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Palomar

Member

From: USA

Registered: 2002-05-30

Posts: 9,734

Re: Pluto Occultation

Here's a rarity:

PLUTO OCCULTATION: On Sunday morning, March 18th, Pluto will pass directly in front of a star in the constellation Sagittarius. This occultation will be visible through large backyard telescopes in the western United States, offering a rare look into Pluto's surprising atmosphere. Experienced amateur astronomers are encouraged to observe.

http://www.lesia.obspm.fr/%7Esicardy/18_march_07/

All that courtesy spaceweather.com

--Cindy

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We all know [i]those[/i] Venusians: Doing their hair in shock waves, smoking electrical coronas, wearing Van Allen belts and resting their tiny elbows on a Geiger counter...

--John Sladek (The New Apocrypha)

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,431

Re: Pluto Occultation

Here is another All eyes on Pluto Sunday; Astronomers hope to learn more about planet as it passes in front of star

Occultations occur about once every five to 10 years for Pluto, but the phenomenon will become more frequent now that Pluto has moved between Earth and the central region of the Milky Way where most of our galaxy’s stars reside. With so many chance star encounters, Pluto is expected to experience one or two occultations each year.

This one will be about six minutes to complete its journey. William Hubbard of the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory will monitor the atmosphere of Pluto. It would be better if Hubble was also watching but I am sure that others will be pointed that way I would hope.