 +13 28 +1.0 9.0 0.293 –23.3 196 0.7456 3 21.3 +14 48 +0.5 8.0 0.389 –23.9 222 0.831

11 3 43.4 +16 39 +0.1 7.2 0.491 –23.1 247 0.92616 4 11.2 +18 47 –0.3 6.5 0.604 –20.9 271 1.02621 4 45.0 +20 57 –0.7 5.9 0.727 –17.5 294 1.12626 5 24.7 +22 48 –1.1 5.5 0.852 –13.0 315 1.217

Jul. 1 6 9.5 +23 57 –1.6 5.2 0.952 –7.4 335 1.287

6 6 56.9 +24 03 –2.1 5.0 0.997 –1.4 355 1.325Sep. 14 11 16.9 +01 14 +4.8 10.3 0.008 –2.0 358 0.648

19 11 4.8 +04 12 +2.3 9.4 0.089 –10.8 32 0.71224 11 5.1 +05 53 +0.5 8.1 0.278 –16.3 64 0.82329 11 19.3 +05 39 –0.5 7.0 0.512 –17.8 91 0.961

Oct. 4 11 43.7 +03 43 –0.9 6.1 0.720 –16.4 115 1.099

9 12 13.3 +00 41 –1.0 5.5 0.862 –13.4 138 1.21614 12 44.6 –02 52 –1.1 5.1 0.942 –9.7 160 1.30619 13 16.1 –06 32 –1.2 4.9 0.981 –6.0 182 1.37024 13 47.4 –10 06 –1.3 4.7 0.997 –2.5 204 1.411

Page 42: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

40 Mercury BAA Handbook 2016

MERCURYEvening Apparition

Greatest Elongation E Inferior Conjunction Apr. 18 (20°) Jan. 14, May 9 Aug. 16 (27°) Sep. 12, Dec. 28 Dec. 11 (21°) When best seen: Northern Hemisphere: Early Jan., Apr. Southern Hemisphere: Late July to early Sep., mid Nov. to late Dec.

2016 RA Dec V Diam. Ph. Elong. CM Δh m ° ' " ° ° au

Jan. –2 19 55.6 –22 09 –0.5 6.7 0.607 19.7 75 0.9983 20 10.9 –20 20 –0.1 7.7 0.399 18.4 102 0.8688 20 9.5 –18 53 +1.3 8.9 0.164 13.3 133 0.750

13 19 49.4 –18 20 +4.1 9.9 0.016 3.7 210 0.677Mar. 28 0 45.4 +04 07 –1.8 5.1 0.987 4.3 192 1.316

Apr. 2 1 21.9 +08 49 –1.5 5.3 0.923 9.5 212 1.2507 1 57.4 +13 12 –1.1 5.8 0.795 14.3 233 1.152

12 2 29.4 +16 51 –0.6 6.5 0.622 17.9 255 1.03117 2 55.2 +19 27 +0.0 7.4 0.441 19.6 279 0.90422 3 12.9 +20 54 +0.8 8.5 0.281 19.2 306 0.786

27 3 21.5 +21 11 +1.8 9.7 0.151 16.3 334 0.686May 2 3 21.0 +20 22 +3.2 10.9 0.057 11.1 6 0.612

7 3 13.4 +18 38 +5.1 11.8 0.007 4.1 38 0.568Jul. 11 7 43.6 +23 01 –1.7 5.0 0.982 4.6 15 1.329

16 8 26.9 +21 02 –1.1 5.1 0.930 10.1 35 1.305

21 9 5.9 +18 22 –0.7 5.3 0.865 14.8 56 1.26126 9 40.4 +15 18 –0.4 5.5 0.798 18.9 78 1.20531 10 10.8 +12 02 –0.2 5.8 0.734 22.1 101 1.143

Aug. 5 10 37.6 +08 43 +0.0 6.2 0.671 24.7 124 1.07610 11 0.8 +05 31 +0.2 6.6 0.607 26.4 148 1.006

15 11 20.4 +02 31 +0.3 7.2 0.537 27.3 173 0.93420 11 35.9 +00 06 +0.4 7.8 0.458 27.1 199 0.86125 11 46.3 –02 08 +0.7 8.5 0.366 25.5 227 0.78930 11 50.2 –03 18 +1.1 9.3 0.258 22.0 256 0.722

Sep. 4 11 46.0 –03 14 +1.9 10.0 0.141 16.2 288 0.667

9 11 33.5 –01 38 +3.5 10.5 0.041 7.8 322 0.637Oct. 29 14 18.5 –13 27 –1.3 4.7 1.000 0.9 227 1.434Nov. 3 14 49.7 –16 30 –1.0 4.6 0.994 3.9 249 1.441

8 15 21.0 –19 12 –0.8 4.7 0.983 6.8 272 1.43313 15 52.7 –21 30 –0.6 4.7 0.967 9.6 295 1.41118 16 24.7 –23 22 –0.5 4.9 0.945 12.2 318 1.376

23 16 57.1 –24 44 –0.5 5.0 0.914 14.6 341 1.32728 17 29.4 –25 34 –0.5 5.3 0.870 16.9 5 1.262

Dec. 3 18 0.7 –25 50 –0.5 5.7 0.805 18.9 28 1.1808 18 29.5 –25 31 –0.5 6.2 0.708 20.3 53 1.080

13 18 52.8 –24 39 –0.4 6.9 0.563 20.6 78 0.965

18 19 5.3 –23 24 +0.1 7.9 0.359 18.5 106 0.84223 19 0.2 –22 04 +1.6 9.1 0.133 12.4 138 0.73428 18 36.6 –20 56 +4.7 9.9 0.007 1.9 174 0.677

Page 43: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Venus 41

VENUS Superior Conjunction Jun. 6

2016 RA Dec. V Diam. Ph. Elong. Δh m ° ' " ° au

Jan. –7 15 22.2 –16 15 –4.1 15.0 0.747 –39.5 1.1153 16 11.6 –19 08 –4.1 14.1 0.777 –37.6 1.179

13 17 2.8 –21 12 –4.0 13.4 0.805 –35.6 1.24123 17 55.5 –22 18 –4.0 12.8 0.831 –33.5 1.299

Feb. 2 18 48.7 –22 19 –4.0 12.3 0.854 –31.3 1.35512 19 41.8 –21 14 –4.0 11.9 0.875 –29.1 1.40722 20 33.7 –19 06 –3.9 11.5 0.895 –26.8 1.456

Mar. 3 21 24.0 –16 03 –3.9 11.1 0.912 –24.5 1.50213 22 12.6 –12 14 –3.9 10.8 0.929 –22.2 1.54523 22 59.6 –07 53 –3.9 10.5 0.943 –19.8 1.584

Apr. 2 23 45.5 –03 10 –3.9 10.3 0.956 –17.3 1.61912 0 30.9 +01 43 –3.9 10.1 0.968 –14.8 1.65022 1 16.4 +06 33 –3.9 9.9 0.978 –12.3 1.677

May 2 2 2.7 +11 10 –3.9 9.8 0.986 –9.7 1.69912 2 50.3 +15 21 –3.9 9.7 0.993 –7.0 1.71622 3 39.6 +18 53 –3.9 9.7 0.997 –4.3 1.728

Jun. 1 4 30.8 +21 37 –3.9 9.6 1.000 –1.6 1.73411 5 23.5 +23 20 –3.9 9.6 1.000 1.1 1.73521 6 17.1 +23 55 –3.9 9.6 0.998 3.9 1.730

Jul. 1 7 10.7 +23 20 –3.9 9.7 0.993 6.7 1.71911 8 3.4 +21 37 –3.9 9.8 0.986 9.4 1.70221 8 54.5 +18 51 –3.9 9.9 0.977 12.2 1.67931 9 43.6 +15 13 –3.9 10.1 0.966 14.9 1.651

Aug. 10 10 30.9 +10 55 –3.9 10.3 0.952 17.6 1.61820 11 16.6 +06 08 –3.9 10.6 0.937 20.3 1.57930 12 1.4 +01 04 –3.9 10.9 0.920 22.9 1.537

Sep. 9 12 45.9 –04 05 –3.9 11.2 0.901 25.4 1.49019 13 30.8 –09 07 –3.9 11.6 0.881 27.9 1.44029 14 16.8 –13 49 –3.9 12.0 0.859 30.3 1.387

Oct. 9 15 4.4 –18 00 –4.0 12.5 0.836 32.6 1.33019 15 53.8 –21 26 –4.0 13.1 0.812 34.8 1.27129 16 45.1 –23 56 –4.0 13.8 0.786 37.0 1.210

Nov. 8 17 37.7 –25 19 –4.0 14.6 0.758 39.0 1.14618 18 30.6 –25 31 –4.1 15.4 0.729 40.9 1.08028 19 22.7 –24 30 –4.1 16.5 0.697 42.6 1.012

Dec. 8 20 12.8 –22 22 –4.2 17.7 0.663 44.2 0.94318 21 0.1 –19 16 –4.2 19.1 0.625 45.5 0.87128 21 44.1 –15 24 –4.3 20.9 0.584 46.5 0.799

Page 44: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

42 Mars BAA Handbook 2016

MARS

Opposition: May 22

2016 RA Dec. V Diam P Q Ph. DE DS LS h m ° ' " ° ° ° ° °

Jan. –7 13 31.4 –07 57 +1.3 5.3 36 292 0.918 21.2 25.1 863 13 52.5 –09 57 +1.2 5.6 37 291 0.912 19.7 25.2 90

13 14 13.4 –11 49 +1.1 6.0 38 290 0.907 18.1 25.1 9423 14 33.8 –13 31 +1.0 6.4 38 288 0.903 16.4 24.9 99

Feb. 2 14 53.7 –15 04 +0.8 6.9 38 287 0.900 14.6 24.5 10312 15 12.9 –16 26 +0.6 7.4 38 285 0.898 12.8 23.9 10822 15 31.0 –17 37 +0.4 8.1 38 284 0.899 11.1 23.2 112

Mar. 3 15 47.6 –18 38 +0.2 8.8 37 282 0.902 9.5 22.3 11713 16 2.3 –19 28 +0.0 9.7 36 281 0.907 8.1 21.2 12223 16 14.5 –20 09 –0.3 10.8 36 280 0.916 6.9 20.0 126

Apr. 2 16 23.5 –20 43 –0.6 12.0 35 279 0.928 6.2 18.7 13112 16 28.4 –21 09 –0.9 13.3 35 278 0.944 5.9 17.2 13622 16 28.4 –21 29 –1.2 14.8 35 279 0.962 6.1 15.5 141

May 2 16 23.1 –21 42 –1.5 16.2 35 280 0.980 7.0 13.8 14612 16 12.6 –21 46 –1.8 17.5 36 283 0.994 8.5 11.9 15122 15 58.5 –21 40 –2.1 18.3 37 343 1.000 10.4 9.9 156

Jun. 1 15 43.4 –21 25 –2.0 18.6 38 96 0.995 12.3 7.7 16211 15 30.6 –21 08 –1.8 18.2 38 100 0.979 13.9 5.5 16721 15 22.4 –20 59 –1.6 17.4 39 101 0.957 15.0 3.2 172

Jul. 1 15 19.9 –21 04 –1.4 16.3 39 102 0.932 15.4 0.9 17811 15 23.1 –21 25 –1.2 15.2 39 103 0.910 15.2 –1.5 18421 15 31.5 –21 59 –1.0 14.1 38 102 0.890 14.4 –4.0 18931 15 44.4 –22 44 –0.8 13.1 38 102 0.875 13.2 –6.4 195

Aug. 10 16 1.2 –23 33 –0.6 12.1 37 101 0.863 11.5 –8.8 20120 16 21.2 –24 21 –0.5 11.3 36 99 0.855 9.4 –11.2 20730 16 44.0 –25 03 –0.3 10.6 34 97 0.850 7.1 –13.5 213

Sep. 9 17 9.2 –25 35 –0.2 10.0 32 95 0.847 4.4 –15.7 21919 17 36.3 –25 53 –0.1 9.4 29 92 0.847 1.6 –17.7 22629 18 4.8 –25 52 +0.0 8.9 26 90 0.848 –1.4 –19.5 232

Oct. 9 18 34.6 –25 30 +0.2 8.4 22 87 0.850 –4.5 –21.2 23819 19 5.0 –24 45 +0.3 8.0 19 84 0.854 –7.6 –22.6 24429 19 35.7 –23 38 +0.3 7.6 14 81 0.858 –10.7 –23.7 251

Nov. 8 20 6.5 –22 07 +0.4 7.2 10 79 0.864 –13.6 –24.5 25718 20 37.1 –20 15 +0.5 6.9 5 76 0.870 –16.4 –25.0 26328 21 7.3 –18 04 +0.6 6.6 1 74 0.877 –19.0 –25.2 270

Dec. 8 21 36.9 –15 36 +0.7 6.3 356 72 0.883 –21.2 –25.0 27618 22 5.9 –12 53 +0.8 6.0 351 70 0.891 –23.1 –24.6 28228 22 34.4 –10 00 +0.9 5.8 346 69 0.898 –24.6 –23.8 288

Page 45: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Mars 43

LONGITUDE OF THE CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF MARSDay Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °1 61.8 123.8 207.9 277.5 3.8 89.5 180.8 252.1 316.2 26.2 84.0 148.92 52.2 114.3 198.5 268.2 354.9 80.7 171.6 242.6 306.5 16.5 74.2 139.03 42.5 104.7 189.0 258.9 345.9 71.8 162.5 233.2 296.9 6.8 64.4 129.24 32.9 95.1 179.6 249.7 337.0 63.0 153.3 223.7 287.3 357.1 54.6 119.35 23.2 85.6 170.1 240.5 328.1 54.2 144.1 214.2 277.7 347.3 44.8 109.4

6 13.6 76.0 160.7 231.2 319.1 45.3 134.9 204.7 268.0 337.6 35.0 99.57 3.9 66.5 151.3 222.0 310.2 36.5 125.7 195.2 258.4 327.9 25.2 89.68 354.3 56.9 141.8 212.8 301.3 27.6 116.5 185.7 248.8 318.2 15.4 79.79 344.7 47.4 132.4 203.6 292.5 18.7 107.3 176.2 239.1 308.4 5.5 69.810 335.0 37.9 123.0 194.4 283.6 9.9 98.0 166.7 229.5 298.7 355.7 59.9

11 325.4 28.3 113.6 185.2 274.7 1.0 88.8 157.2 219.8 289.0 345.9 50.012 315.8 18.8 104.2 176.1 265.8 352.1 79.5 147.7 210.2 279.2 336.1 40.113 306.1 9.3 94.8 166.9 257.0 343.2 70.2 138.2 200.5 269.5 326.3 30.214 296.5 359.7 85.4 157.8 248.1 334.3 60.9 128.6 190.8 259.8 316.4 20.315 286.9 350.2 76.0 148.6 239.3 325.3 51.6 119.1 181.2 250.0 306.6 10.4

16 277.3 340.7 66.6 139.5 230.5 316.4 42.3 109.5 171.5 240.3 296.8 0.517 267.7 331.2 57.3 130.4 221.6 307.4 33.0 100.0 161.8 230.5 286.9 350.518 258.1 321.7 47.9 121.3 212.8 298.5 23.7 90.4 152.2 220.8 277.1 340.619 248.5 312.2 38.5 112.2 204.0 289.5 14.3 80.9 142.5 211.0 267.3 330.720 238.8 302.7 29.2 103.1 195.2 280.5 5.0 71.3 132.8 201.3 257.4 320.8

21 229.2 293.2 19.8 94.0 186.4 271.5 355.6 61.7 123.1 191.5 247.6 310.822 219.6 283.7 10.5 84.9 177.6 262.5 346.3 52.1 113.5 181.7 237.7 300.923 210.1 274.2 1.1 75.9 168.7 253.4 336.9 42.6 103.8 172.0 227.9 291.024 200.5 264.7 351.8 66.8 159.9 244.4 327.5 33.0 94.1 162.2 218.0 281.025 190.9 255.2 342.5 57.8 151.1 235.4 318.1 23.4 84.4 152.4 208.1 271.1

26 181.3 245.8 333.2 48.8 142.3 226.3 308.7 13.8 74.7 142.7 198.3 261.227 171.7 236.3 323.9 39.8 133.5 217.2 299.3 4.2 65.0 132.9 188.4 251.228 162.1 226.8 314.6 30.8 124.7 208.1 289.9 354.6 55.3 123.1 178.5 241.329 152.5 217.4 305.3 21.8 115.9 199.0 280.4 345.0 45.6 113.3 168.7 231.430 143.0 296.0 12.8 107.1 189.9 271.0 335.4 35.9 103.5 158.8 221.4

31 133.4 286.7 98.3 261.6 325.8 93.8 211.5

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME

h ° h ° m ° m ° m ° 1 14.62 7 102.34 10 2.44 1 0.24 6 1.46 2 29.24 8 116.96 20 4.87 2 0.49 7 1.71 3 43.86 9 131.58 30 7.31 3 0.73 8 1.95 4 58.48 10 146.21 40 9.75 4 0.97 9 2.19 5 73.10 11 160.83 50 12.18 5 1.22 10 2.44 6 87.72 12 175.45 60 14.62

Page 46: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

44 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

ASTEROIDS

ORBITAL ELEMENTS

Observers with binoculars or small telescopes may find these data useful in locating some of the brighter asteroids.

The data below, for asteroids brighter than magnitude 9.5 at opposition, have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center’s Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at:

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

Equinox of the elements J2000Epoch of the elements JD 2457000.5, 2014 Dec. 09.0 TT

No. Name a e i Node Peri. M au º º º º 2 Pallas 2.772 0.231 34.841 173.096 309.930 78.229 4 Vesta 2.362 0.089 7.140 103.851 151.198 20.864 5 Astraea 2.574 0.191 5.369 141.595 358.929 260.190 7 Iris 2.387 0.231 5.523 259.621 145.461 72.149 8 Flora 2.202 0.156 5.888 110.922 285.467 71.839 10 Hygiea 3.139 0.115 3.841 283.421 312.458 228.704 11 Parthenope 2.453 0.100 4.630 125.567 196.018 227.837 15 Eunomia 2.644 0.187 11.739 293.187 97.554 277.530 18 Melpomene 2.295 0.219 10.134 150.472 227.932 173.781 27 Euterpe 2.347 0.172 1.584 94.800 356.540 256.566

WEBSITE

More information on asteroids and dwarf planets can be found on the website of the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section at:

http://www.britastro.org/asteroids/

Page 47: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Asteroids 45

ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES

The geocentric data below, for asteroids listed on p.44, have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at:

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

Equinox J2000Epoch JD 2457000.5, 2014 Dec. 09.0 TT

2 Pallas2016 RA Dec. Δ r Elong. V h m s º ' " au au º May 10 21 45 34.5 +11 03 02 3.473 3.408 77.9 10.4 20 21 51 07.3 +11 56 55 3.337 3.405 85.2 10.4 30 21 55 15.1 +12 45 06 3.199 3.402 92.8 10.3Jun. 9 21 57 47.9 +13 25 12 3.060 3.398 100.7 10.2 19 21 58 37.3 +13 54 22 2.926 3.394 108.9 10.0 29 21 57 37.7 +14 09 33 2.798 3.389 117.4 9.9Jul. 9 21 54 46.8 +14 07 25 2.681 3.383 126.3 9.8 19 21 50 10.6 +13 44 46 2.579 3.377 135.2 9.6 29 21 44 04.5 +12 59 24 2.496 3.370 143.8 9.4Aug. 8 21 36 53.6 +11 50 25 2.437 3.363 151.4 9.3 18 21 29 14.4 +10 19 21 2.405 3.355 156.0 9.2 28 21 21 47.4 +08 30 20 2.400 3.346 155.6 9.2Sep. 7 21 15 12.4 +06 29 26 2.424 3.337 150.3 9.3 17 21 10 04.2 +04 23 58 2.476 3.327 142.2 9.4 27 21 6 45.5 +02 20 51 2.552 3.317 133.0 9.6 Oct. 7 21 5 28.9 +00 25 46 2.649 3.307 123.4 9.7 17 21 6 17.2 -01 17 15 2.762 3.295 113.9 9.8 27 21 9 04.8 -02 45 56 2.887 3.283 104.7 10.0Nov. 6 21 13 43.2 -03 59 16 3.020 3.271 95.7 10.1 16 21 20 00.7 -04 57 12 3.156 3.258 87.0 10.2 26 21 27 44.2 -05 40 24 3.291 3.244 78.7 10.2Dec. 6 21 36 42.3 -06 09 44 3.422 3.230 70.5 10.3 16 21 46 43.3 -06 26 21 3.547 3.216 62.7 10.3

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46 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

4 Vesta2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 1 0 32 37.2 -04 24 14 2.365 2.497 86.0 7.9 11 0 42 31.9 -02 49 50 2.502 2.504 78.8 8.1 21 0 53 40.6 -01 11 10 2.637 2.511 71.9 8.2 31 1 05 50.8 +00 30 14 2.766 2.517 65.2 8.2Feb. 10 1 18 54.0 +02 13 08 2.890 2.523 58.8 8.3

Vesta in Conjunction to the Sun: 2016 May 24

Sep. 17 7 25 29.4 +20 20 15 2.834 2.564 64.3 8.3 27 7 39 25.6 +20 00 43 2.709 2.561 70.8 8.3Oct. 7 7 52 14.6 +19 40 49 2.579 2.558 77.6 8.2 17 8 03 43.8 +19 22 28 2.444 2.555 84.8 8.1 27 8 13 39.9 +19 07 50 2.308 2.551 92.4 7.9 Nov. 6 8 21 45.1 +18 59 22 2.172 2.547 100.5 7.8 16 8 27 41.0 +18 59 33 2.039 2.542 109.2 7.6 26 8 31 07.9 +19 10 46 1.913 2.537 118.6 7.4Dec. 6 8 31 45.5 +19 34 57 1.797 2.532 128.7 7.2 16 8 29 20.9 +20 12 46 1.696 2.527 139.5 7.0 Dec. 26 8 23 53.0 +21 03 09 1.614 2.521 151.1 6.8

5 Astraea2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 1 10 11 40.8 +09 19 16 1.331 2.087 128.2 10.1 11 10 12 47.5 +09 40 52 1.245 2.084 138.3 9.9 21 10 10 42.7 +10 25 28 1.175 2.082 149.2 9.6 31 10 05 43.8 +11 30 30 1.125 2.081 160.9 9.3Feb. 10 9 58 33.9 +12 49 33 1.099 2.082 173.2 9.0 20 9 50 28.7 +14 12 35 1.098 2.084 174.3 8.9Mar. 1 9 42 57.7 +15 28 48 1.122 2.087 162.1 9.3 11 9 37 20.1 +16 29 46 1.169 2.092 150.5 9.6 21 9 34 33.1 +17 10 34 1.236 2.098 139.7 9.9 31 9 34 58.4 +17 30 05 1.320 2.105 129.8 10.1 Apr. 10 9 38 32.2 +17 29 12 1.417 2.113 120.8 10.4

ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES

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BAA Handbook 2016 Asteroids 47

7 Iris2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Apr. 20 16 57 32.1 -25 02 22 2.110 2.901 134.2 10.3 30 16 52 42.2 -24 47 38 2.010 2.893 145.0 10.0May 10 16 45 23.0 -24 25 41 1.931 2.885 156.4 9.8 20 16 36 09.3 -23 56 10 1.877 2.875 168.1 9.5 30 16 25 53.3 -23 19 57 1.851 2.865 178.3 9.2 Jun. 9 16 15 36.8 -22 39 19 1.854 2.854 167.6 9.5 19 16 06 24.0 -21 57 57 1.884 2.842 155.9 9.7 29 15 59 04.2 -21 19 49 1.939 2.830 144.6 9.9Jul. 9 15 54 09.3 -20 48 11 2.016 2.816 133.8 10.1 19 15 51 54.3 -20 25 13 2.108 2.802 123.7 10.3 29 15 52 18.1 -20 11 34 2.214 2.788 114.2 10.4

8 Flora2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Apr. 30 17 53 03.1 -17 49 23 1.684 2.468 131.3 10.4May 10 17 49 51.9 -17 46 37 1.584 2.457 141.6 10.1 20 17 43 37.9 -17 47 09 1.503 2.446 152.6 9.9 30 17 34 46.1 -17 51 18 1.444 2.434 163.9 9.6Jun. 9 17 24 04.7 -17 59 01 1.410 2.422 174.0 9.4 19 17 12 47.5 -18 10 17 1.402 2.408 169.7 9.5 29 17 02 14.9 -18 25 16 1.420 2.395 158.4 9.7Jul. 9 16 53 38.0 -18 44 24 1.462 2.381 147.1 9.9 19 16 47 49.0 -19 08 10 1.525 2.366 136.3 10.0 29 16 45 11.1 -19 36 33 1.603 2.351 126.3 10.2 Aug. 8 16 45 49.1 -20 08 59 1.694 2.335 116.9 10.4

ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES

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48 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES

10 Hygiea2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 31 11 58 49.0 -04 47 11 2.263 2.978 128.5 10.4Feb. 10 11 56 34.5 -04 52 03 2.151 2.968 139.1 10.2 20 11 52 14.5 -04 41 46 2.060 2.958 150.1 10.0Mar. 1 11 46 09.7 -04 17 10 1.992 2.948 161.3 9.8 11 11 38 54.0 -03 40 33 1.951 2.938 171.9 9.5 21 11 31 15.3 -02 56 08 1.939 2.929 171.8 9.5 31 11 24 05.5 -02 09 19 1.955 2.919 161.3 9.7Apr. 10 11 18 10.3 -01 25 31 1.998 2.910 150.2 9.9 20 11 14 05.5 -00 49 29 2.064 2.901 139.4 10.1 30 11 12 09.6 -00 24 26 2.149 2.893 129.1 10.3 May 10 11 12 28.0 -00 12 05 2.250 2.884 119.5 10.4

11 Parthenope2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Aug. 8 0 56 00.9 +00 45 31 1.519 2.233 122.3 10.3 18 0 57 44.4 +00 19 33 1.434 2.238 131.6 10.1 28 0 56 33.0 -00 24 32 1.363 2.244 141.6 9.9Sep. 7 0 52 28.4 -01 24 10 1.309 2.251 152.3 9.6 17 0 45 57.5 -02 33 42 1.277 2.258 163.3 9.4 27 0 37 50.3 -03 45 04 1.269 2.266 172.2 9.2Oct. 7 0 29 15.9 -04 48 59 1.286 2.274 168.3 9.3 17 0 21 31.1 -05 37 04 1.328 2.282 157.7 9.6 27 0 15 37.7 -06 04 15 1.394 2.291 146.7 9.9Nov. 6 0 12 15.9 -06 08 39 1.480 2.300 136.2 10.1 16 0 11 42.7 -05 51 09 1.582 2.309 126.2 10.4

15 Eunomia2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 1 0 26 51.7 +17 03 51 1.862 2.153 93.2 9.4 11 0 41 45.0 +17 32 05 1.978 2.157 86.6 9.5 21 0 57 58.3 +18 11 32 2.096 2.162 80.5 9.6 31 1 15 17.7 +18 59 27 2.213 2.169 74.5 9.8Feb. 10 1 33 33.9 +19 53 16 2.328 2.176 68.8 9.8 20 1 52 39.2 +20 50 36 2.442 2.184 63.3 9.9Mar. 1 2 12 25.9 +21 49 02 2.552 2.194 58.0 10.0

Eunomia in Conjunction to the Sun: 2016 Jun 29

Nov. 16 10 15 41.8 +06 42 21 2.626 2.648 80.5 10.4 26 10 23 20.0 +05 15 40 2.509 2.668 88.2 10.4Dec. 6 10 29 05.9 +03 55 10 2.391 2.688 96.5 10.3 16 10 32 45.4 +02 42 41 2.275 2.707 105.3 10.1 26 10 34 04.8 +01 40 13 2.164 2.726 114.7 10.0

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BAA Handbook 2016 Asteroids 49

18 Melpomene

2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au °Jun. 9 0 08 19.6 +00 47 27 1.871 1.903 76.1 10.4 19 0 27 44.8 +02 02 50 1.759 1.885 80.7 10.3 29 0 46 46.4 +03 07 48 1.649 1.868 85.5 10.2Jul. 9 1 05 14.9 +03 59 43 1.541 1.853 90.4 10.0 19 1 22 57.5 +04 35 53 1.436 1.839 95.6 9.9 29 1 39 39.1 +04 53 44 1.335 1.827 101.2 9.7Aug. 8 1 54 57.1 +04 50 29 1.238 1.816 107.1 9.5 18 2 08 25.4 +04 23 51 1.147 1.808 113.5 9.3 28 2 19 35.1 +03 32 17 1.063 1.801 120.6 9.0Sep. 7 2 27 51.1 +02 15 19 0.989 1.796 128.2 8.8 17 2 32 44.8 +00 35 17 0.926 1.794 136.5 8.6 27 2 33 57.5 -01 22 01 0.876 1.793 145.1 8.3Oct. 7 2 31 30.4 -03 26 04 0.844 1.794 153.4 8.1 17 2 26 04.2 -05 21 43 0.830 1.797 159.5 8.0 27 2 18 52.7 -06 52 59 0.836 1.803 160.1 8.0 Nov. 6 2 11 33.1 -07 47 02 0.863 1.810 154.8 8.2 16 2 05 43.3 -07 58 09 0.909 1.819 146.8 8.4 26 2 02 29.3 -07 28 28 0.972 1.830 138.1 8.7Dec. 6 2 02 25.1 -06 24 21 1.050 1.842 129.7 8.9 16 2 05 35.8 -04 54 09 1.140 1.857 121.7 9.2

26 2 11 44.8 -03 05 55 1.240 1.872 114.3 9.5

27 Euterpe

2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 1 6 05 16.9 +23 28 35 0.965 1.943 171.4 8.7 11 5 55 59.3 +23 41 24 0.995 1.945 159.1 9.1 21 5 49 40.2 +23 51 36 1.046 1.949 147.5 9.4 31 5 47 14.0 +24 00 30 1.116 1.953 136.8 9.7Feb. 10 5 48 53.1 +24 08 42 1.200 1.960 127.0 10.0 20 5 54 25.4 +24 15 53 1.296 1.967 118.2 10.2

ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES

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50 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS

OCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY ASTEROIDS AND DWARF PLANETSFavourable events predicted by Edwin Goffin: Max Star Asteroid Asteroid Star Date UT ΔM Duration Magnitude Diameter hh:mm s km(41) Daphne UCAC4-459-006417 Jan-17 22:41 3.0 22.3 9.67 174see page 51 for Chart

In the table above: ΔM The magnitude drop during occultation. Max Duration Duration of the occultation for an observer at the centre of the shadow path Star Magnitude Visual magnitude of the star

Regional predictionsPredictions are selected for :Region 3 = Europe, North Africa and Middle East, where stars are brighter than V= 11.1, with maximum duration of 2 seconds and longer, and magnitude drop greater than 2.0. These are selected from E. Goffin’s global predictions.

TNO Global predictionsSelected TNOs events all regions

Major planetsAll major planet events are listed.

Prediction uncertaintiesPredictions published a year in advance can be uncertain by several path widths. It’s desirable to monitor appulses even when located outside nominal geographical limits as, on some occasions, the unexpected can be found. e.g. double stars or unknown satellites.

Event durationThe duration of an occultation depends on where the observer is positioned within the track. Negative and positive results are published on EURASTER.NET website : http://www.euraster.net/results/index.html – where there is a link to the BEST results. The (130) Elektra event from UK observers in 2010 is included.

Recording and reporting an observationObservations should be timed with a UT accuracy of typically 0.1 to 0.3 sec and reported to the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section and the PLANOCCULT list server. Negative observations (no occultation) should also be reported.European observers are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the PLANOCCULT mailing list for last-minute updates and observation reports : - visit : http://vps.vvs.be/mailman/listinfo/planoccult and follow the instructions to use the list server.

For more up-to-date information on predictions, finder charts and occultation news, consult the following home pages : - Steve Preston (IOTA) for global asteroidal occultations : http://www.asteroidoccultations.com/ - Oliver Klös European events : http://call4obs.iota-es.de/

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ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS

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52 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

Jan. 2 03 58 209 Dido 0.08 UCAC4-476-050158 10.81 19.4 3.1 3 4 03 34 622 Esther 0.05 UCAC4-511-025123 10.19 4.5 2.3 3 7 21 24 407 Arachne 0.07 UCAC4-503-052647 9.77 12.8 3.4 3 15 22 48 592 Bathseba 0.04 UCAC4-479-046847 10.88 6.2 2.9 3 16 21 28 34746 2001 QE91 0.01 UCAC4-547-014379 10.21 3.0 7.0 3 17 07 54 528 Rezia 0.05 HIP 49947 9.13 7.5 5.3 3 17 22 41 41 Daphne 0.10 UCAC4-459-006417 9.67 22.3 3.0 3 22 04 35 332 Siri 0.03 UCAC4-574-041205 11.16 3.3 2.6 3 26 23 57 1963 Bezovec 0.05 UCAC4-505-007188 10.52 3.5 3.5 3 27 00 16 723 Hammonia 0.02 UCAC4-531-010118 9.57 14.0 5.0 3 27 19 01 1867 Deiphobus 0.04 UCAC4-568-030390 10.48 8.0 5.5 3Feb. 1 01 55 866 Fatme 0.05 HIP 34030 8.58 8.4 5.5 3 10 17 49 795 Fini 0.04 UCAC4-602-006630 10.87 4.4 4.5 3 22 18 40 329 Svea 0.06 UCAC4-471-017276 11.15 9.3 2.9 3 24 21 53 835 Olivia 0.02 UCAC4-563-041035 10.97 7.6 5.7 3 28 19 02 357 Ninina 0.07 UCAC4-532-050221 10.93 7.4 2.5 3Mar. 3 19 57 36 Atalante 0.09 HIP 39219 8.42 10.7 4.1 3 10 23 14 3139 Shantou 0.02 HIP 33089 8.08 10.5 8.1 3 11 16 49 34746 2001 QE91 0.01 UCAC4-559-014630 9.86 3.5 7.9 3 14 22 52 2356 Hirons 0.03 UCAC4-468-039460 10.76 5.5 5.2 3Apr. 11 21 14 164 Eva 0.06 UCAC4-581-048142 11.05 6.5 3.3 3 14 21 37 168 Sibylla 0.08 HIP 54675 9.41 16.8 4.2 3 15 21 43 202 Chryseïs 0.04 UCAC4-555-038072 11.00 3.9 2.0 3May 4 02 50 503 Evelyn 0.06 UCAC4-429-056177 10.90 8.1 2.3 3 17 20 40 4489 1988AK 0.02 UCAC4-478-056263 9.19 4.0 7.1 3 21 00 57 1796 Riga 0.04 UCAC4-485-115373 10.82 8.5 4.7 3 23 00 38 583 Klotilde 0.06 UCAC4-330-083244 9.87 6.6 3.5 3Jun. 30 21 33 1264 Letaba 0.06 UCAC4-533-128732 10.90 6.9 2.3 3Aug. 6 02 19 526 Jena 0.03 UCAC4-365-185923 10.89 3.2 4.1 3 9 03 37 286 Iclea 0.04 UCAC4-482-008843 11.16 3.2 3.9 3 13 02 29 426 Hippo 0.06 UCAC4-650-021131 9.86 4.8 4.5 3 16 22 20 227 Philosophia 0.06 UCAC4-400-136664 9.95 6.9 3.2 3 27 22 11 58 Concordia 0.06 UCAC4-362-082822 10.47 8.7 3.4 3Sep. 1 20 00 159 Aemilia 0.07 UCAC4-361-201322 10.31 11.8 3.0 3 4 02 05 218 Bianca 0.03 UCAC4-491-008824 11.05 3.7 3.0 3 13 19 06 76 Freia 0.06 UCAC4-367-067147 11.07 6.4 3.7 3 29 03 45 705 Erminia 0.06 HIP 44331 6.46 4.4 7.6 3Oct. 3 23 33 143 Adria 0.04 UCAC4-596-044303 11.03 3.7 3.8 3 8 21 52 32 Pomona 0.06 UCAC4-491-000903 9.21 6.4 2.2 3 8 22 47 2010 RO64 0.01 HIP 6687 6.65 14.5 4.8 3 9 04 20 113 Amalthea 0.03 UCAC4-545-036092 10.42 3.1 3.0 3 12 01 37 9 Metis 0.13 HIP 45826 7.40 7.2 3.6 3 25 06 49 530 Turandot 0.04 UCAC4-533-043437 10.38 10.0 5.1 3Nov. 1 19 22 193 Ambrosia 0.07 UCAC4-670-033289 9.42 8.5 2.7 3 8 02 31 564 Dudu 0.03 UCAC4-574-017385 10.43 4.3 5.3 3 13 00 51 564 Dudu 0.03 UCAC4-576-016651 10.43 3.8 5.2 3 14 05 28 102 Miriam 0.08 UCAC4-540-018679 9.85 12.1 2.9 3 16 05 28 33 Polyhymnia 0.03 UCAC4-473-047055 10.59 3.2 4.6 3 21 04 09 105 Artemis 0.07 UCAC4-406-054143 10.90 3.9 2.8 3 24 22 40 927 Ratisbona 0.04 UCAC4-562-003601 10.67 6.4 4.2 3Dec. 14 05 51 9142 Rhesus 0.01 UCAC4-517-047274 10.56 3.4 7.6 3 16 00 06 861 Aida 0.04 FK6 2577 6.73 5.7 8.1 3 17 17 41 444 Gyptis 0.13 UCAC4-469-002499 10.04 48.9 2.1 3

ASTEROID OCCULTATIONSREGIONAL PREDICTIONS

Minor Planet Diam Max. Mag.Date Time No. Name (IRAS) Star ID V Dur. drop RoV2016 h m " sec.

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BAA Handbook 2016 Asteroids 53

Mar. 24 19 20 20000 Varuna 0.03 UCAC4-585-041384 14.10 101.4 6.1 5 28 05 52 10199 Chariklo 0.02 UCAC4-281-197089 14.04 30.4 4.8 2Apr. 22 01 28 50000 Quaoar 0.04 UCAC4-373-110044 13.93 106.5 5.0 3Jun. 22 23 17 134340 Pluto 0.10 UCAC4-345-181667 14.34 101.3 0.8 3, 6 30 17 56 55576 Amycus 0.01 UCAC4-288-183652 14.92 5.1 5.8 8Jul. 5 15 57 55576 Amycus 0.01 UCAC4-288-182412 14.81 5.2 6.0 8 7 01 09 10370 Hylonome 0.01 UCAC4-355-123292 14.09 4.7 7.6 2 7 05 53 10199 Chariklo 0.02 UCAC4-279-186300 12.86 11.2 5.6 2 23 05 15 50000 Quaoar 0.04 UCAC4-373-104756 14.52 62.4 4.3 1Oct. 1 10 08 10199 Chariklo 0.02 UCAC4-285-174081 14.72 19.5 4.2 8Dec. 15 13 40 54598 Bienor 0.01 PPMX 3828109 14.77 7.8 4.8 5

MAJOR PLANET PREDICTIONS

ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS

TNO GLOBAL PREDICTIONS

Minor Planet Diam Max. Mag.Date Time No. Name (IRAS) Star ID V Dur. drop RoV2016 h m " sec.

Planet Max. Date Time Name Diam Star ID V Dur. RoV2016 h m " sec. Feb. 11 02 27 Mars 7.38 UCAC4-369-069363 10.04 378.9 4Apr. 12 16 00 Jupiter 42.65 HIP 54057 7.42 12978.9 5,6,7,8Jul. 19 01 58 Mars 14.30 HIP 75755 9.26 1433.5 1Aug. 30 05 12 Mars 10.59 UCAC4-325-087887 9.60 463.1 1Oct. 10 13 32 Mars 8.34 HIP 91380 8.20 291.8 7, 8 25 02 48 Mars 7.75 UCAC4-330-190712 9.85 261.0 1Dec. 2 16 39 Mars 6.47 UCAC4-365-187347 9.58 206.7 3 10 17 29 Jupiter 33.55 HIP 64147 8.67 5312.9 8 19 18 12 Venus 19.44 HIP 104230 8.43 413.1 4

Using the tables

In the table of predictions : Time = UT of closest geocentric approach. Region of Visibility codes (RoV):

1 = North and Central America 2 = South America 3 = Europe, North Africa and the Middle East 4 = South Africa 5 = Russia 6 = Pakistan, India, and SE Asia 7 = Japan, China and Taiwan 8 = Australia and New Zealand

Where diameters are not listed in the IRAS catalogue, an assumed value of A, the geometric albedo, has been used to calculate a value for the asteroid diameter. Predictions computed by Edwin Goffin. Track details are available from the Flemish Astronomical Association ftp site:

ftp://ftp.ster.kuleuven.ac.be/dist/vvs/asteroids/2016

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54 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIESLIGHTCURVE OPPORTUNITIES

Based on an analysis of both numbered and unnumbered objects in the Minor Planet Center MPCORB data-base by Brian D. Warner.Asteroids are listed which at opposition reach magnitude 14.5 or brighter, and for which the rotation period is very uncertain or unknown.Where a 'U' code is given as '1' or ‘1+’, the values given are based on fragmentary lightcurves and are likely to be incorrect.

Period/amplitude data are taken from the list maintained by Brian D. Warner and Alan W. Harris of the Space Science Institute and Petr Pravec of the Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic, at:

http://www.minorplanet.info/lightcurvedatabase.html

Asteroid Opposition Amplitude Number Name Date V Δ Dec. U Period of Magnitude m d au ° Code h Variation1271 Isergina 01 03.2 14.3 1.971 +19 2535 Hameenlinna 02 12.0 14.3 1.084 +11 2827 Vellamo 03 25.5 14.4 1.243 –7 1715 Salli 03 26.0 14.2 1.055 +10 1 11 0.53002 Delasalle 05 13.3 14.3 0.954 –7 1259 Ogyalla 05 17.1 13.9 1.701 –18 1 12 0.35355 Akihiro 05 22.9 14.5 0.966 –19 2271 Kiso 05 25.4 14.4 1.689 –16 0.12 2009 DL46 05 26.0 13.5 0.016 –31 722 Frieda 05 27.9 13.9 0.956 –26 0.04 318 Magdalena 06 01.5 14.3 2.440 –7 1 59.5 0.1117711 1997 WA7 06 15.0 14.5 1.106 –17 6975 Hiroaki 06 18.6 14.4 1.094 –31 2831 Stevin 06 24.4 14.4 1.063 –25 1937 Locarno 06 28.5 13.6 1.027 –31 1821 Aconcagua 07 06.6 14.4 0.885 –24 1393 Sofala 07 06.9 14.5 1.222 –31 1 7.8 0.036916 Lewispearce 07 13.9 14.1 1.152 –36 1195 Orangia 07 16.0 14.5 0.880 –18 3500 Kobayashi 07 20.5 13.8 0.818 –23

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Cont'd

Asteroid Opposition Amplitude Number Name Date V Δ Dec. U Period of Magnitude m d au ° Code h Variation2349 Kurchenko 07 27.9 14.4 1.510 –15 991 McDonalda 07 28.3 14.5 1.640 –22 37802 1997 XD11 08 01.0 14.5 0.492 –19 1007 Pawlowia 08 01.6 14.3 1.583 –18 1 8.23 0.0218301 Konyukhov 08 02.8 14.4 0.874 –18 7456 Doressoundiram 08 07.5 14.4 0.830 –25 5977 1992 TH1 08 11.2 14.4 1.328 –13 2286 Fesenkov 08 12.9 14.4 0.983 –17 437 Rhodia 08 17.3 11.8 0.795 +1 1 56 0.382109 Dhotel 08 19.3 13.8 1.028 –9 1 32 0.3 19516 1998 QF80 08 27.0 14.5 0.733 +8 2989 Imago 08 27.2 14.3 0.848 –17 4963 Kanroku 08 27.8 14.3 1.325 –9 3925 Tret'yakov 08 28.8 14.3 1.615 –6 2451 Dollfus 08 31.5 14.4 1.379 –7 1 48 0.1 8778 1931 TD3 09 08.2 14.5 0.739 –22 4775 Hansen 09 12.3 12.5 0.311 +7 319 Leona 09 27.0 13.7 1.839 +2 1 9.6 0.16016 1991 PA11 10 04.7 14.3 0.847 +4 58143 1983 VD7 10 14.7 14.3 0.938 +2 2022 West 10 21.7 14.4 1.395 +15 957 Camelia 10 22.5 13.8 1.826 +20 1+ 150 0.3496 Gryphia 10 23.7 13.6 1.149 +11 1 18 0.052580 Smilevskia 11 11.5 14.5 0.967 +15 703 Noemi 11 12.7 13.7 0.902 +16 2407 Haug 12 11.0 14.4 1.757 +27 4293 Masumi 12 13.1 14.4 1.192 +30 0.12068 Dangreen 12 28.0 14.1 1.572 +23 0.04467 Laura 12 28.1 14.4 1.715 +31 1 36.8 0.14

ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES

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56 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2016

ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES AT LOW PHASE ANGLE AND AT OPPOSITION

Asteroids have been selected on the following criteria: V<14.0, Phase Angle ≤0.20°

Asteroid Opposition Minimum Maximum Number Name Date Phase Angle V Dec. Period Change in m d ° ° h Magnitude140 Siwa 01 09.2 0.02 12.8 +22 34.407 0.151069 Planckia 02 12.4 0.06 12.9 +14 8.665 0.42169 Zelia 03 15.2 0.01 12.8 +2 14.537 0.1494 Aurora 03 23.3 0.02 12.0 –1 7.22 0.18160 Una 03 24.9 0.15 12.7 –1 11.033 0.23238 Hypatia 03 25.0 0.07 12.3 –2 8.875 0.1766 Maja 03 28.5 0.01 13.2 –3 9.735 0.45425 Cornelia 05 20.0 0.08 13.1 –20 17.56 0.19449 Hamburga 06 21.9 0.14 13.1 –24 18.263 0.17462 Eriphyla 07 04.5 0.08 12.7 –23 8.64 0.39868 Lova 07 19.5 0.07 13.7 –21 41.3 0.4064 Angelina 07 25.2 0.08 11.6 –20 8.752 0.42159 Aemilia 08 09.1 0.12 12.7 –16 24.476 0.264613 Mamoru 08 19.5 0.16 13.9 –13 5.388 0.411682 Karel 08 21.0 0.20 13.6 –12 3.375 0.47149 Medusa 08 24.0 0.13 12.7 –11 26.023 0.562264 Sabrina 09 01.8 0.10 13.8 –8 43.41 0.30167 Urda 09 11.2 0.05 12.6 –5 13.07 0.39319 Leona 09 27.0 0.09 13.7 +2 9.6 0.10518 Halawe 10 15.6 0.16 13.1 +9 14.31 0.55551 Ortrud 10 19.7 0.08 12.9 +10 13.05 0.18496 Gryphia 10 23.7 0.16 13.6 +11 18 0.051219 Britta 11 02.6 0.17 13.2 +15 5.575 0.75849 Ara 11 09.9 0.11 12.6 +17 4.116 0.53178 Belisana 11 15.7 0.05 12.4 +19 12.323 0.18468 Lina 11 26.3 0.16 13.4 +21 16.33 0.181177 Gonnessia 12 03.2 0.12 13.8 +23 30.51 0.25424 Gratia 12 30.9 0.02 12.4 +23 19.47 0.32

Page 59: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Asteroids 57

NEO CLOSE APPROACHES TO EARTHPrepared from data on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Near Earth Object Program website at:

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/This lists asteroids predicted to pass within 0.05 au (about 7.5 million km) of the Earth attaining magnitude 20.0 or brighter during 2016 (as of 2015 Jan 23). Especially favourable approaches are shown in bold. Newly-discovered objects may be added to the list available via the JPL NEO site, so do check this for recent updates. The Nominal Miss Distance is given in Lunar Distances (LD) and Astronomical Units (au). The apparent Elongation and Declination are geocentric. Ephemerides should be obtained near the time of observation from the MPC via its Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at:

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html For your local ephemerides, choose a location or observatory near your site. Note that the positions of some objects are subject to significant uncertainty.

Object Close Nominal Relative Magnitude Date Elongation Declination Approach Miss Distance Velocity H (brightest) when when when Date* brightest brightest brightest LD** au km s–1 ° °85990 Jan. 6.0 12.6 0.0324 9.62 20.0 14.5 Jan. 9 140 –182013 VA10 Feb. 7 8.5 0.0218 25.85 22.1 15.7 Feb. 6 144 +432014 EK24 Feb. 14.5 13.8 0.0356 3.15 23.2 17.4 Feb. 20 148 +412008 DL5 Feb. 27.7 17.9 0.0459 17.50 21.8 17.2 Feb. 29 130 –142011 EH17 Mar. 1.8 11.1 0.0284 16.71 24.6 18.3 Mar . 3 157 –152013 TX68 Mar. 5 1.3 0.0034 14.44 25.3 15.1 Mar. 6 128 +252010 FX9 Mar 19 6.9 0.0176 11.06 24.2 17.8 Mar. 20 128 +47252P/LINEAR*** Mar. 21.5 13.9 0.0357 10.56 n/a 11.4 Mar. 21 95 –741994 UG Mar. 25.3 17.3 0.0444 7.38 21.0 17.3 Mar. 14 111 +552008 BX2 Mar. 30.1 19.1 0.0492 8.53 23.7 18.8 Mar. 23 151 –20363599 Apr. 11.7 19.3 0.0496 24.51 21.0 17.1 Apr. 9 117 +362005 GR33 Apr 13.1 7.8 0.0199 15.88 22.0 15.9 Apr. 12 113 –532003 KO2 Apr. 25.0 17.9 0.0460 16.27 20.2 17.1 Apr. 28 87 +162002 CX58 Apr. 29 16.7 0.0428 11.04 22.1 17.8 May 3 119 +372006 UK May 3.6 17.8 0.0458 16.22 20.1 15.8 May 6 124 –29388945 May 5.4 13.1 0.0337 9.65 20.4 14.8 May 2 141 –212009 DL46 May 24.5 5.9 0.0152 6.45 21.6 13.8 May 25 156 –232010 NY65 Jun. 24.4 10.7 0.0275 12.95 21.4 16.9 Jun. 27 100 +302005 OH3 Aug. 3 5.8 0.0150 3.53 26.0 18.0 Aug. 3 157 –352009 ES Sep. 5.8 18.8 0.0484 18.06 20.5 15.6 Sep. 6 141 –292009 UG Sep. 30 7.3 0.0188 8.89 23.2 15.9 Oct. 2 163 –92011 DU Oct. 6.8 15.2 0.0391 8.71 21.1 16.7 Oct. 13 122 –4413260 Oct. 27.7 10.1 0.0259 10.35 19.4 15.1 Oct. 24 90 +76164121 Oct. 31.4 13.5 0.0348 24.06 16.2 10.8 Oct. 30 129 +432002 UQ12 Nov. 7.3 19.4 0.0500 20.08 22.2 18.0 Nov. 4 131 –232004 KB Nov. 10 10.0 0.0257 13.52 21.1 17.4 Nov. 7 82 +661997 XR2 Nov. 18.6 18.5 0.0476 6.35 20.9 16.0 Nov. 29 158 +282008 UL90 Dec. 12.6 15.2 0.0391 13.15 18.6 16.7 Dec. 18 62 +52006 XD2 Dec. 21.3 18.9 0.0485 13.59 21.0 16.8 Dec. 17 121 +382012 YK Dec. 30.1 16.9 0.0433 10.51 23.0 18.8 Dec. 27 107 +44

* Dates are quoted to the nearest day if uncertainty in close approach date is greater than ±0.2 day** Lunar Distance: 1.0 LD = 3.844 x 105 km or 0.00257 au *** 5th closest pass by a comet on record. Total magnitude when brightest indicated

Page 60: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

58 Jupiter BAA Handbook 2016

JUPITER Opposition: March 8 Conjunction: September 26

2016 RA Dec. Mag Equat Diam.

Polar Diam.

DE Δ h m º ' " " º au

Jan. 3 11 37.0 +3 51 –2.2 39.3 36.7 –1.8 5.01813 11 37.1 +3 53 –2.2 40.5 37.8 –1.9 4.87223 11 36.0 +4 03 –2.3 41.6 38.9 –1.9 4.740

Feb. 2 11 33.8 +4 20 –2.4 42.6 39.8 –1.9 4.62712 11 30.5 +4 44 –2.4 43.5 40.6 –1.9 4.53722 11 26.5 +5 11 –2.5 44.1 41.2 –1.9 4.474

Mar. 3 11 21.9 +5 42 –2.5 44.4 41.5 –1.9 4.44113 11 17.1 +6 13 –2.5 44.4 41.5 –1.9 4.43823 11 12.4 +6 42 –2.5 44.1 41.3 –1.8 4.467

Apr. 2 11 8.2 +7 08 –2.4 43.6 40.7 –1.8 4.52512 11 4.8 +7 29 –2.4 42.8 40.0 –1.7 4.61022 11 2.2 +7 43 –2.3 41.8 39.1 –1.6 4.717

May 2 11 0.7 +7 50 –2.3 40.7 38.1 –1.6 4.84412 11 0.4 +7 50 –2.2 39.6 37.0 –1.6 4.98522 11 1.2 +7 43 –2.1 38.4 35.9 –1.5 5.135

Jun. 1 11 3.1 +7 29 –2.1 37.3 34.8 –1.5 5.29111 11 5.9 +7 09 –2.0 36.2 33.8 –1.5 5.44821 11 9.7 +6 43 –1.9 35.2 32.9 –1.5 5.602

Jul. 1 11 14.3 +6 12 –1.9 34.3 32.1 –1.6 5.75111 11 19.6 +5 37 –1.8 33.5 31.3 –1.6 5.89121 11 25.5 +4 58 –1.8 32.7 30.6 –1.6 6.02031 11 32.0 +4 16 –1.7 32.1 30.0 –1.7 6.136

Aug. 10 11 38.9 +3 30 –1.7 31.6 29.6 –1.7 6.23520 11 46.1 +2 43 –1.7 31.2 29.2 –1.8 6.31830 11 53.6 +1 53 –1.7 30.9 28.9 –1.9 6.382

Sep. 9 12 1.4 +1 03 –1.7 30.7 28.7 –1.9 6.42619 12 9.2 +0 11 –1.7 30.6 28.6 –2.0 6.45029 12 17.2 – 0 40 –1.7 30.6 28.6 –2.1 6.452

Oct. 9 12 25.1 – 1 31 –1.7 30.6 28.7 –2.2 6.43419 12 32.9 – 2 21 –1.7 30.8 28.8 –2.2 6.39429 12 40.6 – 3 09 –1.7 31.1 29.1 –2.3 6.334

Nov. 8 12 48.1 – 3 56 –1.7 31.5 29.5 –2.4 6.25318 12 55.2 – 4 39 –1.7 32.0 30.0 –2.5 6.15428 13 1.9 – 5 20 –1.8 32.6 30.5 –2.6 6.038

Dec. 8 13 8.1 – 5 56 –1.8 33.4 31.2 –2.6 5.90718 13 13.6 – 6 28 –1.9 34.2 32.0 –2.7 5.76328 13 18.4 – 6 54 –1.9 35.1 32.9 –2.8 5.610

Description of the headings in the table can be found on page 110.

Page 61: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Jupiter 59

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITERSYSTEM I

Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.º º º º º º º º º º º º

1 56.2 274.0 177.1 35.5 93.0 304.9 356.5 204.4 51.9 102.2 311.2 4.22 214.1 72.0 335.2 193.5 250.8 102.7 154.2 2.1 209.6 259.9 109.0 162.03 12.1 230.0 133.2 351.4 48.7 260.4 311.9 159.7 7.2 57.6 266.7 319.84 170.1 28.1 291.2 149.4 206.5 58.1 109.6 317.4 164.9 215.3 64.5 117.65 328.0 186.1 89.3 307.4 4.4 215.9 267.2 115.0 322.6 13.0 222.2 275.4

6 126.0 344.1 247.3 105.3 162.2 13.6 64.9 272.7 120.2 170.7 19.9 73.27 284.0 142.2 45.3 263.3 320.1 171.4 222.6 70.4 277.9 328.4 177.7 231.08 81.9 300.2 203.4 61.2 117.9 329.1 20.3 228.0 75.6 126.0 335.4 28.89 239.9 98.2 1.4 219.2 275.7 126.9 178.0 25.7 233.2 283.7 133.2 186.610 37.9 256.3 159.4 17.1 73.5 284.6 335.7 183.3 30.9 81.4 290.9 344.5

11 195.9 54.3 317.5 175.0 231.4 82.3 133.3 341.0 188.6 239.2 88.7 142.312 353.8 212.4 115.5 333.0 29.2 240.0 291.0 138.7 346.3 36.9 246.4 300.113 151.8 10.4 273.5 130.9 187.0 37.8 88.7 296.3 143.9 194.6 44.2 97.914 309.8 168.4 71.5 288.8 344.8 195.5 246.4 94.0 301.6 352.3 202.0 255.715 107.8 326.5 229.6 86.7 142.6 353.2 44.0 251.7 99.3 150.0 359.7 53.6

16 265.8 124.5 27.6 244.7 300.4 150.9 201.7 49.3 257.0 307.7 157.5 211.417 63.8 282.6 185.6 42.6 98.2 308.6 359.4 207.0 54.6 105.4 315.3 9.218 221.8 80.6 343.6 200.5 256.0 106.4 157.1 4.6 212.3 263.1 113.0 167.119 19.8 238.7 141.6 358.4 53.8 264.1 314.7 162.3 10.0 60.8 270.8 324.920 177.8 36.7 299.6 156.3 211.6 61.8 112.4 320.0 167.7 218.5 68.6 122.8

21 335.8 194.7 97.6 314.2 9.4 219.5 270.1 117.6 325.3 16.3 226.3 280.622 133.8 352.8 255.6 112.1 167.2 17.2 67.7 275.3 123.0 174.0 24.1 78.523 291.8 150.8 53.6 270.0 325.0 174.9 225.4 72.9 280.7 331.7 181.9 236.324 89.8 308.9 211.6 67.9 122.8 332.6 23.1 230.6 78.4 129.4 339.7 34.225 247.8 106.9 9.6 225.8 280.5 130.3 180.7 28.3 236.1 287.1 137.4 192.0

26 45.8 265.0 167.6 23.6 78.3 288.0 338.4 185.9 33.8 84.9 295.2 349.927 203.9 63.0 325.6 181.5 236.1 85.7 136.1 343.6 191.4 242.6 93.0 147.728 1.9 221.0 123.6 339.4 33.9 243.4 293.7 141.3 349.1 40.3 250.8 305.629 159.9 19.1 281.6 137.2 191.6 41.1 91.4 298.9 146.8 198.0 48.6 103.530 317.9 79.5 295.1 349.4 198.8 249.1 96.6 304.5 355.8 206.4 261.331 116.0 237.5 147.1 46.7 254.2 153.5 59.2

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME

h º h º º m º m m º 1 36.58 7 256.05 10 6.10 1 0.61 6 3.66 2 73.16 8 292.63 20 12.19 2 1.22 7 4.27 3 109.74 9 329.21 30 18.29 3 1.83 8 4.88 4 146.32 10 365.79 40 24.39 4 2.44 9 5.49 5 182.90 11 402.37 50 30.48 5 3.05 10 6.10 6 219.48 12 438.95 60 36.58System I applies to all objects situated on or between the north component of the South Equatorial Belt and the south component of the North Equatorial Belt.

Page 62: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

60 Jupiter BAA Handbook 2016

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITERSYSTEM II

Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.º º º º º º º º º º º º

1 86.7 67.9 109.8 91.7 280.2 255.7 78.4 49.8 20.8 202.1 174.7 358.72 237.0 218.3 260.2 242.0 70.5 45.8 228.4 199.8 170.8 352.2 324.8 148.93 27.3 8.7 50.6 32.3 220.7 195.9 18.5 349.8 320.8 142.3 114.9 299.04 177.7 159.1 201.0 182.7 10.9 346.0 168.6 139.9 110.9 292.3 265.0 89.25 328.0 309.5 351.4 333.0 161.1 136.1 318.6 289.9 260.9 82.4 55.1 239.4

6 118.3 99.9 141.8 123.3 311.3 286.3 108.7 79.9 50.9 232.5 205.2 29.67 268.7 250.3 292.3 273.6 101.6 76.4 258.7 230.0 201.0 22.5 355.3 179.78 59.0 40.8 82.7 64.0 251.8 226.5 48.8 20.0 351.0 172.6 145.4 329.99 209.4 191.2 233.1 214.3 42.0 16.6 198.8 170.0 141.1 322.7 295.6 120.110 359.7 341.6 23.5 4.6 192.2 166.7 348.9 320.1 291.1 112.7 85.7 270.3

11 150.1 132.0 173.9 154.9 342.3 316.8 138.9 110.1 81.1 262.8 235.8 60.512 300.4 282.4 324.2 305.2 132.5 106.9 289.0 260.1 231.2 52.9 25.9 210.713 90.8 72.8 114.6 95.5 282.7 257.0 79.0 50.1 21.2 203.0 176.1 0.914 241.1 223.2 265.0 245.8 72.9 47.1 229.1 200.2 171.3 353.0 326.2 151.115 31.5 13.6 55.4 36.1 223.1 197.2 19.1 350.2 321.3 143.1 116.3 301.3

16 181.8 164.0 205.8 186.4 13.3 347.3 169.2 140.2 111.4 293.2 266.4 91.517 332.2 314.4 356.2 336.7 163.4 137.3 319.2 290.3 261.4 83.3 56.6 241.718 122.6 104.9 146.6 126.9 313.6 287.4 109.2 80.3 51.5 233.3 206.7 31.919 272.9 255.3 297.0 277.2 103.8 77.5 259.3 230.3 201.5 23.4 356.9 182.120 63.3 45.7 87.3 67.5 253.9 227.6 49.3 20.4 351.5 173.5 147.0 332.3

21 213.7 196.1 237.7 217.8 44.1 17.7 199.4 170.4 141.6 323.6 297.1 122.522 4.1 346.5 28.1 8.0 194.3 167.8 349.4 320.4 291.6 113.7 87.3 272.723 154.4 136.9 178.5 158.3 344.4 317.8 139.4 110.5 81.7 263.8 237.4 62.924 304.8 287.3 328.8 308.5 134.6 107.9 289.5 260.5 231.7 53.9 27.6 213.225 95.2 77.8 119.2 98.8 284.7 258.0 79.5 50.5 21.8 204.0 177.7 3.4

26 245.6 228.2 269.6 249.0 74.9 48.0 229.6 200.6 171.9 354.1 327.9 153.627 36.0 18.6 59.9 39.3 225.0 198.1 19.6 350.6 321.9 144.2 118.0 303.828 186.4 169.0 210.3 189.5 15.1 348.2 169.6 140.6 112.0 294.3 268.2 94.129 336.8 319.4 0.6 339.8 165.3 138.2 319.7 290.7 262.0 84.4 58.4 244.330 127.2 151.0 130.0 315.4 288.3 109.7 80.7 52.1 234.5 208.5 34.5

31 277.5 301.3 105.5 259.7 230.7 24.6 184.8

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º

1 36.26 7 253.83 10 6.04 1 0.60 6 3.63 2 72.52 8 290.09 20 12.09 2 1.21 7 4.23 3 108.78 9 326.35 30 18.13 3 1.81 8 4.83 4 145.05 10 362.61 40 24.17 4 2.42 9 5.44 5 181.31 11 398.87 50 30.22 5 3.02 10 6.04 6 217.57 12 435.14 60 36.26System II applies to all objects situated north of the south component of the North Equatorial Belt or south of the north component of the South Equatorial Belt.

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BAA Handbook 2016 Jupiter 61

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITERSYSTEM III (2009)

Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.º º º º º º º º º º º º

1 86.5 76.0 125.6 115.7 312.3 296.0 126.7 106.3 85.6 275.0 255.7 87.82 237.0 226.6 276.3 266.3 102.8 86.3 277.0 256.6 235.9 65.3 46.1 238.23 27.6 17.3 66.9 56.9 253.3 236.7 67.3 46.9 26.2 215.6 196.5 28.74 178.2 168.0 217.6 207.5 43.7 27.1 217.6 197.2 176.5 6.0 346.9 179.15 328.8 318.6 8.3 358.1 194.2 177.5 8.0 347.5 326.8 156.3 137.2 329.5

6 119.4 109.3 158.9 148.7 344.7 327.9 158.3 137.8 117.1 306.6 287.6 120.07 270.0 260.0 309.6 299.3 135.2 118.3 308.6 288.1 267.4 96.9 78.0 270.48 60.7 50.7 100.3 89.9 285.7 268.6 98.9 78.4 57.7 247.3 228.4 60.99 211.3 201.3 251.0 240.4 76.1 59.0 249.3 228.7 208.0 37.6 18.8 211.310 1.9 352.0 41.6 31.0 226.6 209.4 39.6 19.0 358.3 188.0 169.2 1.8

11 152.5 142.7 192.3 181.6 17.0 359.7 189.9 169.3 148.6 338.3 319.6 152.212 303.1 293.4 342.9 332.2 167.5 150.1 340.2 319.6 298.9 128.6 110.0 302.713 93.7 84.0 133.6 122.7 318.0 300.5 130.5 109.9 89.2 279.0 260.3 93.114 244.4 234.7 284.3 273.3 108.4 90.8 280.8 260.2 239.6 69.3 50.7 243.615 35.0 25.4 74.9 63.8 258.9 241.2 71.1 50.5 29.9 219.7 201.1 34.1

16 185.6 176.1 225.6 214.4 49.3 31.5 221.4 200.8 180.2 10.0 351.5 184.517 336.2 326.7 16.2 5.0 199.7 181.9 11.8 351.1 330.5 160.4 141.9 335.018 126.9 117.4 166.9 155.5 350.2 332.3 162.1 141.4 120.8 310.7 292.3 125.519 277.5 268.1 317.5 306.0 140.6 122.6 312.4 291.7 271.1 101.1 82.7 276.020 68.2 58.8 108.2 96.6 291.0 273.0 102.7 82.0 61.4 251.4 233.2 66.4

21 218.8 209.5 258.8 247.1 81.5 63.3 253.0 232.3 211.8 41.8 23.6 216.922 9.4 0.1 49.5 37.7 231.9 213.6 43.3 22.6 2.1 192.1 174.0 7.423 160.1 150.8 200.1 188.2 22.3 4.0 193.6 172.9 152.4 342.5 324.4 157.924 310.7 301.5 350.7 338.7 172.7 154.3 343.9 323.2 302.7 132.8 114.8 308.425 101.4 92.2 141.4 129.2 323.1 304.7 134.2 113.5 93.0 283.2 265.2 98.9

26 252.0 242.9 292.0 279.7 113.5 95.0 284.5 263.8 243.3 73.5 55.6 249.427 42.7 33.5 82.6 70.3 264.0 245.3 74.8 54.1 33.7 223.9 206.1 39.928 193.3 184.2 233.2 220.8 54.4 35.7 225.1 204.4 184.0 14.3 356.5 190.429 344.0 334.9 23.8 11.3 204.8 186.0 15.4 354.7 334.3 164.6 146.9 340.930 134.7 174.5 161.8 355.2 336.3 165.7 145.0 124.6 315.0 297.3 131.4

31 285.3 325.1 145.6 316.0 295.3 105.4 281.9

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º 1 36.27 7 253.91 10 6.05 1 0.60 6 3.63 2 72.54 8 290.18 20 12.09 2 1.21 7 4.23 3 108.82 9 326.45 30 18.14 3 1.81 8 4.84 4 145.09 10 362.72 40 24.18 4 2.42 9 5.44 5 181.36 11 399.00 50 30.23 5 3.02 10 6.05 6 217.63 12 435.27 60 36.27System III applies to the origin of radio emissions from the planet. See page 62 for a description.

Page 64: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

62 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2016

SATELLITES OF JUPITER

The satellites move from east to west across the face of the planet, and from west to east behind it. After conjunction with the Sun and before opposition, the shadow of Jupiter falls to the west, eclipse precedes occultation, and shadow–transit precedes transit. After opposition, the order of phenomena is reversed, occultation preceding eclipse and transit preceding shadow–transit.

Both phases of eclipse (EcD and EcR) and of occultation (OcD and OcR) of satellites III and IV may be seen if not too near opposition. Satellite I is much closer to the planet, and eclipse and occultation merge into one, OcD being followed by EcR after opposition and before conjunction, while EcD is followed by OcR after conjunction and before opposition. Satellite II normally behaves in the same manner but on rare occasions the separate phenomena of II may be observed. This happens when the planet is near quadrature and is tilted at almost the maximum amount.

On a few occasions all three of the inner satellites may be involved simultaneously in these phenomena. The motions of these three satellites are related in such a way that it is impossible for all three to undergo the same phenomenon at the same time.

The Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides supplies event timings in Terrestrial Time (TT). These have been converted to Universal Time (UT), closely, by subtracting one minute (see tables on p.67–76), since ΔT is about one minute now. The times of phenomena are given for the centre of the satellite. The light of the satellite will therefore begin to fade before the times given here, and observation should commence several minutes before the predicted times.

Charts are included for all 12 months of the year, even though Jupiter will be in conjunction with the Sun on August 26, and therefore not observable for a few weeks either side of this date.

For all charts the satellites are labelled: I Io II Europa III Ganymede IV Callisto

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITERSYSTEM III – DEFINITION

Radio radiation from Jupiter at around 20MHz was discovered in 1955. It varies with the rotation of the planet and this is known as "System III". It is of interest because it indicates rotation beneath the cloud cover. Radio radiation emanates from the magnetosphere of Jupiter, and the rotation is due to the fact that the magnetic poles are not situated exactly at the poles of rotation. (The position of the satellite Io and the DE value are also significant for predicting "radio storms" from Jupiter.) In 1976 the IAU adopted a rotation for System III of 870.536 degrees per day. More recent work suggested an improvement to 870.536642, adopted in 2000 and used in recent BAA Handbooks. However subsequent analysis of data from Galileo gives a different value, consistent with 870.536 and its implied accuracy but not with 870.536642. The IAU provisionally recommends that 870.536 be used.

Page 65: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Jupiter 63

SAT

EL

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ES

OF

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201

5

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OF

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LLIT

ES I

– IV

Ja

nuar

y Fe

brua

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Mar

ch

Page 66: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

64 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2016

SAT

EL

LIT

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OF

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PIT

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201

5

CO

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SATE

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– IV

A

pril

May

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BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Jupiter 65

SAT

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JU

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201

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CO

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ust

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66 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2016

SAT

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ES

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BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Jupiter 67

ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITSThe times are for mid–phenomena, i.e. for eclipses, the planet’s shadow bisecting the satellite; for other events, the Jupiter’s limb bisecting the satellite or the satellite shadow.

Abbreviations: OcD and OcR occultation disappearance and reappearance EcD and EcR eclipse disappearance and reappearanceTrI and TrE transit ingress and egressShI and ShE shadow–transit ingress and egress

January

Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR

1 III 14 12 17 39 19 06 22 19 1 I 15 39 19 06 2 II 05 35 10 41 2/3 IV 11 32 15 10 23 24 01 42 3 I 10 07 13 34 5 I 04 36 08 01 5 II 18 52 23 54 6/7 I 23 04 02 29 8 I 17 32 20 56 8/9 III 18 10 21 36 22 50 02 01 9 II 08 08 13 07 10 I 12 01 15 24 12 I 06 29 09 51 12/13 II 21 25 02 19 14 I 00 57 04 18 15 I 19 26 22 45 15/16 III 22 08 01 34 02 30 05 40 16 II 10 42 15 31 17 I 13 54 17 12 19 IV 05 32 09 02 15 53 17 49 19 I 08 23 11 39 19/20 II 23 59 04 42 21 I 02 51 06 06 22/23 I 21 19 00 33 23 III 02 06 05 31 06 04 09 14 23 II 13 15 17 53 24 I 15 48 19 00 26 I 10 16 13 27 27 II 02 32 07 03 28 I 04 45 07 53 29/30 I 23 13 02 20 30 III 06 05 09 29 09 35 12 44 30 II 15 49 20 12 31 I 17 41 20 46

January Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 0 II 10 30 13 19 12 54 15 39 0 I 18 32 20 48 19 42 21 56 2 I 13 01 15 16 14 10 16 24 3/ 4 II 23 48 02 37 02 10 04 54 4 I 07 29 09 44 08 37 10 51 5 III 04 13 07 36 08 56 12 06 6 I 01 57 04 12 03 05 05 19 7 II 13 05 15 54 15 23 18 07 7 I 20 25 22 40 21 32 23 46 9 I 14 54 17 09 16 00 18 13 10/11 IV 21 12 00 43 08 05 10 12 11 II 02 23 05 12 04 37 07 21 11 I 09 22 11 37 10 27 12 41 12 III 08 10 11 33 12 37 15 46 13 I 03 50 06 05 04 54 07 08 14 II 15 40 18 29 17 50 20 34 14/15 I 22 18 00 33 23 21 01 35 16 I 16 47 19 02 17 48 20 02 18 II 04 58 07 47 07 03 09 47 18 I 11 15 13 30 12 15 14 29 19 III 12 07 15 30 16 14 19 22 20 I 05 43 07 58 06 42 08 56 21 II 18 15 21 04 20 14 22 58 22 I 00 11 02 26 01 09 03 22 23 I 18 40 20 55 19 35 21 49 25 II 07 33 10 22 09 26 12 10 25 I 13 08 15 23 14 02 16 16 26 III 16 04 19 26 19 46 22 53 27 I 07 36 09 51 08 29 10 43 27/28 IV 15 11 18 34 00 03 01 55 28/29 II 20 51 23 39 22 37 01 21 29 I 02 04 04 20 02 55 05 09 30 I 20 33 22 48 21 22 23 36

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ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITSFebruary Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR

2 I 12 10 15 13 3 II 05 05 09 21 4 I 06 38 09 39 4/5 IV 23 33 02 55 07 19 09 03 6 I 01 07 04 06 6 III 10 03 16 10 6 II 18 22 22 30 7 I 19 35 22 32 9 I 14 04 16 59 10 II 07 39 11 38 11 I 08 32 11 25 13 I 03 01 05 51 13 III 14 01 19 32 13/14 II 20 56 00 46 14/15 I 21 29 00 17 16 I 15 58 18 43 17 II 10 12 13 53 18 I 10 26 13 10 20 I 04 55 07 36 20 III 17 59 22 51 20/21 II 23 29 03 00 21 IV 17 36 20 49 21 53 23 38 21/22 I 23 23 02 02 23 I 17 52 20 28 24 II 12 46 16 07 25 I 12 20 14 54 27 I 06 49 09 20 27/28 III 21 57 02 08 28 II 02 03 05 14 29 I 01 17 03 46

February Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE

1 II 10 09 12 58 11 47 14 31 1 I 15 01 17 16 15 48 18 02 2/ 3 III 20 01 23 23 23 13 02 20 3 I 09 29 11 44 10 14 12 28 4/ 5 II 23 26 02 15 00 57 03 41 5 I 03 57 06 13 04 41 06 55 6/ 7 I 22 26 00 41 23 07 01 21 8 II 12 44 15 33 14 07 16 51 8 I 16 54 19 09 17 33 19 47 9/10 III 23 59 03 21 02 37 05 45 10 I 11 22 13 38 11 59 14 14 12 II 02 02 04 51 03 15 06 00 12 I 05 51 08 06 06 26 08 40 13 IV 09 09 12 25 15 04 16 50 14 I 00 19 02 34 00 52 03 06 15 II 15 20 18 09 16 25 19 09 15 I 18 47 21 03 19 18 21 32 17 III 03 57 07 18 05 58 09 06 17 I 13 15 15 31 13 44 15 58 19 II 04 38 07 27 05 32 08 17 19 I 07 44 09 59 08 10 10 24 21 I 02 12 04 28 02 36 04 50 22 II 17 56 20 45 18 41 21 26 22 I 20 41 22 56 21 02 23 16 24 III 07 56 11 16 09 17 12 25 24 I 15 09 17 24 15 28 17 42 26 II 07 14 10 03 07 48 10 33 26 I 09 37 11 53 09 53 12 08 28 I 04 06 06 21 04 19 06 34 29 II 20 33 23 21 20 57 23 42 29/ 1 I 22 34 00 50 22 45 01 00

March Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 1 I 19 46 22 12 2 II 15 19 18 21 3 I 14 14 16 38 5 I 08 43 11 04 6 III 01 56 05 26 6 II 04 36 07 27 7 I 03 12 05 30

March Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 1 IV 03 08 06 16 05 22 07 16 2 III 11 53 15 13 12 33 15 42 2 I 17 02 19 18 17 11 19 25 4 II 09 51 12 39 10 04 12 49 4 I 11 31 13 46 11 37 13 51 6 I 05 59 08 15 06 03 08 17 7/ 8 II 23 09 01 58 23 12 01 57 8 I 00 28 02 43 00 29 02 43

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ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

March cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

9 III 15 48 18 58 15 51 19 10 9 I 18 54 21 09 18 56 21 12 11 II 12 19 15 05 12 27 15 16 11 I 13 20 15 35 13 25 15 40 13 I 07 46 10 01 07 53 10 08 15 II 01 27 04 13 01 46 04 34 15 I 02 12 04 27 02 22 04 37 16 III 19 03 22 14 19 49 23 07 16 I 20 38 22 53 20 50 23 05 17/18 IV 19 24 21 36 21 10 00 08 18 II 14 34 17 21 15 04 17 52 18 I 15 04 17 19 15 18 17 34 20 I 09 30 11 45 09 47 12 02 22 II 03 43 06 29 04 23 07 11 22 I 03 56 06 11 04 15 06 31 23/24 III 22 20 01 32 23 47 03 05 23/24 I 22 22 00 37 22 44 00 59 25 I 16 48 19 03 17 12 19 28 25 II 16 51 19 37 17 41 20 29 27 I 11 14 13 29 11 41 13 56 29 I 05 41 07 55 06 10 08 25 29 II 06 00 08 47 07 00 09 47 31 I 00 07 02 21 00 38 02 53 31 III 01 39 04 53 03 47 07 03

April Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 I 18 33 20 48 19 07 21 22 1 II 19 09 21 55 20 18 23 05 3 IV 09 41 12 13 15 11 17 59 3 I 12 59 15 14 13 35 15 50 5 I 07 26 09 40 08 04 10 19 5 II 08 18 11 05 09 37 12 24 7 I 01 52 04 07 02 32 04 47

Jupiter in Opposition to the Sun: 2016 March 8d 11h

March cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 8 I 21 40 23 57 9 IV 11 38 14 42 9 II 17 50 20 39 10 I 16 06 18 26 12 I 10 32 12 54 13 III 05 30 09 15 13 II 06 57 09 56 14 I 04 58 07 23 15/16 I 23 24 01 51 16 II 20 04 23 13 17 I 17 50 20 20 19 I 12 16 14 49 20 III 08 47 13 14 20 II 09 10 12 29 21 I 06 42 09 17 23 I 01 09 03 46 23/24 II 22 17 01 46 24 I 19 35 22 15 26 IV 01 55 04 17 05 42 08 36 26 I 14 01 16 43 27 II 11 25 15 03 27 III 12 05 17 12 28 I 08 27 11 12 30 I 02 54 05 41 31 II 00 32 04 20 31/1 I 21 20 00 09

April Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 2 I 15 46 18 38 3 II 13 40 17 37 3 III 15 25 21 10 4 I 10 13 13 07 6 I 04 39 07 35 7 II 02 48 06 54 7/8 I 23 06 02 04

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ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

April cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 9 I 17 33 20 33 10 II 15 57 20 11 10/11 III 18 48 01 08 11 I 11 59 15 02 11/12 IV 16 26 19 08 23 48 02 30 13 I 06 26 09 30 14 II 05 06 09 28 15 I 00 53 03 59 16 I 19 20 22 28 17 II 18 16 22 45 17/18 III 22 16 01 34 01 51 05 07 18 I 13 47 16 56 20 I 08 14 11 25 21 II 07 27 12 02 22 I 02 41 05 54 23/24 I 21 08 00 23 24/25 II 20 37 01 19 25 III 01 48 05 07 05 51 09 06 25 I 15 35 18 51 27 I 10 02 13 20 28 IV 07 46 10 44 17 53 20 24 28 II 09 49 14 36 29 I 04 30 07 49 30/1 I 22 57 02 18

May Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

1/2 II 23 01 03 53 2 III 05 24 08 45 09 50 13 05 2 I 17 25 20 46 4 I 11 52 15 15 5 II 12 13 17 11 6 I 06 20 09 44 8 I 00 48 04 13 9 II 01 26 06 28 9 III 09 06 12 27 13 51 17 04 9 I 19 16 22 42 11 I 13 44 17 10

April cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 7 III 05 01 08 16 07 45 11 01 8 I 20 19 22 33 21 01 23 16 8/ 9 II 21 28 00 15 22 55 01 42 10 I 14 45 17 00 15 29 17 44 12 I 09 12 11 27 09 58 12 13 12 II 10 39 13 26 12 14 15 01 14 I 03 39 05 53 04 27 06 41 14 III 08 28 11 43 11 45 14 59 15/16 I 22 05 00 20 22 55 01 10 15/16 II 23 49 02 36 01 32 04 19 17 I 16 32 18 47 17 24 19 38 19 I 10 59 13 14 11 52 14 07 19 II 13 01 15 48 14 51 17 37 20 IV 00 38 03 27 09 14 11 50 21 I 05 26 07 41 06 21 08 35 21 III 11 57 15 14 15 44 18 57 22/23 I 23 53 02 08 00 50 03 04 23 II 02 12 04 59 04 10 06 55 24 I 18 20 20 35 19 18 21 33 26 I 12 47 15 02 13 47 16 01 26 II 15 25 18 12 17 29 20 14 28 I 07 15 09 29 08 15 10 30 28 III 15 31 18 48 19 43 22 55 30 I 01 42 03 57 02 44 04 58 30 II 04 38 07 25 06 47 09 32

May Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

1 I 20 09 22 24 21 13 23 27 3 I 14 37 16 51 15 41 17 56 3 II 17 52 20 39 20 06 22 51 5 I 09 04 11 19 10 10 12 24 5/ 6 III 19 09 22 27 23 41 02 53 6/ 7 IV 16 29 19 31 03 18 05 42 7 I 03 32 05 47 04 39 06 53 7 II 07 05 09 53 09 24 12 09 8/ 9 I 22 00 00 14 23 07 01 21 10 I 16 27 18 42 17 36 19 50 10/11 II 20 20 23 08 22 43 01 27

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BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Jupiter 71

ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS May cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

12 II 14 40 19 45 13 I 08 11 11 39 15 IV 00 05 03 14 12 00 14 17 15 I 02 40 06 08 16 II 03 54 09 03 16 III 12 51 16 13 17 50 21 03 16/17 I 21 08 00 37 18 I 15 36 19 05 19 II 17 09 22 20 20 I 10 04 13 34 22 I 04 32 08 03 23 II 06 24 11 38 23/24 III 16 41 20 03 21 49 01 01 23/24 I 23 01 02 32 25 I 17 29 21 01 26/27 II 19 40 00 55 27 I 11 57 15 29 29 I 06 26 09 58 30 II 08 57 14 13 30/31 III 20 35 23 57 01 48 04 59 31 I 00 55 04 27 31/1 IV 17 23 20 38 06 08 08 10

June

Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

1 I 19 23 22 56 2/3 II 22 14 03 30 3 I 13 52 17 24 5 I 08 21 11 53 6 II 11 31 16 48 7 III 00 33 03 56 05 48 08 58 7 I 02 50 06 22 8/9 I 21 19 00 51 10 II 00 49 06 05 10 I 15 48 19 19 12 I 10 17 13 48 13 II 14 07 19 23 14 III 04 35 07 58 09 48 12 57 14 I 04 46 08 17

May cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

12 I 10 55 13 10 12 05 14 19 12/13 III 22 52 02 10 03 40 06 51 14 I 05 23 07 38 06 33 08 47 14 II 09 35 12 23 12 01 14 45 15/16 I 23 51 02 06 01 02 03 16 17 I 18 19 20 34 19 31 21 45 17/18 II 22 51 01 39 01 20 04 04 19 I 12 47 15 02 13 59 16 13 20 III 02 40 05 59 07 40 10 50 21 I 07 15 09 30 08 28 10 42 21 II 12 07 14 54 14 38 17 22 23 I 01 43 03 58 02 57 05 11 23 IV 09 18 12 28 21 22 23 34 24 I 20 12 22 26 21 26 23 39 25 II 01 24 04 12 03 57 06 40 26 I 14 40 16 55 15 54 18 08 27 III 06 32 09 51 11 39 14 48 28 I 09 08 11 23 10 23 12 37 28 II 14 41 17 28 17 15 19 58 30 I 03 37 05 52 04 52 07 05 31/ 1 I 22 05 00 20 23 20 01 34

June Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

1 II 03 59 06 46 06 34 09 17 2 I 16 34 18 49 17 49 20 03 3 III 10 28 13 48 15 39 18 47 4 I 11 03 13 17 12 18 14 31 4 II 17 17 20 04 19 52 22 35 6 I 05 31 07 46 06 46 09 00 8 I 00 00 02 15 01 15 03 29 8 II 06 36 09 23 09 11 11 53 9 IV 03 02 06 15 15 27 17 24 9 I 18 29 20 44 19 44 21 58 10 III 14 28 17 48 19 39 22 46 11 I 12 58 15 13 14 13 16 26 11/12 II 19 55 22 42 22 29 01 11 13 I 07 27 09 41 08 41 10 55

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ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

June cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

15 I 01 56 04 10 03 10 05 24 15 II 09 15 12 02 11 47 14 29 16 I 20 25 22 40 21 39 23 52 17/18 III 18 32 21 51 23 38 02 44 18 I 14 54 17 09 16 07 18 21 18/19 II 22 34 01 21 01 05 03 47 20 I 09 23 11 38 10 36 12 50 22 I 03 52 06 07 05 05 07 19 22 II 11 55 14 41 14 24 17 05 23/24 I 22 21 00 36 23 34 01 47 24/25 III 22 38 01 58 03 37 06 42 25 I 16 51 19 05 18 02 20 16 25/26 IV 21 35 00 47 09 34 11 14 26 II 01 15 04 02 03 42 06 23 27 I 11 20 13 35 12 31 14 45 29 I 05 49 08 04 07 00 09 14 29 II 14 36 17 23 17 00 19 41

June cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

15/16 I 23 15 02 46 17 II 03 26 08 40 17/18 IV 11 35 14 51 00 17 02 02 17 I 17 44 21 14 19 I 12 13 15 43 20 II 16 46 21 58 21 I 06 42 10 12 21 III 08 41 12 04 13 48 16 56 23 I 01 12 04 41 24 II 06 05 11 16 24 I 19 41 23 09 26 I 14 10 17 38 27/28 II 19 26 00 34 28 I 08 40 12 07 28 III 12 51 16 13 17 48 20 55 30 I 03 09 06 36

July Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

1 II 08 46 13 51 1/2 I 21 39 01 04 3 I 16 08 19 33 4 IV 06 33 09 45 18 27 19 52 4/5 II 22 07 03 09 5 I 10 38 14 02 5/6 III 17 03 20 25 21 47 00 54 7 I 05 07 08 30 8 II 11 28 16 27 8/9 I 23 37 02 59 10 I 18 07 21 28 12 II 00 50 05 45 12 I 12 36 15 56 12/13 III 21 17 00 38 01 46 04 52 14 I 07 06 10 25 15 II 14 12 19 03 16 I 01 36 04 54

July Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

1 I 00 19 02 34 01 28 03 42 2 III 02 48 06 07 07 36 10 40 2 I 18 48 21 03 19 57 22 11 3 II 03 57 06 43 06 18 08 59 4 I 13 18 15 33 14 26 16 40 6 I 07 47 10 02 08 55 11 08 6 II 17 19 20 05 19 36 22 17 8 I 02 17 04 32 03 23 05 37 9 III 07 02 10 21 11 36 14 40 9/10 I 20 46 23 01 21 52 00 06 10 II 06 40 09 26 08 54 11 35 11 I 15 16 17 31 16 21 18 35 12/13 IV 16 48 19 54 03 42 05 02 13 I 09 46 12 01 10 49 13 03 13/14 II 20 02 22 48 22 12 00 53 15 I 04 15 06 30 05 18 07 32 16 III 11 17 14 36 15 35 18 38

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BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Jupiter 73

ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

July cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

17 I 20 06 23 22 19 II 03 35 08 21 19 I 14 36 17 51 20 III 01 34 04 54 05 45 08 50 21 IV 02 09 05 13 12 42 13 38 21 I 09 05 12 20 22 II 16 57 21 39 23 I 03 35 06 48 24/25 I 22 05 01 17 26 II 06 20 10 57 26 I 16 35 19 46 27 III 05 53 09 12 09 44 12 48 28 I 11 05 14 14 29/30 II 19 43 00 15 30 I 05 35 08 43

July cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

16/17 I 22 45 01 00 23 47 02 01 17 II 09 25 12 10 11 30 14 10 18 I 17 15 19 30 18 16 20 30 20 I 11 45 14 00 12 44 14 58 20/21 II 22 47 01 33 00 48 03 28 22 I 06 14 08 30 07 13 09 27 23 III 15 36 18 53 19 35 22 37 24 I 00 44 03 00 01 42 03 56 24 II 12 10 14 55 14 06 16 46 25 I 19 14 21 30 20 10 22 24 27 I 13 44 16 00 14 39 16 53 28 II 01 33 04 18 03 23 06 03 29 I 08 14 10 30 09 08 11 22 29 IV 12 33 15 29 30/31 III 19 56 23 12 23 34 02 35 31 I 02 44 05 00 03 37 05 51 31 II 14 56 17 41 16 41 19 21

August Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

1 I 00 05 03 12 2 II 09 07 13 33 2 I 18 35 21 40 3 III 10 15 13 33 13 44 16 47 4 I 13 05 16 09 5/6 II 22 31 02 51 6 I 07 35 10 37 6/7 IV 22 15 01 04 8 I 02 05 05 06 9 II 11 55 16 09 9 I 20 35 23 35 10 III 14 38 20 45 11 I 15 06 18 03 13 II 01 19 05 27 13 I 09 36 12 32 15 I 04 06 07 00 16 II 14 43 18 45 16/17 I 22 36 01 29 17/18 III 19 03 00 44

August Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

1/ 2 I 21 14 23 30 22 05 00 19 3 I 15 44 18 00 16 34 18 48 4 II 04 19 07 04 05 59 08 38 5 I 10 14 12 30 11 03 13 17 7 III 00 17 03 33 03 33 06 33 7 I 04 44 07 00 05 31 07 46 7 II 17 42 20 27 19 16 21 56 8/ 9 I 23 14 01 30 00 00 02 14 10 I 17 44 20 00 18 29 20 43 11 II 07 06 09 50 08 34 11 13 12 I 12 15 14 30 12 57 15 12 14 III 04 40 07 55 07 32 10 31 14 I 06 45 09 00 07 26 09 40 14/15 II 20 29 23 13 21 51 00 30 15 IV 08 45 11 25 16 I 01 15 03 31 01 55 04 09 17 I 19 45 22 01 20 23 22 38 18 II 09 53 12 37 11 09 13 47 19 I 14 15 16 31 14 52 17 06

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Jupiter in conjunction with the Sun: 2016 September 26d 7h

ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

October Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR

23 II 04 51 08 24 23 I 05 16 07 56 24/25 I 23 45 02 26 26 II 18 10 21 49 26 I 18 13 20 56 28 I 12 41 15 26 28 III 13 26 18 26 30 I 07 09 09 56 30 II 07 27 11 13

October Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE

22 I 08 02 10 16 08 27 10 41 24 I 02 30 04 44 02 57 05 12 24/25 III 23 20 02 10 01 12 04 05 24/25 II 23 32 02 07 00 27 03 02 25 I 20 59 23 13 21 27 23 42 27 I 15 27 17 41 15 58 18 12 28 II 12 48 15 23 13 50 16 25 29 I 09 56 12 10 10 28 12 42 31 I 04 24 06 38 04 58 07 12

August cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR

18 I 17 06 19 57 20 II 04 08 08 03 20 I 11 36 14 26 22 I 06 06 08 55 23 II 17 33 21 21 23 IV 18 44 21 12 24 I 00 37 03 23 24/25 III 23 28 04 41 25 I 19 07 21 52 27 II 06 57 10 39 27 I 13 37 16 20 29 I 08 07 10 49 30 II 20 23 23 58 31 I 02 37 05 17

August cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE

21 I 08 46 11 01 09 21 11 35 21 III 09 04 12 18 11 30 14 30 21/22 II 23 17 02 00 00 26 03 05 23 I 03 16 05 31 03 49 06 04 24/25 I 21 46 00 02 22 18 00 32 25 II 12 40 15 23 13 43 16 22 26 I 16 16 18 32 16 47 19 01 28 I 10 47 13 02 11 15 13 30 28 III 13 31 16 42 15 30 18 28 29 II 02 04 04 47 03 01 05 39 30 I 05 17 07 33 05 44 07 58 31/ 1 I 23 47 02 03 00 13 02 27

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ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

November Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR

1 I 01 38 04 26 2 I 20 06 22 55 2/3 II 20 46 00 38 4 I 14 34 17 25 4 III 17 24 22 48 6 I 09 03 11 55 6 II 10 04 14 01 8 I 03 31 06 25 9/10 I 21 59 00 55 9/10 II 23 22 03 26 11 I 16 28 19 24 11/12 III 21 23 00 11 00 23 03 09 13 I 10 56 13 54 13 II 12 40 16 49 15 I 05 24 08 24 16/17 I 23 52 02 53 17 II 01 59 06 13 18 I 18 21 21 23 19 III 01 21 04 08 04 46 07 28 20 I 12 49 15 53 20 II 15 16 19 36 22 I 07 17 10 22 24 I 01 46 04 52 24 II 04 35 08 59 25 I 20 14 23 21 26 III 05 19 08 05 09 06 11 46 27 I 14 42 17 51 27 II 17 52 22 22 29 I 09 10 12 20

November Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE

1 II 02 05 04 40 03 13 05 48 1 III 03 19 06 08 05 39 08 28 1/ 2 I 22 53 01 06 23 28 01 42 3 I 17 21 19 35 17 58 20 12 4 II 15 22 17 56 16 36 19 10 5 I 11 50 14 03 12 28 14 42 7 I 06 18 08 32 06 58 09 12 8 II 04 38 07 13 05 59 08 32 8 III 07 17 10 05 10 03 12 50 9 I 00 47 03 00 01 28 03 42 10 I 19 15 21 29 19 58 22 12 11 II 17 55 20 29 19 22 21 55 12 I 13 44 15 57 14 28 16 42 14 I 08 12 10 26 08 58 11 11 15 II 07 12 09 45 08 44 11 17 15 III 11 15 14 02 14 26 17 09 16 I 02 41 04 54 03 28 05 41 17/18 I 21 09 23 22 21 58 00 11 18/19 II 20 28 23 02 22 07 00 38 19 I 15 37 17 51 16 28 18 41 21 I 10 06 12 19 10 58 13 10 22 II 09 45 12 18 11 29 14 00 22 III 15 13 17 58 18 48 21 27 23 I 04 34 06 48 05 27 07 40 24/25 I 23 03 01 16 23 57 02 10 25/26 II 23 02 01 35 00 51 03 21 26 I 17 31 19 44 18 27 20 39 28 I 12 00 14 13 12 56 15 09 29 II 12 18 14 51 14 12 16 42 29/30 III 19 11 21 55 23 07 01 43 30 I 06 28 08 41 07 26 09 38

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ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS

December Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR

1 I 03 39 06 49 1 II 07 11 11 44 2/3 I 22 07 01 19 3 III 09 16 12 02 13 24 16 00 4 I 16 35 19 48 4/5 II 20 28 01 06 6 I 11 03 14 17 8 I 05 32 08 47 8 II 09 46 14 28 10 I 00 00 03 16 10 III 13 13 15 58 17 40 20 12 11 I 18 28 21 45 11/12 II 23 04 03 49 13 I 12 56 16 14 15 I 07 24 10 43 15 II 12 22 17 10 17 I 01 53 05 12 17/18 III 17 10 19 54 21 53 00 21 18 I 20 21 23 41 19 II 01 39 06 30 20 I 14 49 18 10 22 I 09 17 12 39 22 II 14 58 19 51 24 I 03 46 07 08 24/25 III 21 08 23 50 02 02 04 27 25/26 I 22 14 01 37 26 II 04 15 09 10 27 I 16 42 20 05 29 I 11 10 14 34 29 II 17 33 22 29 31 I 05 38 09 03 32 III 01 06 03 47 06 10 08 31

December Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE

2 I 00 57 03 10 01 56 04 08 3 II 01 35 04 08 03 34 06 03 3 I 19 25 21 38 20 25 22 37 5 I 13 53 16 06 14 55 17 07 6 II 14 52 17 24 16 55 19 24 6/ 7 III 23 09 01 52 03 25 05 57 7 I 08 22 10 35 09 24 11 36 9 I 02 50 05 03 03 53 06 05 10 II 04 08 06 40 06 16 08 44 10/11 I 21 19 23 31 22 23 00 35 12 I 15 47 18 00 16 52 19 04 13 II 17 25 19 57 19 36 22 04 14 III 03 07 05 49 07 40 10 08 14 I 10 15 12 28 11 21 13 33 16 I 04 44 06 56 05 51 08 02 17 II 06 42 09 13 08 56 11 24 17/18 I 23 12 01 25 00 20 02 31 19 I 17 41 19 53 18 49 21 00 20/21 II 19 58 22 30 22 16 00 43 21 III 07 06 09 46 11 52 14 17 21 I 12 09 14 21 13 18 15 29 23 I 06 37 08 50 07 47 09 58 24 II 09 15 11 46 11 36 14 02 25 I 01 06 03 18 02 16 04 27 26 I 19 34 21 46 20 45 22 56 27/28 II 22 32 01 03 00 55 03 21 28 III 11 03 13 43 16 00 18 21 28 I 14 02 16 15 15 14 17 25 30 I 08 31 10 43 09 43 11 53 31 II 11 48 14 19 14 14 16 39 32 I 02 59 05 11 04 11 06 22

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BAA Handbook 2016 Saturn 77

SATURN Opposition: June 3 Conjunction: December 10

2016 Rings

RA Dec. Mag Equat Diam.

Polar Diam.

Major Axis

Minor Axis

DE Δ h m º ' " " " " º au

Jan. 3 16 40.2 -20 31 0.5 15.3 14.1 34.8 15.3 +26.1 10.84413 16 44.6 -20 39 0.5 15.5 14.3 35.1 15.5 +26.2 10.74723 16 48.7 -20 46 0.5 15.6 14.4 35.5 15.7 +26.2 10.631

Feb. 2 16 52.3 -20 51 0.5 15.8 14.6 35.9 15.9 +26.3 10.49612 16 55.4 -20 55 0.5 16.1 14.8 36.4 16.1 +26.3 10.34822 16 58.0 -20 58 0.5 16.3 15.0 37.0 16.4 +26.3 10.189

Mar. 3 16 59.9 -21 00 0.5 16.6 15.3 37.6 16.7 +26.3 10.02413 17 01.1 -21 00 0.4 16.9 15.5 38.3 16.9 +26.3 9.85723 17 01.7 -21 00 0.4 17.1 15.8 38.9 17.2 +26.3 9.694

Apr. 2 17 01.5 -20 59 0.3 17.4 16.1 39.5 17.5 +26.2 9.53912 17 00.6 -20 56 0.3 17.7 16.3 40.1 17.7 +26.2 9.39622 16 59.1 -20 53 0.2 17.9 16.5 40.7 18.0 +26.2 9.271

May 2 16 57.0 -20 50 0.2 18.1 16.7 41.1 18.1 +26.2 9.16812 16 54.5 -20 45 0.1 18.3 16.9 41.5 18.3 +26.1 9.08922 16 51.6 -20 41 0.1 18.4 17.0 41.7 18.4 +26.1 9.038

Jun. 1 16 48.5 -20 36 0.0 18.4 17.0 41.8 18.4 +26.1 9.01611 16 45.3 -20 31 0.0 18.4 17.0 41.8 18.3 +26.0 9.02421 16 42.3 -20 27 0.1 18.3 16.9 41.6 18.2 +26.0 9.061

Jul. 1 16 39.6 -20 23 0.1 18.2 16.8 41.3 18.1 +26.0 9.12611 16 37.2 -20 20 0.2 18.0 16.6 40.9 17.9 +26.0 9.21821 16 35.4 -20 18 0.3 17.8 16.4 40.4 17.7 +26.0 9.33231 16 34.2 -20 18 0.3 17.6 16.2 39.9 17.5 +26.0 9.464

Aug. 10 16 33.6 -20 19 0.4 17.3 15.9 39.2 17.2 +26.0 9.61220 16 33.7 -20 21 0.4 17.0 15.7 38.6 16.9 +26.0 9.77130 16 34.4 -20 25 0.5 16.7 15.4 38.0 16.7 +26.1 9.935

Sep. 9 16 35.9 -20 30 0.5 16.5 15.2 37.3 16.5 +26.2 10.10119 16 37.9 -20 36 0.5 16.2 14.9 36.7 16.2 +26.2 10.26429 16 40.6 -20 43 0.5 16.0 14.7 36.2 16.0 +26.3 10.419

Oct. 9 16 43.8 -20 51 0.5 15.7 14.5 35.7 15.9 +26.4 10.56419 16 47.5 -20 59 0.5 15.5 14.3 35.3 15.7 +26.5 10.69429 16 51.6 -21 08 0.5 15.4 14.2 34.9 15.6 +26.5 10.806

Nov. 8 16 56.1 -21 16 0.5 15.3 14.1 34.6 15.5 +26.6 10.89818 17 00.8 -21 24 0.5 15.2 14.0 34.4 15.4 +26.7 10.96628 17 05.7 -21 32 0.5 15.1 13.9 34.3 15.4 +26.7 11.011

Dec. 8 17 10.7 -21 39 0.4 15.1 13.9 34.2 15.4 +26.7 11.03018 17 15.8 -21 45 0.5 15.1 13.9 34.2 15.4 +26.8 11.02328 17 20.8 -21 51 0.5 15.1 14.0 34.3 15.4 +26.8 10.990

Description of the headings in the table can be found on page 110.

Page 80: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

78 Saturn BAA Handbook 2016

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF SATURNSYSTEM I

Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º 1 101.5 353.2 358.1 253.3 25.3 281.7 52.5 305.5 196.2 321.2 209.5 333.9 2 225.7 117.4 122.4 17.7 149.7 46.1 176.8 69.7 320.4 85.3 333.6 98.0 3 349.9 241.7 246.8 142.1 274.1 170.4 301.1 194.0 84.6 209.5 97.8 222.2 4 114.1 6.0 11.1 266.5 38.5 294.8 65.4 318.2 208.8 333.6 221.9 346.3 5 238.4 130.3 135.4 30.9 162.9 59.2 189.8 82.5 333.0 97.7 346.1 110.5 6 2.6 254.6 259.8 155.3 287.3 183.6 314.1 206.7 97.1 221.9 110.2 234.7 7 126.8 18.9 24.1 279.7 51.7 308.0 78.4 331.0 221.3 346.0 234.3 358.8 8 251.0 143.2 148.5 44.0 176.1 72.3 202.7 95.2 345.5 110.2 358.5 123.0 9 15.3 267.4 272.8 168.4 300.5 196.7 327.0 219.4 109.7 234.3 122.6 247.1 10 139.5 31.7 37.2 292.8 64.9 321.1 91.3 343.7 233.8 358.5 246.8 11.3 11 263.7 156.0 161.5 57.2 189.3 85.5 215.6 107.9 358.0 122.6 10.9 135.5 12 28.0 280.3 285.9 181.6 313.7 209.8 339.9 232.1 122.2 246.7 135.0 259.7 13 152.2 44.6 50.2 306.0 78.1 334.2 104.2 356.3 246.3 10.9 259.2 23.8 14 276.5 168.9 174.6 70.4 202.5 98.6 228.5 120.6 10.5 135.0 23.3 148.0 15 40.7 293.2 299.0 194.8 327.0 222.9 352.8 244.8 134.7 259.2 147.5 272.2 16 164.9 57.6 63.3 319.2 91.4 347.3 117.1 9.0 258.8 23.3 271.6 36.3 17 289.2 181.9 187.7 83.6 215.8 111.6 241.4 133.2 23.0 147.4 35.8 160.5 18 53.4 306.2 312.0 208.0 340.2 236.0 5.7 257.4 147.2 271.6 159.9 284.7 19 177.7 70.5 76.4 332.4 104.6 0.4 130.0 21.6 271.3 35.7 284.0 48.9 20 302.0 194.8 200.8 96.8 229.0 124.7 254.3 145.9 35.5 159.9 48.2 173.1 21 66.2 319.1 325.2 221.2 353.4 249.1 18.5 270.1 159.6 284.0 172.3 297.2 22 190.5 83.4 89.5 345.6 117.8 13.4 142.8 34.3 283.8 48.1 296.5 61.4 23 314.7 207.8 213.9 110.0 242.1 137.8 267.1 158.5 48.0 172.3 60.6 185.6 24 79.0 332.1 338.3 234.4 6.5 262.1 31.4 282.7 172.1 296.4 184.8 309.8 25 203.2 96.4 102.6 358.8 130.9 26.4 155.6 46.9 296.3 60.5 308.9 74.0 26 327.5 220.7 227.0 123.3 255.3 150.8 279.9 171.1 60.4 184.7 73.1 198.2 27 91.8 345.1 351.4 247.7 19.7 275.1 44.2 295.3 184.6 308.8 197.2 322.4 28 216.1 109.4 115.8 12.1 144.1 39.5 168.4 59.5 308.7 72.9 321.4 86.5 29 340.3 233.7 240.2 136.5 268.5 163.8 292.7 183.7 72.9 197.1 85.5 210.7 30 104.6 4.5 260.9 32.9 288.1 57.0 307.9 197.0 321.2 209.7 334.9 31 228.9 128.9 157.3 181.2 72.0 85.4 99.1

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º 1 35.18 7 246.25 10 5.86 1 0.59 6 3.52 2 70.36 8 281.43 20 11.73 2 1.17 7 4.10 3 105.54 9 316.61 30 17.59 3 1.76 8 4.69 4 140.72 10 351.79 40 23.45 4 2.35 9 5.28 5 175.90 11 386.97 50 29.32 5 2.93 10 5.86 6 211.07 12 422.15 60 35.18

System I applies to all objects situated on or between the south component of the North Equatorial Belt and the north component of the South Equatorial Belt.

Page 81: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Saturn 79

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF SATURNSYSTEM II

Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º 1 236.8 207.1 355.2 329.1 212.0 187.0 68.8 40.6 10.2 246.2 213.3 88.7 2 328.7 299.1 87.3 61.2 304.1 279.1 160.9 132.6 102.1 338.0 305.1 180.6 3 60.6 31.0 179.3 153.2 36.2 11.2 252.9 224.5 193.9 69.9 37.0 272.4 4 152.5 123.0 271.3 245.3 128.3 103.3 344.9 316.5 285.8 161.7 128.8 4.3 5 244.4 215.0 3.4 337.4 220.4 195.4 76.9 48.4 17.7 253.6 220.7 96.1 6 336.4 307.0 95.4 69.5 312.5 287.4 169.0 140.4 109.6 345.4 312.5 188.0 7 68.3 39.0 187.5 161.6 44.6 19.5 261.0 232.3 201.5 77.3 44.3 279.9 8 160.2 131.0 279.5 253.7 136.7 111.6 353.0 324.3 293.4 169.1 136.2 11.7 9 252.2 223.0 11.6 345.8 228.8 203.7 85.0 56.2 25.2 261.0 228.0 103.6 10 344.1 315.0 103.6 77.9 320.9 295.7 177.0 148.1 117.1 352.8 319.9 195.5 11 76.0 46.9 195.7 170.0 53.0 27.8 269.0 240.1 209.0 84.7 51.7 287.3 12 168.0 138.9 287.7 262.1 145.1 119.9 1.0 332.0 300.9 176.5 143.6 19.2 13 259.9 230.9 19.8 354.2 237.2 212.0 93.0 63.9 32.7 268.3 235.4 111.1 14 351.8 322.9 111.8 86.2 329.3 304.0 185.0 155.8 124.6 0.2 327.2 202.9 15 83.8 54.9 203.9 178.3 61.4 36.1 277.0 247.8 216.5 92.0 59.1 294.8 16 175.7 147.0 295.9 270.4 153.5 128.1 9.0 339.7 308.3 183.9 150.9 26.7 17 267.7 239.0 28.0 2.5 245.6 220.2 101.0 71.6 40.2 275.7 242.8 118.6 18 359.6 331.0 120.1 94.6 337.7 312.3 193.0 163.5 132.1 7.5 334.6 210.4 19 91.6 63.0 212.1 186.7 69.8 44.3 285.0 255.4 223.9 99.4 66.5 302.3 20 183.5 155.0 304.2 278.8 161.9 136.4 17.0 347.4 315.8 191.2 158.3 34.2 21 275.5 247.0 36.2 10.9 254.0 228.4 109.0 79.3 47.6 283.1 250.2 126.1 22 7.4 339.0 128.3 103.0 346.1 320.5 201.0 171.2 139.5 14.9 342.0 218.0 23 99.4 71.0 220.4 195.1 78.2 52.5 292.9 263.1 231.4 106.7 73.9 309.8 24 191.3 163.1 312.5 287.2 170.3 144.6 24.9 355.0 323.2 198.6 165.7 41.7 25 283.3 255.1 44.5 19.3 262.4 236.6 116.9 86.9 55.1 290.4 257.6 133.6 26 15.3 347.1 136.6 111.5 354.5 328.7 208.9 178.8 146.9 22.3 349.4 225.5 27 107.2 79.1 228.7 203.6 86.6 60.7 300.8 270.7 238.8 114.1 81.3 317.4 28 199.2 171.2 320.8 295.7 178.7 152.7 32.8 2.6 330.6 205.9 173.1 49.3 29 291.2 263.2 52.8 27.8 270.8 244.8 124.7 94.5 62.5 297.8 265.0 141.2 30 23.1 144.9 119.9 2.9 336.8 216.7 186.4 154.3 29.6 356.8 233.1 31 115.1 237.0 94.9 308.7 278.3 121.5 325.0

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º 1 33.83 7 236.83 10 5.64 1 0.56 6 3.38 2 67.67 8 270.67 20 11.28 2 1.13 7 3.95 3 101.50 9 304.50 30 16.92 3 1.69 8 4.51 4 135.33 10 338.33 40 22.56 4 2.26 9 5.08 5 169.17 11 372.17 50 28.19 5 2.82 10 5.64 6 203.00 12 406.00 60 33.83

System II applies to all objects situated north of the south component of the North Equatorial Belt or south of the north component of the South Equatorial Belt. However System III is used more often for these regions.

Page 82: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

80 Saturn BAA Handbook 2016

LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF SATURNSYSTEM III

Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º 1 322.4 255.4 8.5 305.0 151.7 89.3 295.0 229.4 161.5 1.4 291.1 130.3 2 53.1 346.1 99.3 35.8 242.6 180.2 25.8 320.1 252.2 92.0 21.7 221.0 3 143.8 76.9 190.2 126.7 333.5 271.1 116.6 50.9 342.9 182.7 112.4 311.6 4 234.6 167.7 281.0 217.6 64.4 2.0 207.4 141.6 73.6 273.3 203.0 42.3 5 325.3 258.5 11.8 308.5 155.3 92.9 298.3 232.4 164.3 3.9 293.6 132.9 6 56.0 349.2 102.7 39.4 246.2 183.7 29.1 323.1 254.9 94.6 24.3 223.6 7 146.7 80.0 193.5 130.3 337.1 274.6 119.9 53.8 345.6 185.2 114.9 314.2 8 237.4 170.8 284.3 221.1 68.0 5.5 210.7 144.6 76.3 275.9 205.5 44.9 9 328.2 261.6 15.2 312.0 158.9 96.3 301.5 235.3 166.9 6.5 296.2 135.6 10 58.9 352.4 106.0 42.9 249.8 187.2 32.3 326.0 257.6 97.1 26.8 226.2 11 149.6 83.2 196.9 133.8 340.7 278.1 123.1 56.8 348.3 187.8 117.4 316.9 12 240.4 173.9 287.7 224.7 71.6 8.9 213.9 147.5 79.0 278.4 208.1 47.5 13 331.1 264.7 18.6 315.6 162.5 99.8 304.7 238.2 169.6 9.1 298.7 138.2 14 61.8 355.5 109.4 46.5 253.3 190.7 35.5 328.9 260.3 99.7 29.4 228.9 15 152.6 86.3 200.3 137.4 344.2 281.5 126.3 59.6 350.9 190.3 120.0 319.5 16 243.3 177.1 291.1 228.2 75.1 12.4 217.1 150.4 81.6 281.0 210.6 50.2 17 334.0 267.9 22.0 319.1 166.0 103.2 307.9 241.1 172.3 11.6 301.3 140.9 18 64.8 358.7 112.8 50.0 256.9 194.1 38.6 331.8 262.9 102.2 31.9 231.5 19 155.5 89.5 203.7 140.9 347.8 284.9 129.4 62.5 353.6 192.9 122.6 322.2 20 246.3 180.3 294.5 231.8 78.7 15.8 220.2 153.2 84.2 283.5 213.2 52.9 21 337.0 271.2 25.4 322.7 169.6 106.6 311.0 243.9 174.9 14.1 303.8 143.6 22 67.8 2.0 116.3 53.6 260.5 197.5 41.8 334.6 265.5 104.8 34.5 234.2 23 158.5 92.8 207.1 144.5 351.4 288.3 132.5 65.3 356.2 195.4 125.1 324.9 24 249.3 183.6 298.0 235.4 82.3 19.2 223.3 156.0 86.8 286.0 215.8 55.6 25 340.0 274.4 28.9 326.3 173.2 110.0 314.1 246.7 177.5 16.7 306.4 146.3 26 70.8 5.2 119.7 57.2 264.0 200.8 44.8 337.4 268.1 107.3 37.1 237.0 27 161.5 96.0 210.6 148.1 354.9 291.7 135.6 68.1 358.8 197.9 127.7 327.6 28 252.3 186.9 301.5 239.0 85.8 22.5 226.4 158.8 89.4 288.6 218.4 58.3 29 343.1 277.7 32.3 329.9 176.7 113.3 317.1 249.5 180.1 19.2 309.0 149.0 30 73.8 123.2 60.8 267.6 204.2 47.9 340.2 270.7 109.8 39.7 239.7 31 164.6 214.1 358.5 138.6 70.9 200.5 330.4

CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º 1 33.78 7 236.48 10 5.63 1 0.56 6 3.38 2 67.57 8 270.26 20 11.26 2 1.13 7 3.94 3 101.35 9 304.05 30 16.89 3 1.69 8 4.50 4 135.13 10 337.83 40 22.52 4 2.25 9 5.07 5 168.92 11 371.61 50 28.15 5 2.82 10 5.63 6 202.70 12 405.40 60 33.78System III also applies to all objects situated north of the south component of the North Equatorial Belt or south of the north component of the South Equatorial Belt. This longitude system is based upon the rotation period of the planet’s magnetic field as defined by the International Astronomical Union.

Page 83: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Saturn 81

SATELLITES OF SATURNMIMAS, ENCELADUS AND TETHYS

Mimas Enceladus Tethys Each fourth eastern elongation Each third eastern elongation Each second eastern elongation d h d h d h d h d h d h

Jan. 1 17.5 Jul. 4 10.55 12.0 8 05.09 06.5 11 23.4

13 01.0 15 17.916 19.5 19 12.320 14.0 23 06.824 08.5 27 01.328 03.0 30 19.731 21.5 Aug. 3 14.2

Feb. 4 16.0 7 08.78 10.4 11 03.2

12 04.9 14 21.615 23.4 18 16.119 17.9 22 10.623 12.4 26 05.127 06.9 29 23.6

Mar. 2 01.4 Sep. 2 18.15 19.8 6 12.69 14.3 10 07.0

13 08.8 14 01.517 03.3 17 20.020 21.7 21 14.524 16.2 25 09.028 10.7 29 03.5

Apr. 1 05.1 Oct. 2 22.04 23.6 6 16.58 18.1 10 11.0

12 12.5 14 05.516 07.0 18 00.020 01.4 21 18.523 19.9 25 13.027 14.4 29 07.5

May 1 08.8 Nov. 2 02.15 03.3 5 20.68 21.7 9 15.1

12 16.2 13 09.616 10.6 17 04.120 05.1 20 22.623 23.5 24 17.127 18.0 28 11.631 12.4 Dec. 2 06.1

Jun. 4 06.9 6 00.68 01.3 9 19.1

11 19.8 13 13.715 14.2 17 08.219 08.7 21 02.723 03.1 24 21.226 21.6 28 15.730 16.0

Note: For intervening eastern elongations add: Mimas 0d 22.6h or 1d 21.2h or 2d 19.9h

Enceladus 1d 08.9h or 2d 17.8h

Tethys 1d 21.3h

Jan. 1 15.6 Jul. 4 14.85 18.3 8 17.59 21.0 12 20.1

13 23.7 16 22.818 02.4 21 01.422 05.1 25 04.026 07.8 29 06.730 10.4 Aug. 2 09.4

Feb. 3 13.1 6 12.07 15.8 10 14.7

11 18.5 14 17.315 21.2 18 20.019 23.8 22 22.724 02.5 27 01.328 05.2 31 04.0

Mar. 3 07.8 Sep. 4 06.77 10.5 8 09.4

11 13.1 12 12.115 15.8 16 14.719 18.4 20 17.423 21.1 24 20.127 23.7 28 22.8

Apr. 1 02.4 Oct. 3 01.55 05.0 7 04.29 07.7 11 06.9

13 10.3 15 09.617 12.9 19 12.321 15.6 23 15.025 18.2 27 17.729 20.8 31 20.4

May 3 23.4 Nov. 4 23.18 02.1 9 01.8

12 04.7 13 04.516 07.3 17 07.220 09.9 21 09.924 12.6 25 12.628 15.2 29 15.4

Jun. 1 17.8 Dec. 3 18.15 20.4 7 20.89 23.1 11 23.5

14 01.7 16 02.218 04.3 20 04.922 06.9 24 07.626 09.6 28 10.330 12.2

Jan. 2 07.3 Jul. 5 07.16 02.0 9 01.79 20.7 12 20.3

13 15.3 16 14.917 10.0 20 09.521 04.7 24 04.124 23.3 27 22.728 18.0 31 17.3

Feb. 1 12.6 Aug. 4 11.95 07.3 8 06.69 01.9 12 01.2

12 20.5 15 19.816 15.2 19 14.420 09.8 23 09.124 04.5 27 03.727 23.1 30 22.3

Mar. 2 17.7 Sep. 3 17.06 12.3 7 11.6

10 07.0 11 06.214 01.6 15 00.917 20.2 18 19.521 14.8 22 14.225 09.4 26 08.929 04.0 30 03.5

Apr. 1 22.6 Oct. 3 22.25 17.2 7 16.89 11.8 11 11.5

13 06.4 15 06.217 01.0 19 00.820 19.6 22 19.524 14.1 26 14.228 08.7 30 08.9

May 2 03.3 Nov. 3 03.55 21.9 6 22.29 16.5 10 16.9

13 11.0 14 11.617 05.6 18 06.221 00.2 22 00.924 18.8 25 19.628 13.3 29 14.3

Jun. 1 07.9 Dec. 3 08.95 02.5 7 03.68 21.1 10 22.3

12 15.6 14 17.016 10.2 18 11.720 04.8 22 06.323 23.4 26 01.027 18.0 29 19.7

Jul. 1 12.5

Page 84: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

82 Satellites of Saturn BAA Handbook 2016

SATELLITES OF SATURNDIONE AND RHEA

Dione Rhea Each second eastern elongation Each second eastern elongation d h d h d h d h d h d h

Jan. 1 03.2 Apr. 19 15.3 Aug. 7 01.6 Jan. 5 04.8 May 10 17.4 Sep. 14 03.9 6 14.6 25 02.7 12 12.9 14 06.0 19 18.1 23 04.9 12 02.1 30 14.0 18 00.3 23 07.1 28 18.7 Oct. 2 06.0 17 13.6 May 6 01.3 23 11.7 Feb. 1 08.2 Jun. 6 19.3 11 07.1 23 01.1 11 12.6 28 23.1 10 09.2 15 19.9 20 08.2 28 12.5 16 23.9 Sep. 3 10.5 19 10.2 24 20.5 29 09.4Feb. 3 00.0 22 11.1 8 22.0 28 11.2 Jul. 3 21.2 Nov. 7 10.5 8 11.4 27 22.4 14 09.4 Mar. 8 12.1 12 21.9 16 11.7 13 22.9 Jun. 2 09.7 19 20.9 17 13.0 21 22.6 25 12.9 19 10.3 7 21.0 25 08.3 26 13.9 30 23.4 Dec. 4 14.1 24 21.7 13 08.3 30 19.8 Apr. 4 14.6 Aug. 9 00.2 13 15.3Mar. 1 09.1 18 19.6 Oct. 6 07.2 13 15.4 18 01.0 22 16.5 6 20.5 24 06.9 11 18.7 22 16.1 27 02.0 31 17.7 12 07.9 29 18.2 17 06.2 May 1 16.8 Sep. 5 02.9 17 19.3 Jul. 5 05.5 22 17.7 23 06.6 10 16.8 28 05.2 28 18.0 16 04.2 Nov. 2 16.7 Note: For an intervening eastern elongation add: Apr. 3 05.3 21 15.5 8 04.2 8 16.7 27 02.8 13 15.7 Dione 2d 17.7h 14 04.0 Aug. 1 14.2 ---- -- -------- Rhea 4d 12.4h

TITAN AND HYPERION Titan Hyperion E. Elong. Inf. Conj’n W. Elong. Sup. Conj’n E.Elong. W Elong. d h d h d h d h d h d h

Jan. 2 14.4 Jan. 6 10.4 Jan. 10 14.7 Jan. 14 18.6 Jan. 4 01.4 Jan. 14 06.3 18 15.1 22 10.9 26 15.2 30 18.9 25 13.8 Feb. 4 18.7Feb. 3 15.4 Feb. 7 11.2 Feb. 11 15.4 Feb. 15 18.9 Feb. 16 01.6 26 06.3 19 15.3 23 11.0 27 15.2 Mar. 2 18.5 Mar. 8 12.4 Mar. 18 16.5Mar. 6 14.8 Mar. 10 10.3 Mar. 14 14.5 18 17.6 29 21.9 Apr. 9 01.4 22 13.8 26 09.2 30 13.2 Apr. 3 16.3 Apr. 20 06.1 30 08.8Apr. 7 12.2 Apr. 11 07.6 Apr. 15 11.4 19 14.4 May 11 12.9 May 21 15.0 23 10.2 27 05.6 May 1 09.1 May 5 12.2 Jun. 1 18.9 Jun. 11 20.5May 9 07.8 May 13 03.2 17 06.5 21 09.6 23 00.3 Jul. 3 01.8 25 05.2 29 00.5 Jun. 2 03.7 Jun. 6 07.0 Jul. 14 05.7 24 07.4Jun. 10 02.4 Jun. 13 21.9 18 00.9 22 04.3 Aug. 4 11.5 Aug. 14 13.5 25 23.8 29 19.3 Jul. 3 22.3 Jul. 8 01.9 25 17.9 Sep. 4 20.4Jul. 11 21.4 Jul. 15 17.1 19 20.0 23 23.8 Sep. 16 00.8 26 04.0 27 19.3 31 15.2 Aug. 4 18.2 Aug. 8 22.2 Oct. 7 08.2 Oct. 17 12.1Aug. 12 17.8 Aug. 16 13.8 20 16.8 24 21.0 28 16.0 Nov. 7 20.6 28 16.7 Sep. 1 12.8 Sep. 5 16.0 Sep. 9 20.3 Nov. 19 00.0 29 05.3Sep. 13 16.1 17 12.3 21 15.7 25 20.1 Dec. 10 07.9 Dec. 20 13.8 29 16.0 Oct. 3 12.3 Oct. 7 15.8 Oct. 11 20.2 31 15.7 Oct. 15 16.2 19 12.6 23 16.3 27 20.7 31 16.8 Nov. 4 13.1 Nov. 8 17.1 Nov. 12 21.4 Nov. 16 17.5 20 13.9 24 18.1 28 22.3 Dec. 2 18.4 Dec. 6 14.8 Dec. 10 19.1 Dec. 14 23.2 18 19.4 22 15.8 26 20.2 31 00.0

Position-angle and angular-distances can be obtained from JPL’s Horizons web page at:http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?horizons

(see page 115)

Page 85: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Satellites of Saturn 83

TITAN

Saturn is in conjunction with Sun during December.

Page 86: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

84 Satellites of Saturn BAA Handbook 2016

IAPETUSIapetus shows variations in brightness, and is always brighter at western elongation than at eastern. The diagrams show the apparent path of Iapetus relative to Saturn, the units being in seconds of arc. Conjunction of Saturn is indicated by the faint portion of the orbit path from Nov.10 to Dec.31. E. Elong. Inf. Conj’n. W. Elong. Sup. Conj’n. d h d h d h d h

Jan. 16 03.1 Feb. 6 00.5 Feb. 25 21.2 Mar. 15 17.8 Apr. 5 08.3 Apr. 25 14.1 May 14 18.8 Jun. 2 09.2 Jun. 22 05.7 Jul. 12 18.4 Jul. 31 18.4 Aug. 20 00.1 Sep. 9 01.7 Sep. 30 08.7 Oct. 19 21.2 Nov. 8 12.6 Nov. 29 07.8 Dec. 20 15.3

Page 87: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Uranus 85

URANUSUranus is at opposition on October 15, magnitude 5.7, diameter 3.7"

Page 88: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

86 Neptune BAA Handbook 2016

NEPTUNENeptune is at opposition on September 2, magnitude 7.8, diameter 2.4"

Page 89: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Trans-Neptunian Objects 87

Trans–Neptunian & Scattered–Disk Objects

The list comprises the date, magnitude, geocentric position and apparent motion, when at opposition in 2016, of the 25 most intrinsically bright objects known as of 2015 January 25. The sizes of the smaller objects listed are speculative given that they are based on an estimated albedo only. If you wish to observe an object then go to the website of the Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at:

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

Here you enter the date and the designation of the object(s) you wish to observe. Given the extreme distance of these objects, the geocentric position will be sufficiently accurate for any location on the Earth.

Object Opposition Approx. MotionNumber/Name Prov ID Date V H Diam. Δ RA Dec. Speed P km au h m º ' "/min º

(136199) Eris 2003 UB313 Oct. 16 18.7 -1.2 2330 95.27 1 43.0 -2 44.3 0.025 252(134340) Pluto - Jul. 8 14.4 -0.8 2370 32.12 19 08.6 -21 07.2 0.062 259(136472) Makemake 2005 FY9 Mar. 22 16.9 -0.4 1450 51.57 12 55.4 +25 45.0 0.042 296(136108) Haumea 2003 EL61 Apr. 12 17.2 0.1 1500* 49.76 14 05.7 +17 38.7 0.043 294(90377) Sedna 2003 VB12 Nov. 18 20.8 1.5 1000 84.56 3 43.7 +7 22.3 0.025 257(225088) 2007 OR10 Aug. 26 21.4 2.0 1240 86.59 22 22.6 -12 43.8 0.026 251(90482) Orcus 2004 DW Feb. 26 19.1 2.2 940 47.12 10 05.6 -9 15.9 0.046 290(50000) Quaoar 2002 LM60 Jun. 19 18.7 2.4 890 41.95 17 52.5 -15 23.1 0.049 271 2013 FY27 Mar. 5 22.1 3.0 900 79.25 10 42.7 -6 58.3 0.029 295(55636) 2002 TX300 Oct. 24 19.6 3.3 300 41.45 1 11.6 +34 02.7 0.051 247(202421) 2005 UQ513 Oct. 16 20.3 3.4 500 47.31 0 39.9 +32 07.4 0.045 245(174567) Varda 2003 MW12 Jun. 8 20.2 3.4 700 46.02 17 13.6 -1 47.8 0.045 276(229762) 2007 UK126 Nov. 30 19.8 3.4 610 41.88 4 39.6 +0 25.6 0.050 264(55565) 2002 AW197 Feb. 17 20.1 3.5 730 44.76 9 41.8 -0 07.6 0.048 286(303775) 2005 QU182 Oct. 10 20.7 3.5 420 50.81 1 20.8 -5 08.8 0.041 249(120178) 2003 OP32 Aug. 31 19.9 3.6 230 41.16 22 17.3 +3 06.5 0.051 244(28978) Ixion 2001 KX76 Jun. 14 19.6 3.6 650 38.94 17 30.4 +27 46.0 0.053 270(20000) Varuna 2000 WR106 Jan. 19 20.0 3.6 1000 42.81 8 05.7 +26 48.0 0.050 285(307261) 2002 MS4 Jun. 30 20.4 3.7 870 45.83 18 33.2 -7 03.0 0.046 268(208996) 2003 AZ84 Jan. 22 20.3 3.8 700 43.83 8 04.1 +9 35.3 0.049 281(55637) 2002 UX25 Nov. 4 19.9 3.8 680 39.76 2 44.4 +9 34.2 0.053 249 2010 EK139 Apr. 27 19.5 3.8 470 36.12 13 41.8 -36 50.8 0.056 288(84522) 2002 TC302 Nov. 5 20.3 3.8 580 43.87 2 22.5 +27 49.3 0.049 256(278361) 2007 JJ43 May 31 20.0 3.8 700 40.14 16 30.0 -26 41.6 0.051 281(145452) 2005 RN43 Sep. 4 20.0 3.9 680 39.63 22 38.3 +0 52.0 0.052 244

*Haumea is asymmetric in shape being roughly 1940km x 1530km x 993km in size.

Page 90: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

88 Dwarf Planets BAA Handbook 2016

Pluto is at opposition, in Sagittarius, on July 7 at magnitude 14.1. Its brightness varies little throughout the year, ranging in visual magnitude from 14.1 to 14.3.Charts prepared using GUIDE 8.0. Stars down to magnitude 12.0 are shown.

DWARF PLANETS(134340) Pluto

Page 91: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Dwarf Planets 89

DWARF PLANETS(134340) Pluto

Detailed charts around the time of opposition. Jun. 7 to Jul. 7 Jul. 7 to Aug. 7

The charts show stars down to magnitude 14.

Page 92: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

90 Dwarf Planets BAA Handbook 2016

DWARF PLANETSORBITAL ELEMENTS

The geocentric data below have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

Equinox J2000, Epoch of the elements, JD 2457000.5, 2014 Dec. 09.0 TT No. Name a e i Node Peri. M au ° ° ° ° 1 Ceres 2.768 0.076 10.593 80.329 72.522 95.989134340 Pluto 39.420 0.249 17.168 110.285 113.240 36.914136108 Haumea 43.217 0.191 28.192 121.792 240.200 209.075136199 Eris 67.782 0.441 44.044 35.953 150.978 204.161136472 Makemake 45.712 0.156 29.007 79.366 297.227 156.369

More information on asteroids and dwarf planets can be found on the website of the Asteroid and Remote Planets Section at: http://www.britastro.org/asteroids/

EPHEMERIDESThe data below have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at:

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

Equinox J2000, Epoch of the elements, JD 2457000.5, 2014 Dec. 09.0 TT

1 Ceres2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Apr. 30 0 33 40.5 -05 29 16 3.727 2.961 35.2 9.3May 10 0 47 12.9 -04 12 30 3.644 2.958 41.1 9.3 20 1 00 23.3 -03 00 44 3.550 2.955 47.1 9.3 30 1 13 08.2 -01 54 38 3.445 2.952 53.2 9.3Jun. 9 1 25 22.8 -00 54 59 3.332 2.948 59.4 9.2 19 1 37 0.4 -00 02 33 3.211 2.944 65.8 9.2 29 1 47 54.1 +00 42 00 3.083 2.940 72.4 9.1Jul. 9 1 57 54.7 +01 17 55 2.950 2.936 79.3 9.1 19 2 06 51.1 +01 44 32 2.814 2.931 86.4 9.0 29 2 14 31.4 +02 01 17 2.676 2.927 93.9 8.9 Aug. 8 2 20 40.8 +02 07 40 2.540 2.922 101.8 8.7 18 2 25 04.0 +02 03 27 2.408 2.917 110.2 8.6 28 2 27 26.2 +01 48 50 2.284 2.911 119.0 8.4Sep. 7 2 27 33.3 +01 24 28 2.170 2.906 128.4 8.2 17 2 25 18.1 +00 52 01 2.071 2.900 138.3 8.0

27 2 20 43.1 +00 14 13 1.991 2.894 148.5 7.8Oct. 7 2 14 03.8 -00 25 04 1.935 2.888 158.5 7.6 17 2 05 54.7 -01 00 49 1.905 2.882 166.1 7.5 27 1 57 03.7 -01 27 57 1.902 2.875 165.6 7.5Nov. 6 1 48 26.6 -01 42 05 1.928 2.869 157.4 7.6

16 1 40 57.9 -01 40 21 1.981 2.862 147.1 7.8 26 1 35 17.9 -01 21 59 2.057 2.855 136.6 8.0Dec. 6 1 31 52.0 -00 47 38 2.152 2.848 126.3 8.2 16 1 30 50.3 +00 00 54 2.263 2.841 116.4 8.4 26 1 32 09.3 +01 01 20 2.384 2.834 107.1 8.5

Page 93: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Dwarf Planets 91

DWARF PLANETS

134340 Pluto2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Apr. 10 19 13 56.7 -20 51 44 33.007 33.076 93.1 14.6 30 19 13 52.6 -20 52 55 32.688 33.088 112.6 14.6May 20 19 13 00.4 -20 55 40 32.413 33.101 132.2 14.5Jun. 9 19 11 29.1 -20 59 45 32.216 33.113 151.7 14.5 29 19 09 32.3 -21 04 47 32.121 33.126 171.2 14.4 Jul. 19 19 07 27.4 -21 10 14 32.140 33.138 169.1 14.4Aug. 8 19 05 32.8 -21 15 35 32.273 33.151 149.6 14.5 28 19 04 05.6 -21 20 22 32.505 33.163 130.0 14.5Sep. 17 19 03 19.2 -21 24 12 32.812 33.176 110.4 14.6Oct. 7 19 03 22.0 -21 26 49 33.160 33.189 90.8 14.6

136108 Haumea2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 21 14 08 25.9 +16 50 57 50.552 50.663 95.9 17.3Feb. 10 14 08 28.9 +17 02 25 50.255 50.659 113.7 17.3Mar. 1 14 08 00.5 +17 15 12 50.007 50.655 130.5 17.3 21 14 07 05.7 +17 27 33 49.837 50.652 144.5 17.2Apr. 10 14 05 52.7 +17 37 50 49.765 50.648 151.5 17.2 30 14 04 32.2 +17 44 40 49.797 50.644 146.9 17.2May 20 14 03 15.3 +17 47 11 49.928 50.640 134.3 17.3Jun. 9 14 02 12.6 +17 45 05 50.140 50.636 118.8 17.3 29 14 01 32.5 +17 38 37 50.407 50.632 102.3 17.3

136199 Eris2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jul. 19 01 44 55.6 -02 28 09 96.199 96.259 93.1 18.7Aug. 8 01 44 50.8 -02 30 39 95.875 96.255 111.7 18.7 28 01 44 31.3 -02 34 14 95.593 96.251 130.4 18.7Sep. 17 01 43 59.2 -02 38 26 95.386 96.247 148.8 18.7Oct. 7 01 43 18.5 -02 42 38 95.279 96.243 164.6 18.7 27 01 42 33.8 -02 46 14 95.287 96.239 163.4 18.7Nov. 16 01 41 51.0 -02 48 41 95.409 96.236 146.6 18.7Dec. 6 01 41 15.5 -02 49 34 95.632 96.232 127.3 18.7 26 01 40 51.9 -02 48 40 95.928 96.228 107.5 18.7

136472 Makemake2016 RA Dec. ∆ r Elong. V h m s ° ' " au au ° Jan. 1 12 58 03.0 +24 58 27 52.316 52.432 96.3 17.0 21 12 58 07.1 +25 09 19 52.027 52.434 114.0 16.9Feb. 10 12 57 39.5 +25 21 49 51.788 52.436 130.7 16.9Mar. 1 12 56 44.7 +25 34 09 51.628 52.439 144.6 16.9 21 12 55 30.8 +25 44 36 51.567 52.441 151.0 16.9 Apr. 10 12 54 08.6 +25 51 39 51.611 52.443 145.8 16.9 30 12 52 49.8 +25 54 19 51.753 52.445 133.0 16.9May 20 12 51 44.9 +25 52 15 51.975 52.447 117.3 16.9Jun. 9 12 51 02.6 +25 45 38 52.251 52.449 100.7 17.0

Page 94: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

92 Comets BAA Handbook 2016

The date of perihelion (T), perihelion distance (q), period (P), the number of previously observed returns (N), and the parameters for calculating magnitude (H1 and K1) (see below), are given for each comet.

These data are followed by approximate values for: the brightest magnitude during 2016, the date and elongation at this time, the period when the comet is brighter than 14th magnitude and the period of visibility when the comet is brighter than 20th magnitude for the UK (52°N) and Southern Hemisphere (35°S). Some periodic comets show a flat light curve with the comet at a similar brightness for over a month and the figures are more approximate for these than for others which have a much more sharply defined maximum brightness.

Ephemerides for comets due to return are no longer given in the Handbook. Orbital elements and/or ephemerides are available at the Minor Planet Center at

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

or the Comet Section web page at : http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~jds

and the Comet Orbit Home Page : http://jcometobs.web.fc2.com/

and the JPL Small-Body Database Browser: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi#top

Further information about the visibility of the brighter objects will be included in the 2015 December BAA Journal.

The SOHO comets are only likely to be visible in the STEREO or SOHO fields, and are brightest close to the Sun near the time of perihelion; no details are given for them. 1884 O1 (D/Barnard), 1894 F1 (D/Denning), 1918 W1 (D/Schorr), 1978 R1 (D/Haneda-Campos) have not been seen since their discovery apparitions, but may be recovered by chance.

The relation between perihelion (q), aphelion (Q) and semi–major axis (a) is: a = (Q + q)/2. If required, the mean daily motion (n, expressed in degrees) can be computed from: n = 0.985608/(a3/2). The period is given by Kepler’s third law: P2 = a3 (where P is expressed in sidereal years and a in Astronomical Units). Magnitude parameters are from determinations by the BAA’s Comet Section or from the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams; the magnitude is usually given by V = H1 + 5 (log Δ) + K1 (log r), where Δ is the distance of the comet from Earth and r is its distance from the Sun, both in Astronomical Units. Note that some PC ephemeris programs require K1/2.5 to be entered rather than K1.

The BAA’s Computing Section website has charts for many comets, updated monthly:http://britastro.org/computing/charts_comet.html

and also the ability to see which comets are visible on any night using "What’s observable":

http://britastro.org/computing/applets_ecliptic.html

Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann This annual comet has frequent outbursts and over the past few years seems to be more often active than not, though it rarely gets brighter than 12m. This comet is an ideal target for those equipped with CCDs and it should be observed at every opportunity.

COMETS

Page 95: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Comets 93

SCH

WA

SSM

AN

N-W

AC

HM

AN

N [2

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Page 96: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

94 Comets BAA Handbook 2016

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Page 97: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Comets 95

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Page 98: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

96 Comets BAA Handbook 2016

COMETS

Comet name Designation From To V m d m d

Palomar C/2012 LP26 1 12 1 16 19.1Hill 211P/ 1 15 1 25 16.9Schwartz C/2014 B1 1 19 2 18 18.9LINEAR-NEAT 204P/ 1 21 1 29 14.9Clark 71P/ 1 27 1 29 16.6LINEAR-Hill P/2008 QP20 1 28 2 11 19.1PANSTARRS C/2012 K1 2 11 2 13 16.1Spitaler 113P/ 2 18 2 30 16.5Palomar C/2012 LP26 2 25 2 29 19.1PANSTARRS C/2014 G3 2 28 3 23 19.9Holvorcem C/2013 U2 3 3 3 23 19.2Jedicke 269P/ 3 3 3 25 17.7PANSTARRS C/2013 W2 3 5 4 2 19.3PANSTARRS C/2012 K1 3 12 3 16 16.3Van Ness 213P/ 3 23 3 27 18.6Longmore 77P/ 4 6 4 14 15.1Borisov C/2013 V2 4 18 5 22 18.5Russell 89P/ 4 26 5 10 19.1Comas Sola 32P/ 5 4 5 30 19.0Wild 116P/ 5 13 5 23 11.3Borisov C/2014 Q3 5 18 5 20 20.0LINEAR P/2004 FYE0 5 18 6 9 18.2Schwartz C/2014 B1 7 1 7 21 19.1Boattini P/2008 T1 7 19 8 4 17.5Van Biesbroeck 53P/ 7 31 8 14 15.2Palomar C/2012 LP26 8 3 9 12 18.9Catalina-PANSTARRS 299P/ 8 14 8 22 20.0LINEAR 176P/ 8 18 9 1 18.4Schwartz C/2014 B1 8 18 9 5 19.0Vaisala-Oterma 139P/ 8 18 9 7 18.3Lovas 93P/ 8 21 9 2 15.0PANSTARRS C/2012 F3 8 25 9 26 17.6Gehrels 90P/ 8 29 9 12 18.8LINEAR-Mueller 188P/ 8 29 9 10 13.5Spacewatch (300163) 288P/ 9 6 9 14 18.8Lemmon-PANSTARRS 302P/ 9 10 9 24 19.7Spacewatch C/2011 KP36 9 20 10 14 14.5Echeclus (60558) 174P/ 9 24 10 30 17.2Read 238P/ 9 29 10 11 18.9McMillan 208P/ 9 30 10 14 15.2Gibbs P/2007 R3 10 8 10 22 19.1La Sagra 279P/ 10 17 10 23 18.1Kopff 22P/ 11 2 11 16 17.2Shoemaker-Holt 128P-B 11 8 11 24 15.0Catalina-LINEAR 227P/ 11 12 11 24 19.4Read P/2005 S3 11 14 11 28 17.8Tempel 10P/ 12 14 12 24 14.8

Comets at small phase angle or near 180°

Comets reaching small phase angles can become significantly brighter than given by the standard simple light curve. The photometric parameters over the period when the comet is at a small phase angle provide informa-tion about the nature of the material in the coma. Daily photometric observations during the indicated periods are encouraged.

Page 99: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Meteor Diary 97

METEORSThis diary includes all regular major and some of the more reliable minor streams. Radiant data (UT, Alt.) and twilight data are for observers at the standard latitudes 52°N and 35°S, on the Greenwich meridian. Moonrise and moonset may be determined from the data on pages 24–27. Where two radiants are given for one shower, the radiant on the same line as the times of twilight has been used for calculating the altitudes. All times are in UT. Normal limits are the dates between which the shower rates are normally greater than 25 per cent of the sporadic rate for the period.

Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is the probable hourly rate for a single experienced observer watching a clear sky with limiting magnitude 6.5 with the shower radiant in the zenith. To a first approximation, the observed hourly rate (OHR) is given by:

OHR = ZHR sin a

where a is the radiant elevation. Hence high rates cannot be expected if the radiant is low. Sky conditions can alter rates considerably and consequently observers should record the approximate naked eye limiting magnitude in the areas being watched during each observing session. The rates given are the maximum ones, and are only a guide in view of the inherent variability of showers.

Twilight here is nautical, starting and ending when the Sun is 12° below the horizon.

Telescopic Activity: If a number is given this is an approximate relative telescopic rate (sporadic rate = 1.0). If there is no entry the shower is deficient in faint meteors. However, many of the numbers are speculative. Observations using wide-field CCD imaging may help augment telescopic meteor work in the future.

Radiant Daily Motion: Where available, these come from the Working List of Meteor Showers published by the IAU Meteor Data Center (MDC). Meteor radiants are not stationary because of the Earth’s motion around the Sun. They move about one degree of ecliptic longitude per day. The daily motions should be applied to determine the radiant positions at dates other than maximum. The positions of several shower radiants at maximum have been revised following analysis of recent video meteor data by Alex Pratt, William Stewart and Leonard Entwisle.

Special Notes for 2016: Bright moonlight has an adverse effect on meteor observing, and for about five days to either side of Full Moon, lunar glare swamps all but the brighter meteors. Visual observers may, however, minimize the effects of moonlight by positioning themselves so the Moon is behind them and hidden behind a wall or other suitable obstruction. In 2016, the maxima of the Lyrids, Northern Taurids, Leonids and Geminids will all suffer interference by moonlight. Lyrid maximum on Apr. 21 coincides with a virtually full Moon in Virgo. In autumn, the broad peak of the Northern Taurids around Nov. 12 occurs just before full Moon, although the Southern Taurids which peak five days earlier will be less affected. Observations of the Leonids later in November will be hampered by a Moon only a couple of days past full on the Taurus/Gemini border, which is a pity as the peak is near 04h, a good time for UK observers. The Geminids, which are now the richest of the annual meteor showers, also coincide with a virtually full Moon in Taurus.

There are many excellent observing opportunities in 2016. The peak of the Quadrantids occurs just after dawn in the UK on Jan. 04, but good rates should be seen in the early morning hours, weather permitting. The Eta Aquarids in early May coincide with new Moon, and shower members may be observed in the eastern sky as the radiant rises before dawn. The complex of showers which peak in late July and early August, e.g. the Capricornids, Delta Aquarids, Piscis Australids, Alpha Capricornids and Iota Aquarids, are very well placed with respect to the Moon this year, and the combined activity of all these showers should provide observers with good observed rates at this time. Perseid maximum occurs during daylight hours from the UK, but high activity should be seen on the nights of Aug. 11/12 and Aug. 12/13. The Moon will be a waxing gibbous in Ophiuchus, setting at around midnight. Of the autumn showers, conditions are quite favourable for the later parts of the broad Orionid peak, although maximum itself will be affected by a waning last quarter Moon in Cancer. Taurid activity in late October/early November should also be relatively unaffected by moonlight. The Ursids in late December are also quite favourable this year and, although rates are low, this is a shower badly in need of observation.

As always, observations away from the major shower maxima, and of year-round sporadic activity, are every bit as important to the work of the Association’s Meteor Section as those obtained when high rates are anticipated.

Page 100: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

98 Meteor Diary BAA Handbook 2016

METEORS METEORS

EpochRadiant Position Latitude 52°N Latitude 35°S

Notes

Maximum Daily Motion Twilight Radiant Twilight Radiant

Showerλ☉

(2000.0) Maximum Normal Limits ZHR

at Max.R.A. Dec. R.A. Dec. Telescopic

ActivityLocal Time of Transit Date

Age of Moon Ends Begins UT Alt. Ends Begins UT Alt.

° hh:mm (°) ° ° ° h d h h h ° h h h °Quadrantids 283.2 Jan. 4d 09h Jan. 1-6 80? 15:20 (230) +50 +0.4 –0.2 1.5 8.5 Jan. 4 24 17.4 6.7 00

03 06

214046

– – – – Blue and yellow meteors. Diffuse radiant except at peak. Strong in 1992. Quite favourable.

Virginids 022 Apr. 11-12 Mar.-Apr.Apr. 6-17

55

14:04 (211)13:36 (204)

–09–11

? 0.7 0.3

Apr. 11 4 20.2 3.8 220104

202916

18.6 5.4 200004

216238

The two most prominent of several radiants in Virgo, active March-April. Slow, long paths.

Lyrids 032 Apr. 21d 22h Apr. 18-25 10 18:08 (272) +33 +1.10 0.0 –

4.2 Apr. 21 14 20.6 3.4 210003

154166

18.4 5.6 010305

092122

Normally rather moderate activity, but fine displays in 1803, 1922, 1982. Unfavourable.

η Aquarids 045 May 5-6 Apr. 24- May 20

40 22:30 (338) –01 +0.70 +0.3 –

7.6 May 5 28 21.1 2.8 0203

0312

18.2 5.7 020406

052949

Fine southern shower, poorly seen from the UK. Broad maximum and multiple radiant. Telescopic peak λ☉=042°.

α-Scorpiids 038052

Apr. 28May 12

Apr. 20- May 19

5 16:31 (248)16:04 (241)

–24–24

+0.50 –0.19 1.5 2.01.6

Apr. 28May 12

21 6

21.4 2.5 22 00 02

07 14 12

18.1 5.8 200003

307757

Part of the Scorpiid-Sagittarius complex. Several weak radiants. April-July.

Ophiuchids 079 089

Jun. 10Jun. 20

May 19- Jul.

5 17:56 (269)17:20 (260)

–23–20

– 23.5

Jun. 10Jun. 20

6 16

22.5 1.5 22 00 02

151810

17.9 6.1 210003

547442

Weak activity from several radiants. Best for southern observers. Rather unfavourable.

α-Cygnids 118 148

Jul. 20Aug. 21

Jul.-Aug. 5 21:00 (315) +48 ? 1.1 23.0

Jul. 20Aug. 21

16 19

21.8 2.3 220002

628079

18.1 6.1 230102

030706

Weak, apparently stationary radiant producing steady activity throughout northern summer.

Capricornids 106 113 123

Jul. 7Jul. 15Jul. 25

Jul.-Aug. 5 20:44 (311) –15 –

1.6 1.20.5

Jul. 7Jul. 15Jul. 25

3 11 21

22.2 2.1 220002

112122

18.1 6.1 210003

546406

Bright yellow-blue meteors. May have three maxima and multiple radiant.

δ-Aquarids 126 134

Jul. 28Aug. 6

Jul.15-Aug.20

2010

22:36 (339)23:04 (346)

–17+02

+0.80+1.00

+0.18+0.20

1.0 2.22.1

Jul. 28Aug. 6

24 4

21.6 2.6 230103

091920

18.2 6.0 230205

447249

Fine southern shower with double radiant. S. component is the richer. Meteors tend to be faint. Favourable.

Piscis Australids

128 Jul. 31 Jul. 15- Aug. 20

5 22:40 (340) –30 ? 2.1 Jul. 31 27 21.5 2.7 00 01 02

030708

18.3 6.0 230205

518553

Southern shower in need of observation. Favourable.

α-Capricornids 130 Aug. 2-3 Jul. 15-Aug. 20

5 20:36 (309) –10 +0.90 +0.30 –

23.8 Aug. 2 0 21.4 2.8 220002

232822

18.3 5.9 230205

436541

Maxima at λ☉ =123°, 129°, 137°. Long, slow fireballs are often seen. Favourable.

ι-Aquarids 134 Aug. 6 Jul.-Aug. 8 22:10 (333)22:04 (331)

–15–06

+1.07+1.03

+0.18+0.13

1.0? 1.21.1

Aug. 6 4 21.2 2.9 220002

122122

18.3 5.9 220104

386852

Rich in faint meteors. Double radiant.Favourable.

Perseids 140 Aug. 12d 12h Jul. 23- Aug. 20

80+ 03:13 (048) +58 +1.38 +0.18 0.5 5.8 Aug. 12 10 21.0 3.2 210003

274466

– – – – Rich shower of fast meteors. High proportion of bright events leaving persistent trains. Quite favourable.

Piscids 166 178 200

Sep. 8Sep. 20Oct. 13

Sep.-Oct. 105?

00:36 (009)00:24 (006)01:44 (026)

+0700

+14

? 1.30.30.1

Sep. 8Sep. 20Oct. 13

82013

19.7 4.1 21 00 03

21 4241

18.7 5.2 21 16 Another multiple-radiant ecliptic complex with low rates.

Orionids 209 Oct. 21-24 Oct. 16-30 25 06 24 (096) +16 +0.70 +0.11 1.0 4.5 Oct. 22 21 18.1 5.4 00 02 04

264353

19.3 4.2 000204

092940

Fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Flat maximum, with several sub-peaks. Good in 2006. Quite favourable.

Taurids (S) 223 (N) 230

Nov. 5Nov. 12

Oct. 20- Nov. 30

10 03:33 (056)03:54 (059)

+13+22

+0.73+0.80

+0.18+0.16

? 0.60.6

Nov. 5Nov. 12

6 13

17.7 5.7 210003

335142

19.5 3.9 210003

193630

Slow meteors. Double radiant. Broad peak λ☉ =220°–230°. Sometimes more bright events, as in 2005.

Leonids 235 Nov. 17d 04h Nov. 15-20 20? 10:16 (154) +22 +0.60 –0.29 0.5? 6.5 Nov. 17 17 17.4 6.1 010305

234156

19.8 3.7 020304

051524

Very fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Enhanced activity unlikely until the late 2020s, but observations still important. Unfavourable.

Puppids-Velids 257 274

Dec. 8Dec. 25

Nov. 27-Jan. 15 09:00 (135)09:20 (140)

–48–65

? 6.4 Dec. 8Dec. 25

9 26

– – – – 20.2 3.5 230103

133150

Two of several radiants in Puppis, Vela and Carina from November to January.

Geminids 262 Dec. 13d 20h Dec. 8-17 100+ 07:33 (113) +32 +1.02 –0.15 1.5 1.9 Dec. 13 14 17.2 6.6 21 00 03

346167

20.2 3.6 230103

122231

Richest of the annual showers, with slow meteors and a good proportion of bright events. Unfavourable.

Ursids 271 Dec. 22-23 Dec. 17-25 10? 14:28 (217) +78 +0.88 –0.45 1.0? 8.4 Dec. 22 23 17.3 6.7 220206

414961

– – – – Under-observed shower which has produced outbursts in 1945, 1982 and 1986. Favourable.

Page 101: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Meteor Diary 99

METEORS METEORS

EpochRadiant Position Latitude 52°N Latitude 35°S

Notes

Maximum Daily Motion Twilight Radiant Twilight Radiant

Showerλ☉

(2000.0) Maximum Normal Limits ZHR

at Max.R.A. Dec. R.A. Dec. Telescopic

ActivityLocal Time of Transit Date

Age of Moon Ends Begins UT Alt. Ends Begins UT Alt.

° hh:mm (°) ° ° ° h d h h h ° h h h °Quadrantids 283.2 Jan. 4d 09h Jan. 1-6 80? 15:20 (230) +50 +0.4 –0.2 1.5 8.5 Jan. 4 24 17.4 6.7 00

03 06

214046

– – – – Blue and yellow meteors. Diffuse radiant except at peak. Strong in 1992. Quite favourable.

Virginids 022 Apr. 11-12 Mar.-Apr.Apr. 6-17

55

14:04 (211)13:36 (204)

–09–11

? 0.7 0.3

Apr. 11 4 20.2 3.8 220104

202916

18.6 5.4 200004

216238

The two most prominent of several radiants in Virgo, active March-April. Slow, long paths.

Lyrids 032 Apr. 21d 22h Apr. 18-25 10 18:08 (272) +33 +1.10 0.0 –

4.2 Apr. 21 14 20.6 3.4 210003

154166

18.4 5.6 010305

092122

Normally rather moderate activity, but fine displays in 1803, 1922, 1982. Unfavourable.

η Aquarids 045 May 5-6 Apr. 24- May 20

40 22:30 (338) –01 +0.70 +0.3 –

7.6 May 5 28 21.1 2.8 0203

0312

18.2 5.7 020406

052949

Fine southern shower, poorly seen from the UK. Broad maximum and multiple radiant. Telescopic peak λ☉=042°.

α-Scorpiids 038052

Apr. 28May 12

Apr. 20- May 19

5 16:31 (248)16:04 (241)

–24–24

+0.50 –0.19 1.5 2.01.6

Apr. 28May 12

21 6

21.4 2.5 22 00 02

07 14 12

18.1 5.8 200003

307757

Part of the Scorpiid-Sagittarius complex. Several weak radiants. April-July.

Ophiuchids 079 089

Jun. 10Jun. 20

May 19- Jul.

5 17:56 (269)17:20 (260)

–23–20

– 23.5

Jun. 10Jun. 20

6 16

22.5 1.5 22 00 02

151810

17.9 6.1 210003

547442

Weak activity from several radiants. Best for southern observers. Rather unfavourable.

α-Cygnids 118 148

Jul. 20Aug. 21

Jul.-Aug. 5 21:00 (315) +48 ? 1.1 23.0

Jul. 20Aug. 21

16 19

21.8 2.3 220002

628079

18.1 6.1 230102

030706

Weak, apparently stationary radiant producing steady activity throughout northern summer.

Capricornids 106 113 123

Jul. 7Jul. 15Jul. 25

Jul.-Aug. 5 20:44 (311) –15 –

1.6 1.20.5

Jul. 7Jul. 15Jul. 25

3 11 21

22.2 2.1 220002

112122

18.1 6.1 210003

546406

Bright yellow-blue meteors. May have three maxima and multiple radiant.

δ-Aquarids 126 134

Jul. 28Aug. 6

Jul.15-Aug.20

2010

22:36 (339)23:04 (346)

–17+02

+0.80+1.00

+0.18+0.20

1.0 2.22.1

Jul. 28Aug. 6

24 4

21.6 2.6 230103

091920

18.2 6.0 230205

447249

Fine southern shower with double radiant. S. component is the richer. Meteors tend to be faint. Favourable.

Piscis Australids

128 Jul. 31 Jul. 15- Aug. 20

5 22:40 (340) –30 ? 2.1 Jul. 31 27 21.5 2.7 00 01 02

030708

18.3 6.0 230205

518553

Southern shower in need of observation. Favourable.

α-Capricornids 130 Aug. 2-3 Jul. 15-Aug. 20

5 20:36 (309) –10 +0.90 +0.30 –

23.8 Aug. 2 0 21.4 2.8 220002

232822

18.3 5.9 230205

436541

Maxima at λ☉ =123°, 129°, 137°. Long, slow fireballs are often seen. Favourable.

ι-Aquarids 134 Aug. 6 Jul.-Aug. 8 22:10 (333)22:04 (331)

–15–06

+1.07+1.03

+0.18+0.13

1.0? 1.21.1

Aug. 6 4 21.2 2.9 220002

122122

18.3 5.9 220104

386852

Rich in faint meteors. Double radiant.Favourable.

Perseids 140 Aug. 12d 12h Jul. 23- Aug. 20

80+ 03:13 (048) +58 +1.38 +0.18 0.5 5.8 Aug. 12 10 21.0 3.2 210003

274466

– – – – Rich shower of fast meteors. High proportion of bright events leaving persistent trains. Quite favourable.

Piscids 166 178 200

Sep. 8Sep. 20Oct. 13

Sep.-Oct. 105?

00:36 (009)00:24 (006)01:44 (026)

+0700

+14

? 1.30.30.1

Sep. 8Sep. 20Oct. 13

82013

19.7 4.1 21 00 03

21 4241

18.7 5.2 21 16 Another multiple-radiant ecliptic complex with low rates.

Orionids 209 Oct. 21-24 Oct. 16-30 25 06 24 (096) +16 +0.70 +0.11 1.0 4.5 Oct. 22 21 18.1 5.4 00 02 04

264353

19.3 4.2 000204

092940

Fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Flat maximum, with several sub-peaks. Good in 2006. Quite favourable.

Taurids (S) 223 (N) 230

Nov. 5Nov. 12

Oct. 20- Nov. 30

10 03:33 (056)03:54 (059)

+13+22

+0.73+0.80

+0.18+0.16

? 0.60.6

Nov. 5Nov. 12

6 13

17.7 5.7 210003

335142

19.5 3.9 210003

193630

Slow meteors. Double radiant. Broad peak λ☉ =220°–230°. Sometimes more bright events, as in 2005.

Leonids 235 Nov. 17d 04h Nov. 15-20 20? 10:16 (154) +22 +0.60 –0.29 0.5? 6.5 Nov. 17 17 17.4 6.1 010305

234156

19.8 3.7 020304

051524

Very fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Enhanced activity unlikely until the late 2020s, but observations still important. Unfavourable.

Puppids-Velids 257 274

Dec. 8Dec. 25

Nov. 27-Jan. 15 09:00 (135)09:20 (140)

–48–65

? 6.4 Dec. 8Dec. 25

9 26

– – – – 20.2 3.5 230103

133150

Two of several radiants in Puppis, Vela and Carina from November to January.

Geminids 262 Dec. 13d 20h Dec. 8-17 100+ 07:33 (113) +32 +1.02 –0.15 1.5 1.9 Dec. 13 14 17.2 6.6 21 00 03

346167

20.2 3.6 230103

122231

Richest of the annual showers, with slow meteors and a good proportion of bright events. Unfavourable.

Ursids 271 Dec. 22-23 Dec. 17-25 10? 14:28 (217) +78 +0.88 –0.45 1.0? 8.4 Dec. 22 23 17.3 6.7 220206

414961

– – – – Under-observed shower which has produced outbursts in 1945, 1982 and 1986. Favourable.

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100 Variable Stars BAA Handbook 2016

VARIABLE STARSHeliocentric Times of Primary Minima

RZ Cassiopeiae: Magnitude 6.2 to 7.7, Duration 4.8 hours h h h h h hJan. 1 15.7 Feb. 1 17.5 Mar. 1 10.0 Apr. 1 11.8 May 1 9.0 Jun. 1 10.8 2 20.4* 2 22.2* 2 14.7 2 16.5 2 13.7 2 15.5 4 1.1* 4 2.9* 3 19.4 3 21.2* 3 18.4 3 20.2 5 5.8* 5 7.6 5 0.1* 5 1.9* 4 23.1* 5 0.9 6 10.5 6 12.3 6 4.7* 6 6.6 6 3.7 6 5.6 7 15.1 7 17.0 7 9.4 7 11.3 7 8.4 7 10.3 8 19.8* 8 21.7* 8 14.1 8 16.0 8 13.1 8 14.9 10 0.5* 10 2.3* 9 18.8 9 20.6 9 17.8 9 19.6 11 5.2* 11 7.0 10 23.5* 11 1.3* 10 22.5* 11 0.3 12 9.9 12 11.7 12 4.2* 12 6.0 12 3.2 12 5.0 13 14.6 13 16.4 13 8.9 13 10.7 13 7.9 13 9.7 14 19.3* 14 21.1* 14 13.6 14 15.4 14 12.5 14 14.4 15 23.9* 16 1.8* 15 18.2 15 20.1 15 17.2 15 19.1 17 4.6* 17 6.5 16 22.9* 17 0.8* 16 21.9 16 23.8 18 9.3 18 11.1 18 3.6* 18 5.4 18 2.6* 18 4.4 19 14.0 19 15.8 19 8.3 19 10.1 19 7.3 19 9.1 20 18.7 20 20.5* 20 13.0 20 14.8 20 12.0 20 13.8 21 23.4* 22 1.2* 21 17.7 21 19.5 21 16.7 21 18.5 23 4.1* 23 5.9 22 22.4* 23 0.2* 22 21.3 22 23.2 24 8.7 24 10.6 24 3.0* 24 4.9 24 2.0 24 3.9 25 13.4 25 15.3 25 7.7 25 9.6 25 6.7 25 8.6 26 18.1 26 19.9* 26 12.4 26 14.3 26 11.4 26 13.2 27 22.8* 28 0.6* 27 17.1 27 18.9 27 16.1 27 17.9 29 3.5* 29 5.3* 28 21.8* 28 23.6* 28 20.8 28 22.6 30 8.2 30 2.5* 30 4.3 30 1.5 30 3.3 31 12.9 31 7.2 31 6.1

Jul. 1 8.0 Aug. 1 9.8 Sep. 1 11.7 Oct. 1 8.8 Nov. 1 10.7 Dec. 1 7.8 2 12.7 2 14.5 2 16.3 2 13.5 2 15.3 2 12.5 3 17.4 3 19.2 3 21.0 3 18.2 3 20.0* 3 17.2 4 22.0 4 23.9* 5 1.7* 4 22.9* 5 0.7* 4 21.9* 6 2.7 6 4.6 6 6.4 6 3.6* 6 5.4* 6 2.5* 7 7.4 7 9.3 7 11.1 7 8.2 7 10.1 7 7.2 8 12.1 8 13.9 8 15.8 8 12.9 8 14.8 8 11.9 9 16.8 9 18.6 9 20.5 9 17.6 9 19.4* 9 16.6 10 21.5 10 23.3* 11 1.1* 10 22.3* 11 0.1* 10 21.3* 12 2.2 12 4.0 12 5.8 12 3.0* 12 4.8* 12 2.0* 13 6.8 13 8.7 13 10.5 13 7.7 13 9.5 13 6.7 14 11.5 14 13.4 14 15.2 14 12.4 14 14.2 14 11.3 15 16.2 15 18.1 15 19.9 15 17.0 15 18.9 15 16.0 16 20.9 16 22.7* 17 0.6* 16 21.7* 16 23.6* 16 20.7* 18 1.6 18 3.4 18 5.3 18 2.4* 18 4.3* 18 1.4* 19 6.3 19 8.1 19 10.0 19 7.1 19 8.9 19 6.1* 20 11.0 20 12.8 20 14.6 20 11.8 20 13.6 20 10.8 21 15.6 21 17.5 21 19.3 21 16.5 21 18.3 21 15.5 22 20.3 22 22.2* 23 0.0* 22 21.2* 22 23.0* 22 20.2* 24 1.0 24 2.9 24 4.7 24 1.8* 24 3.7* 24 0.8* 25 5.7 25 7.5 25 9.4 25 6.5 25 8.4 25 5.5* 26 10.4 26 12.2 26 14.1 26 11.2 26 13.1 26 10.2 27 15.1 27 16.9 27 18.8 27 15.9 27 17.7 27 14.9 28 19.8 28 21.6 28 23.4* 28 20.6* 28 22.4* 28 19.6* 30 0.5 30 2.3* 30 4.1 30 1.3* 30 3.1* 30 0.3* 31 5.1 31 7.0 31 6.0 31 5.0* Minima marked with an asterisk (*) are favourable from the British Isles, taking into account the altitude of the variable and the distance of the Sun below the horizon (based on longitude 0° and latitude 52° N).

Heliocentric times must be UTC corrected for the light–time to the Sun. To calculate this, use the program on the Computing Section website. http://britastro.org/computing/applets_dt.html

Page 103: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Variable Stars 101

b Persei (Algol): Magnitude 2.1 to 3.4, Duration 9.6 hours

h h h h h h

Jan. 1 11.7 Feb. 2 0.7* Mar. 1 16.9 Apr. 2 5.8 May 3 18.8 Jun. 1 11.0 4 8.5 4 21.5* 4 13.7 5 2.6 6 15.6 4 7.8 7 5.3* 7 18.3 7 10.5 7 23.5 9 12.4 7 4.6 10 2.2* 10 15.1 10 7.3 10 20.3 12 9.3 10 1.4 12 23.0* 13 12.0 13 4.1 13 17.1 15 6.1 12 22.2 15 19.8* 16 8.8 16 0.9* 16 13.9 18 2.9 15 19.0 18 16.6 19 5.6 18 21.7* 19 10.7 20 23.7 18 15.9 21 13.4 22 2.4* 21 18.6 22 7.5 23 20.5 21 12.7 24 10.2 24 23.2* 24 15.4 25 4.4 26 17.3 24 9.5 27 7.1 27 20.0* 27 12.2 28 1.2 29 14.2 27 6.3 30 3.9* 30 9.0 30 22.0 30 3.1 Jul. 2 23.9 Aug. 3 12.9 Sep. 1 5.1 Oct. 2 18.1 Nov. 3 7.0 Dec. 1 23.2* 5 20.8 6 9.7 4 1.9* 5 14.9 6 3.9* 4 20.0 8 17.6 9 6.6 6 22.7* 8 11.7 9 0.7* 7 16.8 11 14.4 12 3.4* 9 19.5 11 8.5 11 21.5* 10 13.6 14 11.2 15 0.2* 12 16.3 14 5.3 14 18.3 13 10.5 17 8.0 17 21.0 15 13.2 17 2.1* 17 15.1 16 7.3 20 4.8 20 17.8 18 10.0 19 23.0* 20 11.9 19 4.1* 23 1.7 23 14.6 21 6.8 22 19.8 23 8.8 22 0.9* 25 22.5 26 11.5 24 3.6 25 16.6 26 5.6 24 21.7* 28 19.3 29 8.3 27 0.4* 28 13.4 29 2.4* 27 18.5 31 16.1 29 21.2* 31 10.2 30 15.4

l Tauri: Magnitude 3.4 to 3.9, Duration 14.2 hours

h h h h h h

Jan. 4 5.1 Feb. 4 20.1 Mar. 3 12.2 Apr. 4 3.2 May 1 19.3 Jun. 2 10.2 8 4.0* 8 19.0 7 11.1 8 2.0 5 18.1 6 9.1 12 2.9* 12 17.8 11 9.9 12 0.9 9 17.0 10 8.0 16 1.8* 16 16.7 15 8.8 15 23.8 13 15.9 14 6.8 20 0.6* 20 15.6 19 7.7 19 22.6 17 14.7 18 5.7 23 23.5* 24 14.5 23 6.6 23 21.5 21 13.6 22 4.6 27 22.4* 28 13.3 27 5.4 27 20.4 25 12.5 26 3.4 31 21.1* 31 4.3 29 11.3 30 2.3 Jul. 4 1.2 Aug. 4 16.1 Sep. 1 8.2 Oct. 2 23.2* Nov. 3 14.2 Dec. 1 6.3 8 0.1 8 15.0 5 7.1 6 22.1* 7 13.0 5 5.1* 11 22.9 12 13.9 9 6.0 10 20.9 11 11.9 9 4.0* 15 21.8 16 12.8 13 4.9 14 19.8 15 10.8 13 2.9* 19 20.7 20 11.6 17 3.7 18 18.7 19 9.6 17 1.7* 23 19.6 24 10.5 21 2.6 22 17.6 23 8.5 21 0.6* 27 18.4 28 9.4 25 1.5 26 16.4 27 7.4 24 23.5* 31 17.3 29 0.3 30 15.3 28 22.4*

VARIABLE STARS

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102 Variable Stars BAA Handbook 2016

MIRA STARSApproximate dates of maxima and minima for Mira stars on the programme of the BAA Variable Star Sec-tion, together with (usually) the mean visual range, period, and fraction of the period taken in rising from minimum to maximum for each star. The predictions, which are subject to inevitable uncertainty, use data from the American Association of Variable Star Observers.

Star Range Period Max–Min Date of Max. Date of Min. Max Min Period d

R And 6.9 14.3 409 0.38 Apr./May -W And 7.4 13.7 396 0.42 Jan. Aug./Sep.RW And 8.7 14.8 430 0.36 Sep./Oct. Apr./MayR Aqr 6.5 10.3 387 0.42 May/Jun. -R Aql 6.1 11.5 284 0.42 Jun. Feb.UV Aur* 7.4 10.6 394 0.50 Aug. Jan./Feb.V Cam 9.9 15.4 522 0.31 Feb./Mar. -X Cam 8.1 12.6 144 0.49 Feb./Mar., May, Sep./Oct. Jul./Aug.,Dec. SU Cnc* 10.5 [15.4 187 0.43 Jan., Jul. Apr./May, Oct./Nov.U CVn 9.9 14.6 346 0.37 Sep. MayRT CVn* 9.9 [15.0 254 0.45 Apr./May, 2015 Dec./2016 Jan., Dec./2017 Jan. Sep.S Cas 9.7 14.8 612 0.43 - Oct.T Cas 7.9 11.9 445 0.56 Jan./Feb. Aug.ο Cet 3.4 9.3 332 0.38 Mar./Apr. Oct./Nov.R Com 8.5 14.2 363 0.38 Jul./Aug. Mar.S CrB 7.3 12.9 360 0.35 Aug./Sep. Apr./MayV CrB 7.5 11.0 358 0.41 Sep./Oct. MayW CrB 8.5 13.5 238 0.45 Jul. Mar./Apr., Nov.R Cyg 7.5 13.9 426 0.35 Jan. Oct./Nov.S Cyg 10.3 16.0 323 0.50 Jan., Nov./Dec. Jun.V Cyg 9.1 12.8 421 0.46 2015 Dec./2016 Jan. Aug.χ Cyg 5.2 13.4 408 0.41 Oct. Apr./MayT Dra 9.6 12.3 422 0.44 Apr. Nov./Dec.RU Her 8.0 13.7 485 0.43 Jun. -SS Her 9.2 12.4 107 0.48 Jan, Apr./May, Feb./Mar., Aug., Nov./Dec. Jun., Sep./Oct.R Hya 4.5 9.5 389 0.49 Dec./2017 Jan. Jun.SU Lac* 10.3 [15.0 302 0.40 Feb., Dec. Aug.RS Leo* 9.7 [15.5 208 0.31 Mar./Apr., Oct. Jan., Aug.W Lyn 9.9 ≈15 295 0.40 Sep. May/Jun.X Lyn 10.2 ≈15 321 0.40 Aug. Apr.X Oph 6.8 8.8 329 0.53 May Oct.U Ori 6.3 12.0 368 0.38 Mar./Apr. Nov.R Ser 6.9 13.4 356 0.41 Jul. Feb.T UMa 7.7 12.9 257 0.41 Jan., Sep./Oct. Jun.

* Extreme range is given [ Fainter than

≈ Approximately

Page 105: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Variable Stars 103

VARIABLE STAR OF THE YEAR

Variable Star of the Year – Z Andromedæ

In 1901 Scottish astronomer and curator of astronomical photographs at Harvard University Williamena Fleming, came across an unusual spectrum of a star during an investigation into observatory spectrum plates. She noted that the spectrum resembled that of the recently discovered Nova Persei 1901 (GK Per) and Nova Oph 1898 (RS Oph), and catalogued it as a ‘star with peculiar spectrum’. Further investigations were carried out at Harvard, most notably by Annie Cannon, but it was to be another 30 years before the star in question – Z Andromedæ – was grouped with other stars of similar peculiar spectra (AX Per, CI Cyg and RW Hya) by Paul Merrill and Milton Humason into a new classification of variable star – termed Symbiotic Stars by Merrill – in which Z And was to be the prototype.

The variations observed in Z And can be quite dramatic. At intervals of 10-20 years, the star will undergo a bright outburst by as much as 3 magnitudes, followed by a series of fainter outbursts decreasing in amplitude before the system returns to its quiescent state. Photographic plate searches have allowed the visual observation data to be extended back to the beginning of the 20th century, and from these combined data we can see from observations collected by the AAVSO that there have been five major outbursts brighter than magnitude 8 since that time, with the brightest occurring in 1939 when the magnitude reached 7.2. BAA data began in 1985, but as the accompanying light curve shows, Z And has been in almost a constant active state since that time.

A century of observations have revealed that all ‘ZAND’ stars are binary systems consisting of a hot compact star which is usually a white dwarf, and a cool red giant star orbiting the hotter component, with both stars lying within a common envelope of nebulosity. Usually in eruptive binary systems, accretion takes place directly between the hot and cool stars resulting in an accretion disc forming around the white dwarf which powers any outburst activity. In the Z And system it would appear that the white dwarf is accreting material from the red giant via its stellar wind, with the presence of an accretion disk yet to be confirmed! If this is the case then the observed outbursts are due solely to a build-up of material on the white dwarf itself. The spectrum during outburst is dominated by the hot primary, where blue-shifted P Cygni absorption lines reveal the presence of an expanding gase-ous shell, rather like a nova (hence Fleming’s attraction to the spectrum in 1901). As the shell fades and the star returns to quiescence, TiO (titanium oxide) bands emerge as light from the red-giant star dominates, and small amplitude semi-regular variations can be observed. It was this combination spectrum that led Merrill to suggest the term ‘Symbiotic’.

The field in which Z And lies is easily located being some 40 arc minutes SE of the open cluster NGC 7686 (mag. 5.6) and 2d 40m North of the 4th magnitude star lambda And. The catalogued range is 7.7-11.3, so the whole cycle can be observed with a small telescope or medium-sized binoculars. As the star is of an eruptive nature, observations should be carried out at every opportunity. Z And is circumpolar from mainland Britain, although it is very difficult to observe during the Spring months.

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104 Variable Stars BAA Handbook 2016

Z A

ND

RO

ME

LIG

HT

CU

RV

E

Page 107: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

BAA Handbook 2016 Variable Stars 105

Z ANDROMEDÆ FINDER CHART

Page 108: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

106 Double Stars BAA Handbook 2016

EPHEMERIDES OF VISUAL BINARY STARSInspection of the two–point ephemeris will indicate whether a pair is closing, relatively static, or opening up, and whether motion is direct or retrograde. A fast–mover of long period is probably near periastron, while a slow–mover of short period is likely to be near apastron. The orbital ele-ments employed for the computation are those published in the Sixth Catalog of Orbits of Visual Binary Stars, by William I. Hartkopf and Brian D. Mason, U.S. Naval Observatory:

http://ad.usno.navy.mil/wds/orb6.html

2000.0 2016.0 2017.0Star Name ADS RA Dec. Mags. Period PA Dist. PA Dist. h m ° ′ y ° ″ ° ″

85 Peg 17175 0 02.2 +27 05 5.8 8.9 26 44.3 0.36 78.9 0.48OΣ 4 221 0 16.7 +36 29 7.9 9.9 109 25.1 0.16 11.6 0.15λ Cas 434 0 31.8 +54 31 5.3 5.6 246 226.2 0.17 230.8 0.16β 395 520 0 37.3 –24 46 6.2 6.6 25 113.1 0.75 115.5 0.69η Cas 671 0 49.1 +57 49 3.5 7.4 480 324.2 13.38 324.8 13.40 36 And 755 0 55.0 +23 38 6.1 6.5 168 330.3 1.13 331.4 1.14Howe 4 1223 1 33.7 –12 13 9.2 9.3 146 331.0 0.93 330.8 0.93Dunlop 5 .. 1 39.8 –56 12 5.8 5.9 484 187.0 11.70 186.8 11.73Σ 186 1538 1 55.9 +1 51 6.8 6.8 166 71.0 0.73 71.9 0.71α Psc 1615 2 02.0 +2 46 4.1 5.2 933 260.2 1.75 259.5 1.75 10 Ari 1631 2 03.7 +25 56 5.8 7.9 325 347.1 1.51 347.6 1.52Σ 228 1709 2 14.0 +47 29 6.6 7.2 144 302.0 0.68 304.0 0.65h 3494 .. 2 19.8 –35 27 9.0 9.1 475 242.3 2.28 241.9 2.30ι Cas AB 1860 2 29.1 +67 24 4.6 6.9 620 228.0 2.62 227.8 2.62Σ 305 2122 2 47.5 +19 22 7.5 8.2 531 305.9 3.73 307.1 3.60 α For 2402 3 12.1 –28 59 4.0 7.2 269 300.4 5.38 300.5 5.40Σ 367 2416 3 14.0 +0 44 8.1 8.2 753 127.4 1.16 130.3 1.257 Tau 2616 3 34.4 +24 28 6.6 6.9 522 351.4 0.75 351.1 0.76OΣ 65 2799 3 50.3 +25 35 5.7 6.5 61 201.4 0.45 201.7 0.4840 Eri BC 3093 4 15.3 –7 39 9.5 11.2v 252 332.4 9.04 332.2 9.01 OΣ 77 AB 3082 4 15.9 +31 42 8.0 8.2 188 301.4 0.51 302.6 0.50Hu 445 3614 5 01.7 +20 50 8.4 9.3 166 148.5 0.36 150.6 0.3514 Ori 3711 5 07.9 +8 30 5.8 6.7 197 289.3 0.94 287.7 0.96η Gem 4841 6 14.9 +22 30 3.5v 6.2 474 252.5 1.61 252.3 1.61OΣ 149 5234 6 36.4 +27 17 7.1 9.0 119 281.8 0.74 280.7 0.74 12 Lyn AB 5400 6 46.2 +59 27 5.4 6.0 908 66.6 1.90 66.2 1.901 Lyn 5514 6 53.1 +59 27 6.0 6.5 316 350.5 0.28 352.5 0.29α Gem 6175 7 34.6 +31 53 1.9 3.0 460 54.4 5.12 53.7 5.189 Pup 6420 7 51.8 –13 54 5.6 6.5 23 296.3 0.54 298.4 0.52ζ Cnc AB 6650 8 12.2 +17 39 5.3 6.2 60 16.8 1.12 13.5 1.13 ζ Cnc AB–C 6650 8 12.2 +17 39 5.1 6.2 1115 65.8 5.93 65.4 5.93β 208 6914 8 39.1 –22 40 5.4 6.8 123 52.1 0.62 55.0 0.57I 314 .. 8 39.4 –36 36 6.4 7.9 66 241.8 0.83 241.6 0.85δ Vel .. 8 44.7 –54 43 2.1 5.1 147 224.5 0.48 215.5 0.54ε Hya AB–C 6993 8 46.8 +6 25 3.5 6.7 589 307.7 2.82 308.4 2.82 Σ 1338 7307 9 21.0 +38 11 6.7 7.1 303 314.8 1.00 316.6 1.00ω Leo 7390 9 28.5 +9 03 5.7 7.3 118 110.5 0.83 111.6 0.85γ Sex 7555 9 52.5 –8 06 5.4 6.4 78 42.1 0.53 40.7 0.52γ Leo 7724 10 20.0 +19 50 2.4 3.6 510 126.3 4.63 126.4 4.63β 411 7846 10 36.1 –26 41 6.7 7.8 158 304.5 1.34 304.1 1.34

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BAA Handbook 2016 Double Stars 107

ξ UMa AB 8119 11 18.2 +31 32 4.3 4.8 60 171.2 1.85 165.9 1.92ι Leo 8148 11 23.9 +10 32 4.1 6.7 186 95.1 2.13 94.3 2.15BrsO 5 .. 11 24.7 –61 39 7.7 8.8 399 248.3 7.54 248.5 7.58OΣ 235 8197 11 32.3 +61 05 5.7 7.6 73 37.4 0.90 39.7 0.92Σ 1639 8539 12 24.4 +25 35 6.7 7.8 575 323.0 1.83 322.9 1.84 β 28 8573 12 30.1 –13 24 6.5 9.6 151 345.5 2.20 346.1 2.20γ Cen .. 12 41.5 –48 58 2.8 2.9 83 108.8 0.11 59.5 0.17γ Vir 8630 12 41.7 –1 27 3.5 3.5 169 3.9 2.41 2.0 2.5535 Com 8695 12 53.3 +21 15 5.2 7.1 359 201.8 1.03 202.9 1.02I 83 .. 12 56.7 –47 41 7.4 7.7 173 235.0 0.86 236.2 0.86 78 UMa 8739 13 00.7 +56 22 5.0 7.9 105 123.4 0.78 128.9 0.73A1609 AB 8901 13 25.8 +44 30 8.8 9.5 44 57.6 0.36 62.8 0.3425 CVn 8974 13 37.5 +36 18 5.0 7.0 228 94.8 1.69 94.5 1.68α Cen .. 14 39.6 –60 50 0.1 1.2 80 301.9 4.03 315.3 4.16ζ Boo 9343 14 41.1 +13 44 4.5 4.6 125 289.2 0.40 287.6 0.36 φ309 .. 14 46.2 –21 11 7.3 7.3 13 149.3 0.27 158.6 0.25ξ Boo 9413 14 51.4 +19 06 4.8v 7.0 152 301.6 5.56 300.4 5.47OΣ 288 9425 14 53.4 +15 42 6.9 7.6 313 158.1 1.00 157.5 0.99H 4707 .. 14 54.2 –66 25 7.5 8.1 346 268.6 1.20 267.9 1.2244 Boo 9494 15 03.8 +47 39 5.2 6.1v 210 69.9 0.84 73.8 0.68 η CrB 9617 15 23.2 +30 17 5.6 6.0 42 214.3 0.60 224.5 0.53γ Lup .. 15 35.1 –41 10 3.0 4.4 190 276.4 0.83 276.3 0.83π2 UMi 9769 15 39.6 +79 59 7.3 8.2 172 21.7 0.61 21.4 0.61ξ Sco AB 9909 16 04.4 –11 22 4.9 5.2 46 5.5 1.09 7.0 1.10σ CrB AB 9979 16 14.7 +33 52 5.6 6.5 726 238.3 7.20 238.4 7.22 λ Oph 10087 16 30.9 +1 59 4.2 5.2 129 41.9 1.42 42.7 1.42ζ Her 10157 16 41.3 +31 36 3.0 5.4 34 130.8 1.25 124.0 1.2820 Dra 10279 16 56.4 +65 02 7.1 7.3 422 66.6 1.14 66.5 1.14MlbO 4 AB .. 17 19.0 –34 59 6.4 7.4 42 133.1 0.98 114.8 0.77BrsO 13 .. 17 19.1 –46 38 5.6 8.9 953 257.8 10.48 258.1 10.55 26 Dra 10660 17 35.0 +61 53 5.3 8.5 76 278.2 0.40 257.4 0.33τ Oph 11005 18 03.1 –8 11 5.3 5.9 257 287.4 1.54 287.9 1.5270 Oph 11046 18 05.5 +2 30 4.2 6.2 88 125.2 6.36 124.3 6.43h 5014 .. 18 06.8 –43 25 5.6 5.7 450 359.5 1.73 359.1 1.74OΣ 358 11483 18 35.9 +16 59 6.9 7.1 380 145.9 1.50 145.3 1.50 ε1 Lyr AB 11635 18 44.3 +39 40 5.0 6.1 1804 345.6 2.26 345.2 2.24ε2 Lyr CD 11635 18 44.4 +39 37 5.2 5.4 724 75.6 2.39 75.2 2.39γ CrA .. 19 06.4 –37 04 4.5 6.4 122 344.9 1.42 340.6 1.44δ Cyg 12880 19 45.0 +45 08 2.9 6.3 918 216.9 2.74 216.5 2.74λ Cyg 14296 20 47.4 +36 29 4.7 6.3 391 359.1 0.92 358.7 0.92 4 Aqr 14360 20 51.4 –5 38 6.4 7.4 200 30.1 0.77 30.9 0.76ε Equ AB 14499 20 59.1 +4 18 6.0 6.3 101 281.2 0.19 279.5 0.12τ Cyg 14787 21 14.8 +38 03 3.8 6.6 50 201.0 0.93 196.4 0.96μ Cyg 15270 21 44.1 +28 45 4.8 6.2 789 322.1 1.54 323.1 1.5253 Aqr 15934 22 26.6 –16 45 6.3 6.4 3500 64.9 1.28 69.2 1.29 Kr 60 15972 22 28.0 +57 42 9.6 11.4v 45 281.0 1.42 261.6 1.49ζ Aqr AB 15971 22 28.8 –0 01 4.3 4.5 487 163.7 2.27 162.5 2.29π Cep 16538 23 07.9 +75 23 4.6 6.8 163 0.2 1.12 1.0 1.12β 80 16665 23 18.9 +5 24 8.4 9.4 97 245.8 0.72 247.9 0.7572 Peg 16836 23 34.0 +31 20 5.7 6.1 492 104.6 0.57 105.2 0.58

EPHEMERIDES OF VISUAL BINARY STARS 2000.0 2016.0 2017.0Star Name ADS RA Dec. Mags. Period PA Dist. PA Dist. h m ° ′ y ° ″ ° ″

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108 Bright Stars BAA Handbook 2016

BRIGHT STARSFOR EPOCH 2016.5

Name RA Dec. V Name RA Dec. V h m s º ' " h m s º ' "α And 0 09 14.6 +29 10 53 2.06 α UMa 11 04 44.0 +61 39 42 1.80β Cas* 0 10 04.1 +59 14 27 2.27 β Leo 11 49 54.0 +14 28 47 2.14α Cas 0 41 27.2 +56 37 39 2.23 α Cru† 12 27 31.7 –63 11 25 0.77β Cet 0 44 25.0 –17 53 47 2.04 γ Cru* 12 32 05.5 –57 12 19 1.63β And 1 10 39.7 +35 42 27 2.06 γ Cen† 12 42 26.1 –49 03 01 2.17 α Eri 1 38 19.6 –57 09 12 0.46 β Cru* 12 48 41.8 –59 46 43 1.25γ And 2 04 55.1 +42 24 29 2.10 ε UMa* 12 54 45.0 +55 52 14 1.77α Ari 2 08 06.4 +23 32 23 2.00 ζ UMa 13 24 35.2 +54 50 22 2.27α UMi* 2 52 14.5 +89 20 02 2.02 α Vir* 13 26 03.9 –11 14 49 0.98α Per* 3 09 14.9 +41 01 05 2.12 ε Cen 13 40 56.6 –53 32 59 2.30 α Per 3 25 30.6 +49 55 07 1.79 η UMa 13 48 11.4 +49 13 53 1.86η Tau 3 48 28.1 +24 09 18 2.87 β Cen* 14 05 00.1 –60 27 06 0.61α Tau 4 36 52.2 +16 32 28 0.85 θ Cen 14 07 39.5 –36 27 01 2.06β Ori 5 15 19.9 –08 11 01 0.12 α Boo 14 16 24.9 +19 05 50 –0.04α Aur* 5 17 54.7 +46 00 47 0.08 η Cen* 14 36 33.7 –42 13 46 2.31 γ Ori 5 26 01.0 +06 21 48 1.64 α Cen cg* 14 40 44.0 –60 54 10 –0.28β Tau 5 27 20.2 +28 37 12 1.65 α Lup* 14 43 02.1 –47 27 29 2.30δ Ori* 5 32 51.0 –00 17 17 2.23 ε Boo 14 45 42.5 +27 00 19 2.35ε Ori 5 37 03.1 –01 11 33 1.70 β UMi 14 50 40.4 +74 05 17 2.08ζ Ori 5 41 35.5 –01 56 06 1.74 α CrB* 15 35 23.2 +26 39 36 2.23 κ Ori 5 48 32.4 –09 39 54 2.06 δ Sco 16 01 18.7 –22 40 03 2.32α Ori* 5 56 03.9 +07 24 32 0.50 α Sco* 16 30 25.3 –26 28 02 0.96β Aur* 6 00 44.4 +44 56 51 1.90 α TrA 16 50 25.5 –69 03 20 1.92β CMa* 6 23 25.6 –17 57 55 1.98 ε Sco 16 51 14.1 –34 19 18 2.29α Car* 6 24 19.1 –52 42 19 –0.62 λ Sco* 17 34 43.8 –37 06 51 1.63 γ Gem 6 38 39.8 +16 23 01 1.93 α Oph 17 35 42.1 +12 32 57 2.08α CMa 6 45 52.8 –16 44 20 –1.46 θ Sco 17 38 30.3 –43 00 24 1.87ε CMa 6 59 16.5 –28 59 44 1.50 γ Dra 17 56 59.4 +51 29 15 2.23δ CMa 7 09 03.8 –26 25 13 1.84 ε Sgr 18 25 16.0 –34 22 31 1.85α Gem† 7 35 38.7 +31 51 01 1.58 α Lyr 18 37 29.9 +38 48 00 0.03 α CMi 7 40 10.0 +05 10 53 0.38 σ Sgr 18 56 17.2 –26 16 29 2.02β Gem 7 46 19.4 +27 59 06 1.14 β Cyg† 19 31 23.2 +27 59 43 3.08ζ Pup 8 04 09.9 –40 03 01 2.25 α Aql 19 51 35.3 +08 54 47 0.77γ Vel* 8 10 02.5 –47 23 09 1.78 γ Cyg 20 22 49.3 +40 18 37 2.20ε Car* 8 22 51.1 –59 33 47 1.86 α Pav 20 26 56.6 –56 40 51 1.94 δ Vel 8 45 09.6 –54 46 11 1.96 α Cyg 20 41 59.7 +45 20 24 1.25λ Vel* 9 08 36.2 –43 29 59 2.21 α Cep 21 18 58.3 +62 39 21 2.44β Car 9 13 22.5 –69 47 07 1.68 ε Peg* 21 44 59.8 +09 57 05 2.39ι Car* 9 17 31.9 –59 20 41 2.25 β Gru 22 09 15.9 –46 52 49 1.74α Hya 9 28 23.9 –08 43 51 1.98 α Gru* 22 43 38.7 –46 47 52 2.10 α Leo 10 09 14.9 +11 53 10 1.35 α PsA 22 58 33.5 –29 32 04 1.16γ Leo† 10 20 52.8 +19 45 27 2.01 β Peg* 23 04 34.6 +28 10 21 2.42β UMa 11 02 49.6 +56 17 37 2.37 α Peg 23 05 35.0 +15 17 39 2.49

* = Variable star † = Double star

Note: For double stars the co–ordinates refer to the brighter component but magnitude refers to the combined light.

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BAA Handbook 2016 Active Galaxies 109

ACTIVE GALAXIES

Object RA Dec. Const. Type V* U.2000 (2000.0) Chart No. h m °3C 66A 2 22 +43.0 And BL Lac 14.0 – 16.3 62NGC 1275 3 20 +41.5 Per Seyfert 13.2 – 13.7 633C 120 (BW Tau) 4 33 +05.4 Tau BL Lac 13.7 – 14.6 178S5 0716+71 7 22 +71.3 Cam BL Lac 12.3 – 15.3 21OJ+287 8 54 +20.1 Cnc BL Lac 12.4 – 16.0 142Markarian 421 11 04 +38.2 UMa BL Lac 12.3 – 14.2 106NGC 4151 12 10 +39.4 CVn Seyfert 11.0 – 12.4 74W Comae 12 21 +28.2 Com BL Lac 11.5 – 16.0 1483C 273 12 26 +02.3 Vir Quasar 12.3 – 13.3 2383C 279 12 56 –05.8 Vir Quasar 11.5 – 17.0 239BL Lacertae 22 02 +42.3 Lac BL Lac 12.5 – 15.5 87

*Approximate range

FINDER CHARTS FOR ACTIVE GALAXIES

Charts for all of the active galaxies listed above have been included in previous BAA Handbooks and are listed below. Object BAA VSS Chart Handbook Year 3C 66A 309.01 2010 NGC1275 296.01 2008 BW Tau 320.01 2011 S5 0716+71 310.01 2009 OJ+287 208.02 2004 Markarian 421 243.01 2001 NGC4151 297.01 2007 W Com 148.03 2002 3C 273 244.01 2003 3C 279 151.02 2006 BL Lac 242.01 2005 Direct links to individual BAA VSS charts for the Active Galaxies can be found in a more detailed table of these galaxies, on the Computing Section website at:

http://britastro.org/computing/handbooks_active.html

Page 112: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

110 Planets BAA Handbook 2016

PLANETSThe ephemerides of all the planets (except the dwarf planets and the minor planets), and also the diagrams for Uranus and Neptune, are referred to the apparent equinox, so that the RA and Dec. required for setting on the telescope are obtained directly from the ephemeris. For the minor planets and comets, astrometric ephemerides referred to the equinox of 2000.0 are given. Thus they are directly comparable with star catalogues and atlases referred to this epoch; however, precession should be applied to their positions before setting on a telescope. The magnitudes given are visual. For the minor planets, it should be noted that photographic magnitudes are fainter by about 0.7.The Sky Diary lists other phenomena in chronological order. Relative positions in the Diary are geocentric. Some headings in the tables are abbreviated, as follows:

a = Length of semi–major axis of orbit auCM = The longitude of central meridian °DE = Planetocentric declination of the Earth (called ‘Tilt’ in previous Handbooks) °DS = Planetocentric declination of the Sun °e = Eccentricity of orbit Elong. = Elongation of the planet from the Sun (where + is east and – is west) °H = Mean absolute asteroid magnitude i = Inclination °LS = The planetocentric longitude of the Sun, measured in the plane of the orbit from its ascending node on the Martian equator and given as a direct and exact indicator of the Martian season. The Martian Vernal Equinox (N. Hemisphere) occurs when LS = 0°. °M = Mean anomaly at the epoch °V = Visual magnitude Node = Longitude of the ascending node °P = Position angle of the axis of rotation, or of an occultation, measured eastwards from the north point of the disk °Peri. = Argument of perihelion °Ph. = Phase, the fraction of the disk area that is illuminated Q = Position angle of the point of greatest defect of illumination. The position angle of the line of cusps is Q±90°. °r = Heliocentric distance auU = Uncertainty codeΔ = Distance from Earth au

λ☉ = Solar longitude °Longitudes of central meridians refer to the geometric disks.

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BAA Handbook 2016 Elements of Planetary Orbits 111

ELEMENTS OF PLANETARY ORBITS

KEPLERIAN ELEMENTS FOR THE EPOCH 2016 JAN. 0.5 TT

Mean Longitude Mean Longitude Mean Longitude Inclination at the of the of the to the Mean Planet Epoch Perihelion Ascending Node Ecliptic Eccentricity Distance L ϖ Ω i e a

º º º º auMercury 46.056 77.705 48.521 7.005 0.20564 0.387Venus 184.253 131.788 76.824 3.395 0.00676 0.723Earth 100.097 103.212 - - 0.01670 1.000Mars 177.842 336.355 49.682 1.850 0.09342 1.524Jupiter 160.118 14.589 100.628 1.302 0.04852 5.203Saturn 245.822 93.371 113.806 2.488 0.05549 9.555Uranus 22.827 173.243 74.089 0.773 0.04638 19.218Neptune 339.527 48.348 131.96 1.768 0.00946 30.110

Keplerian elements are referred to the mean ecliptic and adjusted for best fit. The elements can be used for the determination of approximate positions of the planets according to Standish, E.M. and Williams, J.G.:

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/txt/aprx_pos_planets.pdf

Sidereal Mean Mean Perihelion Aphelion Mean Daily Sidereal Synodic Orbital Distance Distance Motion Period Period Velocity q Q n P au au ° d d km/sMercury 0.30750 0.46670 4.09234 87.9681 115.88 47.87Venus 0.71844 0.72822 1.60214 224.697 583.91 35.02Earth 0.98330 1.0167 0.98561 365.253 - 29.78Mars 1.3813 1.6660 0.52404 686.963 779.94 24.13Jupiter 4.9502 5.4551 0.08306 4334.35 398.87 13.06Saturn 9.0247 10.085 0.03337 10787.8 378.05 9.64Uranus 18.327 20.110 0.01170 30773.0 369.64 6.79Neptune 29.826 30.395 0.00597 60348.7 367.48 5.43

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112 Astronomical and Physical Constants BAA Handbook 2016

ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS

Gaussian gravitational constant 0.01720209895Astronomical unit (au) 149,597,870,700 metresSpeed of light in vacuo 299,792.458 km s–1

Dynamical form–factor J2 for the Earth 0.001082636Product of gravitational constant and mass of the Earth 398,600.5 km3 s–2

Earth–Moon mass ratio 81.3006Moon’s sidereal mean motion 2.661699489x10–6 radians s–1 = 0.5490149294" s–1

Obliquity of the ecliptic (2000) 23° 26' 21.448"Constant of nutation in obliquity (2000) 9.2052331"Solar parallax 8.794143"Light–time for unit distance 499.004784 s = 0.005775518 dConstant of aberration 20.49551"Mean distance Earth to Moon 384,400 kmConstant of sine Moon’s parallax 3422.451"Lunar inequality 6.43987"Parallactic inequality 124.986"Length of the year: Tropical (equinox to equinox) 365.24219d

Sidereal (fixed star to fixed star) 365.25636d

Anomalistic (apse to apse) 365.25964d

Eclipse (Moon’s node to Moon’s node) 346.62003d

Gaussian (Kepler’s law for a = 1) 365.25690d

Length of the month: Tropical (equinox to equinox) 27.32158d

Sidereal (fixed star to fixed star) 27.32166d

Anomalistic (apse to apse) 27.55455d

Draconic (node to node) 27.21222d

Synodic (New Moon to New Moon) 29.53059d

Length of the day: Mean solar day 24h 03m 56.555s = 1.00273791d mean sidereal time Mean sidereal day 23h 56m 04.091s = 0.99726957d mean solar time Sidereal rotation period of the Earth 23h 56m 04.099s = 0.99726966d mean solar timeSolar radiation: Solar constant 1.366 x 103 J m–2 s–1

Radiation emitted 3.84 x 1026 J s–1

Radiation emittance at surface 6.32 x 107 J m–2 s–1

Total internal radiant energy 2.8 x 1040 J Radiation emitted per unit mass 1.932 x 10–4 J s–1 kg–1

Visual absolute magnitude (Mv) +4.82 Colour indices (B–V, U–B) +0.65, +0.19 Spectral type G2V Effective temperature 5,800 K

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BAA Handbook 2016 Astronomical and Physical Constants 113

The Galaxy: Pole of galactic plane (2000) 12h 51m 26.28s, δ +27° 07' 42.0" Point of zero longitude (2000) 17h 45m 37.22s, δ –28° 56' 10.2" Galactic Longitude of North Celestial Pole (2000) 122.93° Mass 1.1 x 1011 solar masses = 2.2 x 1041 kg Average density 0.1 solar mass pc–3 = 7 x 10–21 kg m–3

Diameter 25,000 pc Thickness 4,000 pc Distance of Sun from centre 8,200 pc Distance of Sun above galactic plane 24 ±6 pc Solar apex (2000) (from radio astronomy) RA 18h 03.8m , Dec. 30° 00' Solar motion (from bright stars) 19.7 km s–1

Period of revolution of Sun about centre 2.2 x 108 yrConversion factors: Light–year (ly) 9.4607 x 1012 km = 63,240 au = 0.30660 pc Parsec (pc) 30.857 x 1012 km = 206,265 au = 3.2616 lyFigure of the Earth: Equatorial radius 6,378,136.6 m Polar radius 6,356,751.9 m Flattening 0.0033528197 * ρ sin φ' = S sin φ, ρ cos φ' = C cos φ where: S = 0.99497418 – 0.00167082 cos 2φ +10–8 (210 cos 4φ + 15.7 h) C = 1.00167997 – 0.00168208 cos 2φ +10–8 (212 cos 4φ + 15.7 h) ρ = 0.99832707 + 0.00167644 cos 2φ –10–8 (352 cos 4φ – 15.7 h) + 10–8 cos 6φ tan φ' = [0.9933054 + (0.11 x 10–8 h)] tan φ φ – φ' = 692.74" sin 2φ – 1.16" sin 4φ 1° of latitude = [111.1333 – 0.5598 cos 2 φ + 0.0012 cos 4φ] km 1° of longitude = [111.4133 cos φ – 0.0935 cos 3 φ + 0.0001 cos 5φ] km Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.780310 [1 + 0.00530239 sin2φ – 0.00000587 sin2 2φ – (31.55 x 10–8) h] m s–2

Length of seconds pendulum l = [0.9935769 – 0.0026272 cos 2φ + 0.0000029 cos 4φ – (3133 x 10–10) h] m

Constant of gravitation 6.67428 x 10–11 kg–1 m3 s–2

Centennial general precession p = 5028.796195" + 2.2108696" T†_______________________________________________________________________* φ = Geographic or geodetic latitude ρ = Geocentric distance in equatorial radii φ' = Geocentric latitude h = Height in metres† T = Time measured in Julian centuries from J2000.0

ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS

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114 Internet Resources BAA Handbook 2016

INTERNET RESOURCESThe following internet resources may be of interest to Handbook users. Mention here does not imply that the BAA sanctions the contents of these web pages. Web addresses can change and sites may not always be available. BAA Section home pages can be accessed from the BAA home page (see back cover).

BAA Computing Section website http://britastro.org/computing

Iau Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (main page)http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/index.html

The Astronomer (main page)http://www.theastronomer.org

Astronomical data and cataloguesCentre de Données Astronomiques de Strasbourg http://cdsportal.u-strasbg.fr/

National Space Science Data Center (USA) http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govAstronomical Data Archives Center (Japan) http://dbc.nao.ac.jp/index.html.en

The Sun, eclipses and space weatherSOHO web site http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.govSolar Terrestrial Dispatch http://www.spacew.com

Aurorae http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/auroraSpace Weather Prediction Center http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/forecasts

Space Weather http://www.spaceweather.comNASA Eclipse Home Page http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html

Eclipses and Transits http://xjubier.free.fr/en/index_en.htmlEclipse maps http://www.eclipse-maps.com/Eclipse-Maps/Welcome.html

Eclipse weather http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~jander/

Lunar PhasesLunar Terminator Visualisation Tool (LVTV) http://ltvt.wikispaces.com/LTVT+Download

Comet and meteor informationLatest IAU comet ephemerides http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/Weekly Information about Bright Comets http://www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/current.html

Comets http://www.cometography.comMeteors http://meteorshowersonline.com

International Meteor Organisation http://www.imo.net

Minor planets (asteroids)Lowell Observatory http://asteroid.lowell.edu

Solar System Dynamics on-line Tools http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?toolsNear Earth Object Confirmation page http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/iau/NEO/ToConfirm.html

IAU Minor Planet Center http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/iau/mpc.html

Timing occultations and other dynamical eventsIOTA Europe http://www.iota-es.de/

IOTA USA and rest of world http://www.occultations.orgGeneral information http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/iotandx.htmEuropean asteroid occultation resource and results http://www.euraster.net

Recent Supernovae

http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/lists/RecentSupernovae.html

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BAA Handbook 2016 Internet Resources and Greek Alphabet 115

body. Further details INTERNET RESOURCESVariable star information

AAVSO http://www.aavso.orgBAA Variable Star Section http://www.britastro.org/vss/

General Catalogue of Variable Stars http://www.sai.msu.su/gcvs/cgi-bin/search.htm

Artificial satellite visibilityHeavens Above http://www.heavens-above.com

Atmospheric phenomenahttp://www.atoptics.co.uk

Noctilucent cloud observers http://nlcnet.co.uk

Equipment reviewsExcelsis http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/catalog.php?categoryid=6

Astronomical and space news Astronomy Now http://www.astronomynow.com

Sky and Telescope http://www.skyandtelescope.comESO http://www.eso.org/public/outreach

Space.com http://www.space.comNASA http://science.nasa.govESA http://www.esa.int/ESA

Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/space_time/astronomy/

Dark SkiesBAA Campaign for Dark Skies http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies

International Dark-Sky Association http://www.darksky.org

Astronomy Picture of the Dayhttp://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Detailed ephemerides for solar system bodieshttp://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?horizons

(The website includes a tutorial explaining how to access detailed data for any solar-system body.)

Timehttp://stjarnhimlen.se/comp/time.html

GREEK ALPHABET

α alpha β beta γ gamma δ delta ε epsilon ζ zeta η eta θ theta ι iota κ kappa λ lamda μ mu ν nu ξ xi ο omicron π pi ρ rho σ sigma τ tau υ upsilon φ phi χ chi ψ psi ω omega

Page 118: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

116 Acknowledgements & Errata BAA Handbook 2016

ERRATAHandbook 2015p. 11 in ‘Locations experiencing totality’, the heading ‘Start of totality’ should have read ‘Middle of totality’.p.18 & 19 the heading ‘Diam.’ should read ‘Semi-Diam.’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Handbook would not be possible without the work of its many contributors : Andrew Sinclair contributed the diagrams showing the visibility of planets and their appearances and also data and diagrams for Saturn's satellites. Barry Legget supplied data for Jupiter satellites eclipses and transits. Des Loughney provided Heliocentric Times of Primary Minima. Fred Espenak (previously of the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center), Xavier Jubier and Sheridan Williams provided data and diagrams for eclipses. John Isles contributed the data on Mira stars and double stars. John Mason provided the meteor data. John Toone provided data on active galaxies and, with colleagues (Gary Poyner), provided data for variable stars and for the variable star of the year. Jonathan Shanklin provided data on comets, using a program written by himself. Ken Hall provided lunar libration data. Richard Miles provided data for asteroids, near–earth objects, trans–neptunian and dwarf planets, and diagrams for Pluto. Asteroid Favourable Observing Opportunities data were prepared by him, using data from the MPCORB database by Brian D. Warner (Minor Planet Center); Dr. Alan W. Harris (Space Science Institute); and Petr Pravec (Astronomical Institute, Odrejov, Czech Republic). Richard Kaye provided the System III Jupiter data, using a program written by himself. Robert Mackenzie provided the start dates for Carrington rotations. Sheridan Williams provided data for the Moon phases, apsides and selenographic colongitude. Saturn and Jupiter ephemerides as well as Time data. Susan Stewart of the United States Naval Observatory provided the Bright Stars positional data. Tim Haymes provided lunar occultation data and, with Edwin Goffin and Eberhardt Riedel (International Occultation Timing Association), the tables and maps for asteroid occultations and grazing lunar occultations. Tony Evans provided data for Mercury, Venus and Mars. William Thuillot (Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides) supplied the diagrams of Jupiter’s satellites.

Contributors have checked their own and others’ contributions and their comments have greatly improved the Handbook. The Editor gratefully acknowledges contributors’ support in answering any queries. Any data not mentioned above have been provided by the Editor and Director.

STEVE HARVEY Editor/Director

Page 119: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

The British Astronomical AssociationThe British Astronomical Association was founded in 1890 and now has about 3,000 members. Its leading features are:

Membership –Open to all persons interested in astronomy.

Objectives –(1) The organisation of observers, including those using small telescopes or binoculars, for mutual help. (2) The analysis and publication of observations.(3) The circulation of current astronomical information.(4) The encouragement of a popular interest in astronomy.

Methods –(1) The organisation of members in sections under experienced directors.(2) The publication of a Journal, Newsletters, a Handbook, Circulars and Bulletins.(3) The holding of meetings.(4) The maintenance of a collection of astronomical instruments for loan to members.(5) The affiliation of schools and societies.

Annual Subscriptions These are due August 1 each year. Current rates are available from the Office.

MEETINGS

Meetings are held at approximately monthly intervals, excluding July and August. Many are in London on either Wednesdays (starting at 17.30) or Saturdays (starting at 14.30). Meetings are also held at venues around the country. A very popular weekend meeting is held near Winchester in the spring and an Exhibition is normally held evey two years in June. Back–to–Basics meetings for beginners are held outside London each year, usually in March and October. Observers’ workshops are also held twice per year. Many observing sections hold meetings every few years, some annually. Full details of the current programme are available from the office and the website.

PUBLICATIONS

The principal publications are the Journal and the Handbook. In addition, e–mailed bulletins, paper circulars and section newsletters are available to members.The Journal is published six times a year. It contains reports of meetings, reports of the sections, papers, reviews, letters, images and notes on current astronomical news. The complete set of Journals from 1890 is available on DVD.Occasional longer Memoirs containing detailed section reports. This Handbook, prepared by the Computing Section, is published annually.The e–bulletins/Circulars give early information on new and predicted events such as planetary phenomena and the discovery of novae and comets. The complete set of Circulars is available on CD.

REGISTERED OFFICE

The Registered Office of the Association is at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0DU.Email: [email protected] 020 7734 4145. Hours are 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday.

Page 120: The British Astronomical Association Handbook 2016

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The BAA on the InternetBAA Home Page

http://britastro.org

This website contains information about theBAA and how to become a member; it gives details

about the meetings, publications and merchandise for sale.There is a “members only” area, plus links to pages

maintained by the Observing Sections.You can find news items, data on new comets,asteroid occultations and other topical events,

plus photo galleries and links to many other sourcesof astronomical information.

BAA Computing Section

http://britastro.org/computing

This website complements the Handbook by providing extra material for which there is not room in the Handbook. This includes

charts for many minor planets, calculational forms, graphical applications such as what is observable at any time

and positions of satellites of major planets. Constant data that do not need to be printed every year in the

Handbook together with links to other websites.Plus lunar limb profiles and star charts for the 2016 Total Solar Eclipse

and the Transit of Mercury .

BAA Journal

http://britastro.org/journal