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Two Occultations by (3200) Phaethon in Europe and North Africa

The minor planet (3200) Phaethon is a NEO and was choosen as target for a flyby of the space probe Destinty+ of the japanese space agency JAXA. Therefore an observation of this occultation is very important to obtain precise astrometric data. Phaethon is the parent body of the Geminids meteors.
The maximum duration of both occultations is expected not to exceed 0.2 s. Due to the short duration of the event video observations with a high time resolution are essential. Try to avoid any integration of frames in the camera if possible with your equipment.

All the following predictions are now based on the latest JPL Horizons solution 711. Details and a global summary of occultations by (3200) Phaethon are listed at David Dunham’s webpage: http://iota.jhuapl.edu/2019Phaethon.htm

Please check predictions by Steve Preston (IOTA) for any last minute updates!

1. EVENT
UCAC4 712-017758 on 2019 Oct 12, 20:01 UT


RA: 02 12 08.0157 DE: +52 15 48.435 (Astrometric position with proper motion and parallax to date of event)
Star V mag 11.8 B mag 13.4
The shadow will cross Ukraine, Turkey and the island of Crete. Projected path width: 5 km
In the moment of an occultation the combined light of asteroid and star will drop by 5.0 mag (V), 5.3 mag (R).

Path map based on Steve Preston’s prediction of 2019 Oct 10:



About the map: The path was predicted by Steve Preston, IOTA, at 2019 Oct 10. The green line is the centre line, the blue lines indicate the path limits, and the red lines the 1-sigma-limit. The occultation will occur between the two red lines with a probability of 68 %. (Map data: © 2019 GeoBasis-DE/BKG, (©2009), Google, Inst. Geogr. Nacional) Link to Steve Preston’s prediction with path ccordinates:
http://asteroidoccultation.com/2019_10/1012_3200_67644.htm

2. EVENT
UCAC4 707-014626 on 2019 Oct 15, 19:45 UT


RA: 01 57 50.6931 DE: +51 17 46.088 (Astrometric position with proper motion and parallax to date of event)
Star V mag 11.1 B mag 12.8
The shadow will reach northern Finland at 19:45 UT and will cross Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France and finally moves on to the African continent in Algeria. Projected path width: 6 km
In the moment of an occultation the combined light of asteroid and star will drop by 5.7 mag (V), 6.1 mag (R).

Path maps based on Steve Preston’s prediction of 2019 Oct 10:

Europe North 1 Europe North 2 Europe Central Europe South Northern Africa


About the maps: The path was predicted by Steve Preston, IOTA, at 2019 Oct 10. The green line is the centre line, the blue lines indicate the path limits, and the red lines the 1-sigma-limit. The occultation will occur between the two red lines with a probability of 68 %. (Map data: © 2019 GeoBasis-DE/BKG, 2019 Google, (©2009), Google)

Link to Steve Preston’s prediction with path ccordinates:
http://asteroidoccultation.com/2019_10/1015_3200_67646.htm

Path maps with zoom function are available on Derek C. Breit’s web page:
http://www.poyntsource.com/New/Global.htm

Another Upcoming Event:
Another Occultation by (3200) Phaethon will happen across Europe on Oct 25, ~ 22:20 UT. The shadow will cross SE Poland, E Slovakia, NW Hungary Slowenia, N Italy, E Menorca and will reach Africa at W Algeria. Please be aware that the path might shift due to successful observations of the events on Oct 12 & 15.

Successful Observations of Phaeton
IOTA was successful in measuring an occultation by (3200) Phaethon on 2019 July 29 in the US.
A profile of this observation campaign is available here: http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/observations/Results/Reviewed/Data2019/20190829_3200_Phaethon_Profile.GIF

Good luck with your observation!

Please send your observation reports to: pr@iota-es.de


Oliver Klös
IOTA/ES, Public Relations