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A 3.84 second occultation was recorded by Dave Gault, using video OSD technique.
View the updated prediction.
Observers: 1 D Gault,Hawkesbury Heights,NSW,AU 2(P) Prediction June
Discussion:
The circle above is plotted at the Occult expected 140 km diameter of
Patroclus. It is possible that this should be drawn as small as 104 km (see below).
With only one chord it is not possible to determine whether Dave was north
or south of the central line of the event.
The predicted path is right out of the frame at any zoom factor. Dave would have been in about the 3 sigma zone so probability was rather low.
Patroclus is the prime member of a binary pair of Jovian Trojan asteroids. See
Wikipedia or
UC Berkeley.
As the Wikipedia article suggests the diameters are comparable
(104km Primary vs 112km with distance about 680km avg - the 140 km ) the actual
paths they follow would have some added uncertainty
and it is uncertain if Dave saw Patroclus or Menoetius occult the star.
The figure below shows the Tangra light curve of the occultation.
The very short dip with integrating camera adds to the uncertainty of this
observation and it should not be used for astrometric purposes.
This uncertainty is
big enough to earn the Possible Occultation caution.
Dave has loaded video copy of the occultation to Youtube here.
Observational Data:
Observation details for MP (617) Patroclus or Menoetius By Star UCAC2 13229620 On 2010-06-14 at 19:56:30.0 _______________________________ Observer Dave Gault Location Hawkesbury Heights,NSW,AU Longitude +150:38 Latitude -33:39 Altitude 286 m Datum WGS84 Telescope Newtonian Aperture 25 cm Seeing Steady Clear Timing GPS - time inserted Video with frame analysis Disappearance 19:57:04.95 Reappearance 19:57:08.79 Comments: Light curve plot and .csv file included with this report. See http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/astro/astmoons/am-00617.html for details of companion Menoetius