Three positive events were recorded by using visual and video techniques.

View the updated prediction.

Observers:
  1    J Bradshaw,Samford Valley, Qld, AU
  2    J Bradshaw,Samford Valley, Qld, AU
  3    P Anderson,THE GAP,Brisbane,QLD,AU
  4    P Anderson,THE GAP,Brisbane,QLD,AU
  5    T Napier-Munn,Bellbowrie, Qld, AU
  6(P) Prediction
    

Discussion:

The circle above is plotted at the expected 64 km diameter of Penthesilea. With 3 chords it is reasonable to say that the central line of the event was close to Peter's visual observation. Both Peter and Jonathan reported a slow Reappearance.

The figure below shows the light Curve of Jonathan's observation which shows both D and R being slow and with the points chosen to represent the times. If this is caused by a double star then the separation is only 1.3 milli arc seconds and the PA 220 degrees. The star magnitude is given as m 11.8 and the asteroid (bottom of curve) m 13.9 then the secondary would be about m 14.2.

It is also noted that this seems to be the first observed occultation for (271) Penthesilea, and there is no data in the usual places for rotational lightcurve results.

Observational Data:

Observation details for MP (271) Penthesilea
By Star              TYC 1397-00920-1
On 2009-01-29  at 12:56:00.0
_______________________________

Observer   Jonathan Bradshaw
Location   Samford Valley, Qld, Australia
Longitude  +152:52:22.7
Latitude   -27:21:22.8
Altitude   95 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Dobsonian
Aperture   50 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear
Timing     GPS - time inserted Video with frame analysis
Disappearance  12:56:10.22
Reappearance   12:56:14.78
Comments: Clear and steady using GSTAR-EX with 2x integration and Gamma 6.
Subtracted 20ms from frame values. A late gradual dimming is seen in the light
curve with a corresponding gradual brightening toward the end of the reapearence

_______________________________

Observer   Jonathan Bradshaw
Location   Samford Valley, Qld, Australia
Longitude  +152:52:22.7
Latitude   -27:21:22.8
Altitude   95 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Dobsonian
Aperture   50 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear
Timing     GPS - time inserted Video with frame analysis
Disappearance  12:56:10.26
Reappearance   12:56:14.86
Comments: Clear and steady using GSTAR-EX with 2x integration and Gamma 6.
Subtracted 20ms from frame values. A late gradual dimming is seen in the light
curve with a corresponding gradual brightening toward the end of the reapearence

_______________________________

Observer   Peter Anderson
Location   THE GAP,Brisbane
Longitude  +152:55:57.9
Latitude   -27:27:42.3
Altitude   170 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Newtonian
Aperture   41 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear
Timing     Tape Recorder + time signal Visual, PE applied
Disappearance  12:56:11.20
Reappearance   12:56:14.60
Comments: Was checking the field when the star disappeared (silly)
When it re-appeared it was about 1/3 brightness for half a second then jumped
to full brightness - stepped appearance. Time quoted is first re-appearance.
_______________________________

Observer   Tim Napier-Munn
Location   Bellbowrie, Qld, Australia
Longitude  +152:53:7.5
Latitude   -27:33:29.5
Altitude   52 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope SCT including Cass and Mak
Aperture   36 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear
Timing     Stopwatch Only duration timed
Disappearance  12:56:08.00 (absolute time adjusted)
Reappearance   12:56:12.30 (absolute time adjusted)
Comments: The event happened between 1056pm and 1057pm (12:56UT and 12:57UT) and the duration was 4.3 secs approx.