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

The Moon Occults Pi Sagittarii August 10

On August the 10, 2011, the 92% illuminated moon will occult the star Pi Sagittarii, respectively in the constellation of Sagittarius. Shining in the heavens at magnitude 2.88, Pi Sagittarii will occult for the eastern half of North America, so keep your hopes that no clouds or rain will block your view from this magnificent occultation! Although it is rather too bad that the moon is as bright as it is, remember how nice the new moon was for the occultation of Mars last July 27, nevertheless, this occultation should still be good despite the moon!

Pi Sagittarii occulted this past February 28, 2011 over Madagascar and the Indian ocean if you recall, and on June 17, 2011 it occulted over the USA. Finally, The moon has found its way back to this luminous threesome. π Sagittarii is 440 light years away and is a collection of three stars, although too far to distinguish by a telescope. Peculiar to note, π Sgr has a number of names, including Albaldah, 41 Sagittarii, HR 7264, HD 178524, SAO 187756, HIP 94141, and CCDM 19098-2101.

Visibility map for occultation.

Because this star system has three components, it may dim due to eclipsing, so watch out for this. Starting over the Midwest US around 8:30 pm (CDT), the occultation will be seen throughout eastern America and some of Canada; ending at 10:30 EDT in Maine. Although the disappearance (the part everyone looks forward of seeing) has a smaller field of view than the reappearance, mind you that both events will be extremely hard to distinguish due to the moon's glow. "It's also very hard to make sure that you're looking at exactly the right place and time to see the star reappear," Sky&Telescope writes.

Upcoming Occultations:
16 Aug - Occultation of κ Psc - 5.0m - w Canada, w USA, Alaska, Hawaii
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