Easy asteroid occultation Oct-25 at 0240UT

[Tim Haymes]

On the night Oct 24/25 (Sunday morning) there is a rare opportunity (weather permitting !) to see a 10th magnitude star occulted by the asteroid (635)Vundtia.
The star TYC 0720-00339-1 is in northern Orion. Only a smallish telescope could be used, or big binoculars to see the star vanish for up to 17 seconds.

To make a visual observation, watch carefully from 0239 to 0241 UT and time the duration of the disappearance. The prediction is on page 54/55 of the Handbook. With enough observations and knowing the location of an observer, an approximate outline to the asteroid could be constructed.

Video observation with NTP timing would be best, but i see this as possible visual observation “experience”.

Full prediction details here: https://cloud.occultwatcher.net/event/2123-635-318591-360562-T00339-1

Best of luck – Tim
(Asteroids and Remote Planets Section)

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[Tim Haymes]

There will be a full Moon in the W/SW, and given other forms of background lighting or atmospherics the minimum aperture i would say, was be 80mm or 100mm for visual. Video would be far more sensitive. I hope someone will be able to attempt a visual observation of some kind.

[Tim Haymes]

Thank you to all observers. We have received one positive observation with duration 14sec (by CCD drift scan). There were several reports of blustery conditions and some bad luck with camera settings or equipment. No visual attempts received so far.

Until the next time… Tim

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