Occultation of 2 AND 3 Scorpii , Sunday August 3

The northern sky at 19:01 ACST Sunday August 3 as seen from Adelaide. The moon is about to occult the star 2 Scorpii. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The northern sky at 19:55 AEST Sunday August 3 as seen from Sydney. The moon is about to occult the star 2 Scorpii. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The northern sky at 18:39 ACST Sunday August 3 as seen from Perth. The star 3 Scorpii is about to exit occultation by  the moon . The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen

On Sunday August 3, the Moon will occult the moderately bight star 2 Scorpii and the dimmer 3 Scorpii shortly after. The occultation is visible from most of Australia.

The occultation occurs with the moon well above the northern horizon when the sky is fully dark for the Eastern and central states. Perth and Western Australia generally sees the occultation start during twilight.  The Moon is obvious and in the head of the constellation Scorpius. 

Disappearance and appearance times of 2 Scorpii are given in the table below (3 Scorpii follows soon after). Other locations will see the occultation at a similar time for cities at a similar latitude (eg Woomera is similar to Adelaide).

While the occultation is visible to the unaided eye (although the star 2 Scorpii not being very bright will make it difficult), the sight will be better in binoculars or a small telescope. Set up ahead of time so that you can be sure everything is working well and you can watch the entire event comfortably. The star 2 Scorpii will be visible to the unaided eye near the Moon. 

Labels: Moon, Occultation

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 7:27 am