Stellar Occultations of Delta Aries (Aug 21) and 37 Taurus (Aug 22)

After the exciting occultation of Pi Sagitarii on the 10th, and Kappa Pisces on the 16th, now America will still see yet another occultation - or should I remark two. Two lovely, 4.4 magnitude stars will occult first, for the Whole United states and Canada, and the next day, just for the eastern US and Europe & Africa.

AUGUST 21, 2011: STELLAR OCCULTATION OF DELTA ARIES

The moon made viewing difficult these past two occultations, but now, as the moon is becoming new, viewing conditions should improve. During the occultation of Delta Aries, the moon will be waning, and will be 56% illuminated, which although still poor, is better than Kappa Pisces' occultation. Actually, this star's magnitude is 4.35, rather than the estimated 4.4, but even with the moon this bright, don't wait to see anything great. Wait until the moon is new - like the upcoming occultations below. Below is a visibility map and data.

AUGUST 22, 2011: STELLAR OCCULTATION OF 37 TAURUS

If weather permitted you to view the occultation on the 21st and you live in the south-east of the US or Europe or Africa, try watching the star 37 Taurus occult instead. With a magnitude of 4.36, and the moon being 46% bright, this occultation will definitely be better than yesterday's occultation. Below is a visibility map and data.

Upcoming Occultations

04 Sept 2011 Delta Scorpius

07 Sept 2011 X2 Sagittarius

Occultation of ZC3453: August 16, 2011

After Pi Sagitarii occulted this past Wednesday (the tenth of August), the northwest American states and Canada will be able to witness the occultation of Kappa Pisces this August 16. Although the moon again will damage such a pretty sight (around the time of occultation, the moon will be in the waning phase of 93% illuminated), stargazes will have to keep an eye on the star graze literally 'through' the moon. The disappearance is always most fascinating, but you have to admit the reappearance is spectacular as well. 

Kappa Pisces is a trinary star system located in (of course) the constellation Pisces, but is at magnitude 4.9 (Actually, one member is at around mag 4.9, one at mag 4.89 and the other at mag 11.9). This is fairly bright, but not a good occultation star. It is rather close at 162 light-years and with binoculars you can easily see the two mag 4 stars.

Occultation timing and locations are represented at this link with a larger version of the map above. The IOTA (International Occultation Timing Association) does an excellent job on putting up new occultations for the coming days.

Upcoming Occultations:
21 Aug - Occultation of δ Ari - 4.4m - USA, Canada
22 Aug - Occultation of 37 Tau - 3.0m - USA, Central America, n So America, Caribbeans