Observation by Philip Denyer: Double star detection during asteroidal ...

Uploaded by

Philip Denyer

Observer

Philip Denyer

Observed

2021 Nov 23 - 22:36

Uploaded

2022 Feb 12 - 22:57

Objects

212 Medea

Equipment

Celestron C9.25

Exposure

Integration 0.08 seconds

Location

Hornchurch, London, UK

Target name

(212) Medea occults TYC 1857_01108_1

Title

Double star detection during asteroidal occultation

About this image

This asteroidal occultation revealed the mag 10.4 mag target star to be double, as clearly shown by the light curve. Probability 35% for my location with a predicted duration of 13 seconds and a mag drop of 2.1. Results published on the European Asteroidal Results web page here. This unexpected outcome of a double star detection has been documented in the BAA February Journal pages 17-18. I have uploaded a short video to YouTube here showing the AVI of the observation.

Files associated with this observation

denyer medea_tangra.png (67.1 kB)

Like this image

Robin Leadbeater, David Basey, Graham Winstanley, Tim Haymes, Dr Paul Leyland

Comments

Dr Paul Leyland, 2022 Feb 17 - 09:09 UTC

Can you estimate the separation of the two components based on the time separation? The different widths of the transits indicate that the PA of the double is at a significant angle to the path of the asteroid.

Philip Denyer, 2022 Feb 18 - 20:39 UTC

Hello Paul. Yes the separation of the components can be estimated. This was detailed in the article about the observation in the February Journal here . I have quoted the figures that you are looking for below as calculated by Tim Haymes.

"Given the motion of the asteroid at the time amounted to 0.47arcsec/min in position angle 265°, we suggest an approximate separation of 0.3 arcseconds between components A and B of the double"

Regards

Phil

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