David and Joan Dunham set up five video observing stations using a mixture of 80 and 120mm refractors in Western Australia. Four of them detecting occultations with durations ranging from three to eight seconds.

View the IOTA update.

Observers:
  1    D Dunham,Meckering, WA, AU           
  2    D Dunham,Tammin, WA, AU              
  3    D Dunham,Carrabin, WA, AU            
  4    D Dunham,Moorine Rock, WA, AU        
  5(M) D Dunham,Yellowdine, WA, AU          
  6(P) Prediction              

       

Discussion:

There are no DAMIT or ISAM shape models for (344) Desiderate but the well spaced chords obtained by David and Joan clearly show a mildly oval outline with indications for irregularities around the limb. Broadly the size would appear to be around 114km by 138km. .

Observational Data:

Observation details for MP ( 344 ) Desiderata
By Star              TYC 1984-01993-1 
On 2016-02-08  at 17:47:10.0

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Observer   David and Joan Dunham
Location   Meckering, WA, AU
Longitude  +116:57
Latitude   -31:38
Altitude   206 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Refractor
Aperture    8 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear 
Camera Type  PC164C-EX      NTSC/EIA      
Camera Delay 
Timing     GPS - other linking Video, photo or photoelectric
Disappearance  17:47:13.00
Reappearance   17:47:16.00
Comments: Pre time calibration with IOTA/VTI at 11:53 UT (event -5.9h) & post calibration at 21:37 UT (event +3.8h). The star is PPM 101346, spectral type K0. Remote unattended pre-pointed Sta. #1 using Supercircuits PC164C-EX2 (KT&C KBC 650) camera SN I336339 & Canon ZR #28, tape AS13. -119 km (west) of pred. center, e. side Loton Rd by yield sign about 150m n. Hwy 94 west of Meckering. ZR triggered with programmable remote #1

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Observer   David and Joan Dunham
Location   Tammin, WA, AU
Longitude  +117:26
Latitude   -31:38
Altitude   243 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Refractor
Aperture    8 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear 
Camera Type  PC164C-EX      NTSC/EIA      
Camera Delay 
Timing     GPS - time inserted Video, photo or photoelectric
Disappearance  17:47:09.00
Reappearance   17:47:15.50
Comments: IOTA/VTI time inserted. The star is PPM 101346, spectral type K0. Prog. Remotes didn't start ZR's at Sta. 3 w Bandee & Sta. 4 se Merredin. Remote unattended pre-pointed Sta. #2 using Supercircuits PC164C-EX2 (KT&C KBC 650) camera SN I336310 & Canon ZR #S12, new tape CN05. -78 km (west) of pred. center, edge of field, n. side Hwy 94 west of Tammin. ZR triggered with programmable remote #2

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Observer   David and Joan Dunham
Location   Carrabin, WA, AU
Longitude  +118:42
Latitude   -31:22
Altitude   376 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Refractor
Aperture   12 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear 
Camera Type  Watec 902H     PAL/CCIR      
Camera Delay 
Timing     GPS - time inserted Video, photo or photoelectric
Disappearance  17:47:01.00
Reappearance   17:47:09.00
Comments: IOTA-VTI time inserted. Used 120mm "maxi" on a "Ted Blank" A4 alt-az mount. Remote unattended pre-pointed Sta. #5 using Watec 902H Ultimate camera SN W134BC10875 & MiniDVR #4. +41 km (east) of pred. center, in clearing (indistinct dirt road) about 40m n. Hwy 94 east of Carrobin. Recorded with MDVR schedule mode.

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Observer   David and Joan Dunham
Location   Moorine Rock, WA, AU
Longitude  +119:09
Latitude   -31:17
Altitude   329 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Refractor
Aperture    8 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear 
Camera Type  PC164C-EX      NTSC/EIA      
Camera Delay 
Timing     GPS - other linking Video, photo or photoelectric
Disappearance  17:47:01.00
Reappearance   17:47:04.00
Comments: Pre time calibration with IOTA/VTI at 16:40 UT (event -1.1h) & post calibration at 18:26 UT (event +0.7h). The star is PPM 101346, spectral type K0. Remote unattended pre-pointed Sta. #6 using Supercircuits PC164C-EX2 (KT&C KBC 650) camera SN I5200072 & Canon ZR #35, new tape CN06. +82 km (east) of pred. center, in ditch s. of pipeline on n. side of Hwy 94 east of Moorine Rock. ZR left running at pre-cal with enough tape.

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Observer   David and Joan Dunham
Location   Yellowdine, WA, AU
Longitude  +119:32
Latitude   -31:16
Altitude   410 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope Refractor
Aperture    8 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear 
Camera Type  PC164C-EX      NTSC/EIA      
Camera Delay 
Timing     GPS - time inserted Video, photo or photoelectric

Missed

Comments: IOTA/VTI time inserted. The star is PPM 101346, spectral type K0.  Attended pre-pointed Sta. #7 using Supercircuits PC164C-EX2 (KT&C KBC 650) camera SN I5200066 & capture to Joan's laptop W10 PC. +115 km (east) of pred. center, on n. side Hwy 94 west of Yellowdine.