THE HANDBOOK BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION 2019

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1 THE HANDBOOK OF THE BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION October ISSN X

2 CONTENTS PREFACE HIGHLIGHTS FOR SKY DIARY CALENDAR SUN ECLIPSES APPEARANCE OF PLANETS VISIBILITY OF PLANETS RISING AND SETTING OF THE PLANETS IN LATITUDES 52 N AND 35 S PLANETS Explanation of Tables ELEMENTS OF PLANETARY ORBITS MERCURY VENUS EARTH MOON LUNAR LIBRATION MOONRISE AND MOONSET SUN S SELENOGRAPHIC COLONGITUDE LUNAR OCCULTATIONS GRAZING LUNAR OCCULTATIONS MARS ASTEROIDS ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS (incl. TNO Hightlight:28978 Ixion) ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES NEO CLOSE APPROACHES TO EARTH JUPITER SATELLITES OF JUPITER JUPITER ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS SATURN SATELLITES OF SATURN URANUS NEPTUNE TRANS NEPTUNIAN & SCATTERED-DISK OBJECTS DWARF PLANETS COMETS METEOR DIARY VARIABLE STARS (RZ Cassiopeiae; Algol; RS Canum Venaticorum) MIRA STARS VARIABLE STAR OF THE YEAR (RS Canum Venaticorum) EPHEMERIDES OF VISUAL BINARY STARS BRIGHT STARS ACTIVE GALAXIES TIME ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS GREEK ALPHABET ACKNOWLEDGMENTS / ERRATA Front Cover: Mercury - taken between 2018 June 25 and July 12 by Simon Kidd using a C14 scope, ASI224MC camera and 742nm filter. Different processing is combined for limb and main image content, owing to extremely low contrast.

3 British Astronomical Association HANDBOOK FOR 2019 NINETY EIGHTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION BURLINGTON HOUSE, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W1J 0DU Telephone

4 PREFACE Welcome to the 98th Handbook of the British Astronomical Association. The Handbook highlights forthcoming astronomical events for the year, but there are always events that can be missed, or are entirely unpredictable, like comets, asteroid close approaches, aurorae, etc. Make sure you watch the BAA s website for the latest news. Also, make sure you are receiving the new newsletters by keeping your up to date with the BAA office. Once again we would also encourage everyone to join their local astronomical society to try equipment, talk to like-minded people, and to give and receive help. It can take a long time to choose the right equipment and learn how to use it, so make the most of your local society. The BAA s Sections can help too. Contact the Section Directors, who will be pleased to help. You may also like to consider getting involved with the annual events organised as part of World Space Week (4-10 Oct.). This is an international celebration of all things SPACE and focuses on science and technology and its role in the past, present and future of mankind. World Space Week currently consists of space education and outreach events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs around the world. ( Unfortunately we are restricted by the number of pages that we can include in the Handbook. This does mean that some things will have to be left out. This edition we have had to remove the Internet Resources pages to make room for more eclipse/transit pages. However, the Computing Section does publish all additional data on the section website ( This includes both Comet charts and Asteroid Oppositions and Appulses. Members may also like to know that the Computing Section provides the data for the Royal Astronomical Society s Diary. Finally, we must thank all the contributors to the Handbook. You will find them acknowledged on page 116. Contact details for many of these can be found at the back of every Journal. Alternatively, the Director, Steve Harvey (address below) and messages can be forwarded to those concerned. Clear skies for 2019! Steve Harvey Director, Computing Section baa@steveharvey.co.uk August Preface BAA Handbook 2019

5 HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2019 The following events during 2019 are worthy of note: Sun and Moon: There will be five eclipses (three of the Sun and two of the Moon). The first being a partial solar eclipse followed by a total (visible form South America) and an Annular at the end of the year (visible from Southern India and Indonesia). The first lunar eclipse is full and visible (early morning) from the UK Jan.21. There will also be a partial lunar eclipse July 16. There will be a transit of Mercury visible from the UK. Nov. 11. The next one will not be until Planets, Dwarf Planets and Asteroids: Mercury is best seen around the time of greatest elongation. For the mornings, this will be April 11, August 9 and November 28. Whilst for evening apparitions it will be February 27, June 23 and October 20. Venus is a morning object for the first half of the year before moving into visibility at dusk for the latter part of the year. It is at Greatest Western Elongation of 47 degrees from the Sun on January 6. Mars is visible as an all night object until the middle of the year. Meteors: Among the meteor showers, the most favourable are: the Quadrantids (January), Bootids (June) and Alpha Capricornids (July). Southern Delta Aquarids (July) and the Ursids (December). Also favourable are: Alpha Aurigids, Camelopardalids and Alpha Monocerotids Comets: There are no particularly bright comets predicted for However it is generally worth paying attention to (due to its tendency to outburst) is Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann. Refer to the BAA Comet Section for latest info : Space Probes and Artificial Satellites: Pluto visitor New Horizons will fly past 2014 MU69 on Jan 1. United Launch Alliance (ULA) aim to launch the Solar Orbiter Probe in February, using the new Atlas V rocket. SpaceX plan to land an autonomous vehicle on the Moon, ULA also plan to launch a two-man crew to the International Space Station (ISS) using the CST-100 Starliner. Positional predictions for the ISS and other bright satellites can be found for any geographic location at: location at: Highlights by date: Jan. 6 Partial solar eclipse visible from north east Asia Jan. 21 Total lunar eclipse visible from central Pacific, Americas, Europe and Africa Mar. 20 The vernal equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 21:58 UT Apr. 22 Lyrid meteor shower Jun. 10 Jupiter at opposition Jul. 10 Saturn at opposition Jun. 21 The summer solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 15:54 UT Jul. 2 Total solar eclipse visible over Chile and Argentina 14 Pluto at opposition 16 Partial lunar eclipse visible South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia Aug. 13 Perseid meteor shower Sep. 10 Neptune at opposition 23 The autumnal equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 07:50 UT Oct. 28 Uranus at opposition Nov. 11 Transit of Mercury 18 Leonids meteor shower Dec. 14 Geminids meteor shower 22 The winter solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 04:19 UT 26 Annular eclipse of the sun visible from Saudi Arabia, India and Indonesia In addition, the Moon occults the planets Venus (twice), Jupiter, and Saturn (12 times) as indicated by the Sky Diary (next page). BAA Handbook 2019 Highlights 3

6 SKY DIARY m d h Phenomenon m d h Lunation Venus 1.3 S of Moon Saturn in Conjunction with Sun Quadrantid Meteor Shower New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse Venus at Greatest Elong: 47.0 W First Quarter Moon Aldebaran 1.6 S of Moon Total Lunar Eclipse Full Moon Beehive Cluster 0.6 N of Moon Last Quarter Moon Mercury at Superior Conjunction Venus 0.1 S of Moon: Occn Saturn 0.6 S of Moon: Occn New Moon First Quarter Moon Beehive Cluster 0.6 N of Moon Full Moon Last Quarter Moon Mercury at Greatest Elong: 18.1 E Saturn 0.3 S of Moon: Occn Venus 1.2 N of Moon New Moon Neptune in Conjunction with Sun Aldebaran 1.9 S of Moon First Quarter Moon Mercury at Inferior Conjunction Beehive Cluster 0.5 N of Moon Vernal Equinox Full Moon Jupiter 1.9 S of Moon Last Quarter Moon Saturn 0.1 N of Moon: Occn Venus 2.7 N of Moon New Moon Mercury at Greatest Elong: 27.7 W First Quarter Moon Beehive Cluster 0.2 N of Moon Full Moon Lyrid Meteor Shower Uranus in Conjunction with Sun Saturn 0.4 N of Moon: Occn Last Quarter Moon New Moon Eta-Aquarid Meteor Shower Beehive Cluster 0.0 S of Moon First Quarter Moon Full Moon Mercury at Superior Conjunction Saturn 0.5 N of Moon: Occn Last Quarter Moon New Moon Beehive Cluster 0.2 S of Moon First Quarter Moon Jupiter at Opposition Full Moon Mercury 0.2 of Mars Saturn 0.4 N of Moon: Occn Summer Solstice Mercury at Greatest Elong: 25.2 E Last Quarter Moon 4 Sky Diary BAA Handbook 2019

7 SKY DIARY cont'd m d h Phenomenon m d h Lunation New Moon Mercury greatest elongation E(26 ) Total Solar Eclipse Beehive Cluster 0.2 S of Moon First Quarter Moon Saturn at Opposition Mars 0.4 S of Beehive Cluster Saturn 0.2 N of Moon: Occn Partial Lunar Eclipse Full Moon Mercury at Inferior Conjunction Last Quarter Moon Delta-Aquarid Meteor Shower New Moon First Quarter Moon Mercury at Greatest Elong: 19.0 W Saturn 0.0 N of Moon: Occn Perseid Meteor Shower Venus at Superior Conjunction Full Moon Last Quarter Moon Beehive Cluster 0.2 S of Moon New Moon Mars in Conjunction with Sun Mercury at Superior Conjunction First Quarter Moon Saturn 0.0 N of Moon: Occn Neptune at Opposition Full Moon Last Quarter Moon Autumnal Equinox Beehive Cluster 0.4 S of Moon New Moon First Quarter Moon Saturn 0.3 N of Moon: Occn Full Moon Mercury at Greatest Elong: 24.6 E Last Quarter Moon Orionid Meteor Shower Beehive Cluster 0.6 S of Moon New Moon Uranus at Opposition Saturn 0.6 N of Moon: Occn First Quarter Moon Taurid Meteor Shower Mercury at Inferior Conjunction (Transit) Full Moon Leonid Meteor Shower Beehive Cluster 0.9 S of Moon Last Quarter Moon New Moon Mercury at Greatest Elong: 20.1 W Jupiter 0.7 S of Moon: Occn Moon at Descending Node Saturn 0.9 N of Moon: Occn First Quarter Moon Full Moon Geminid Meteor Shower Last Quarter Moon Winter Solstice Ursid Meteor Shower New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse Jupiter in Conjunction with Sun Venus 1.0 N of Moon: Occn. BAA Handbook 2019 Sky Diary 5

8 CALENDAR 2019 January February March April May June July Aug September October November December day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day day of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of of month year month year month year month year month year month year month year month year month year month year month year month year Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat BAA Handbook 2019 Sun Mon 1 January 2019 is Julian day number See also p.17

9 SUN The tables on p.8 9 give the apparent RA, Dec. and diameter of the Sun, the UT of transit across the Greenwich meridian, and P, B 0, L 0 where P is the position angle of the N end of the axis of rotation. It is positive when east of the north point of the disk, negative if west; B 0 is the heliographic latitude of the centre of the disk; L 0 is the heliographic longitude of the centre of the disk. Decrease of L 0 with Time h m º h m º h m º h m º h º l The heliographic longitude and latitude of a spot may be conveniently estimated by the method described in J. Br. Astron. Assoc., 53, 63 (1943). Carrington Rotation Number The dates of commencement of the synodic rotations, in continuation of Carrington s (Greenwich Photo Heliographic) series, are as follows: Rotation Begins Rotation Begins Rotation Begins d d d 2213 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec At the date of commencement of each synodic rotation period the value of L 0 is zero; that is, the prime meridian passes through the central point of the disk. The sidereal period of rotation of the Sun used in physical ephemerides is mean solar days, after Carrington; the mean synodic rotation period is d BAA Handbook 2019 Sun 7

10 SUN 2018/9 RA Dec. Diam. Transit P B 0 L 0 h m ' ' " h m Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Sun BAA Handbook 2019

11 SUN 2019/20 RA Dec. Diam. Transit P B 0 L 0 h m ' ' " h m Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan BAA Handbook 2019 Sun 9

12 ECLIPSES During 2019 there will be three eclipses of the Sun and two of the Moon. There will also be a transit of Mercury. 1. A partial eclipse of the Sun on January 6 will be visible over north-eastern Asia, Northern Pacific and parts of Alaska. 2. A total lunar eclipse on January 21 will be visible from central America, Portugal, Eire and the UK. Northern parts of Spain and France will also be able to watch the whole eclipse. 3. A total solar eclipse on July 2 is visible from the South Pacific and South America - Chile and Argentina. 4. A partial lunar eclipse on July 16 is visible in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australisia 5. An annular solar eclipse on December 26 is visible in Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Sinagpore and Indonesia. 6. A transit of Mercury on November 11 is visble in entirety from the Americas. Maximum transit shall occur a little before sunset, as viewed from the UK. Solar Eclipse Mailing List The solar eclipse community is very active and there is a plethora of websites devoted entirely to the subject. To keep up to date join the Solar Eclipse mailing list: Useful eclipse websites include: For weather predictions : Jay Anderson's site: For general information : Xavier Jubier's site: or Fred Espenak's: & 10 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2019

13 ECLIPSES BAA Handbook 2019 Eclipses 11

14 ECLIPSES 12 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2019

15 ECLIPSES BAA Handbook 2019 Eclipses 13

16 ECLIPSES 14 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2019

17 ECLIPSES BAA Handbook 2019 Eclipses 15

18 ECLIPSES Transit of Mercury - November 11 In the present epoch, transits of Mercury occur in May or November. May transits are roughly half as frequent as November transits and this is the last November transit until The dates of transits are drifting later in the year. In the early 1500s they were in April and October. The interval between May transits is 13 or 33 years, and November transit intervals are 7, 13, or 33 years. For May transits, Mercury has a diameter of 12" and occur at the descending node of Mercury s orbit. For November transits, Mercury has a diameter of 10" and occur at the ascending node. May transits are less frequent than November transits because during a May transit, Mercury is near aphelion whereas during a November transit, it is near perihelion. Perihelion transits occur more frequently because Mercury moves faster in its orbit at perihelion and can reach the transit node more quickly, and at perihelion Mercury has less parallax as it is closer to the Sun. Previous Mercury transits were in November 2006 and May 2016, the next are November 2032 and November For reference, the next Venus transit is not until 2117 December 11. The transit is visible in its entirety from Central and South America and Eastern USA. The UK, Europe and Africa will not see the Egress stage and the rest of the USA shall not see the Ingress stage as the transit is already in progress at sunrise. No part is visible from Australasia, Japan, and Indonesia. Times differ little throughout the world and even less from within the UK: Location I II G III IV Duration London 12:35:35 12:37:16 15:19:44 16:34* 3h 58m 25s Glasgow 12:35:38 12:37:19 14:56:22 16:14* 3h 38m 22s Belfast 12:35:38 12:37:19 15:19:47 16:25* 3h 49m 22s Cardiff 12:35:36 12:37:17 15:19:44 16:26* 3h 50m 24s New York 12:36:04 12:37:45 15:20:13 18:02:39 18:04:20 5h 28m 16s Rio de Janeiro 12:35:44 12:37:25 15:19:40 18:02:02 18:03:43 5h 27m 59s * Transit ends at sunset / All times are UT (GMT) /See diagram for positions of I, II, G, III and IV UK Circumstances: Solar Semidiameter : 16' 09.3" Semidiameter of Mercury : 0' 05.0" (note path after sunset is greyed out). 16 Eclipses BAA Handbook 2019

19 ECLIPSES Mercury Transit of 2019 Nov 11 Geocentric Diagram and Visibility Map Greatest Transit: 15:19:47.4 UT J.D.: N Constants ΔT: 69.70s III IV Ecliptic E Maximum W I II Transit Geocentric Contacts I: 12:35:26 UTC (109.8 ) II: 12:37:08 UTC (109.8 ) G: 15:19:47 UTC (24.3 ) III: 18:02:33 UTC (298.8 ) IV: 18:04:14 UTC (298.7 ) E N W P.A. S S Arc-Minutes Geocentric Data Minimum separation: 75.9 General Duration: 05h28m47s Central Duration: 05h25m25s G II I III IV G II I III IV Transit in Progress at Sunrise Entire Transit Visible Transit in Progress at Sunset No Transit Visible Mercury Venus Transit Maestro - Xavier M. Jubier ( BAA Handbook 2019 Eclipses 17

20 APPEARANCE OF PLANETS 18 Appearance of Planets BAA Handbook 2019

21 VISIBILITY OF PLANETS The diagrams on pp 20 21, drawn for latitudes N 52 and S 35 respectively, show the times for the risings and settings of the Sun and the planets. The beginning and end of astronomical twilight (Sun 18 below horizon) is also shown. The times are in Local Mean Time and are thus in GMT (which is equal to UT) for Greenwich. Since dates change at midnight, the dates at the top differ by one day from those at the foot. Each vertical line, followed upwards, indicates the succession of phenomena in the course of one night. Thus, at latitude N 52 on the night of June 9/10, Venus rises at 3h 00m and Mercury sets at 21h 55m, Mars sets at 22h 15m and Saturn rises at the same time. Jupiter rises at 0h 35m. Uranus rises about 1h 50m. all events occurring during twilight. Sunrise is at 03h 40m and sunset at 20h 20m, (Timings in UT derived from the diagram to nearest 5 minutes). The UT of any phenomenon seen from elsewhere than Greenwich may be obtained as follows: 1. For longitudes east of Greenwich, subtract the longitude, expressed as time. For longitudes west of Greenwich, add the longitude expressed as time. (One degree of longitude represents 4 minutes.) This applies both to rising and to setting times. 2. Correct for latitude using a value for Δh from the table below. Add Δh, for setting times and subtract Δh for rising times. The correction should be obtained by interpolating in both latitude and declination. Δh TABLE Latitude Dec. Latitude N 58 N 55 N 50 N 40 N 30 N 20 0 S 20 S 25 S 30 S 40 S 45 m m m m m m m m m m m m If Dec. is negative, reverse the sign of Δh. BAA Handbook 2019 Visibility of Planets 19

22 RISING AND SETTING OF PLANETS 20 Visibility of Planets BAA Handbook 2019

23 RISING AND SETTING OF PLANETS BAA Handbook 2019 Visibility of Planets 21

24 PLANETS The ephemerides of all the planets (except the dwarf planets and the minor planets), and also the diagrams for Uranus and Neptune, are referred to the apparent equinox, so that the RA and Dec. required for setting on the telescope are obtained directly from the ephemeris. For the minor planets and comets, astrometric ephemerides referred to the equinox of are given. Thus they are directly comparable with star catalogues and atlases referred to this epoch; however, precession should be applied to their positions before setting on a telescope. The magnitudes given are visual. For the minor planets, it should be noted that photographic magnitudes are fainter by about 0.7. The Sky Diary lists other phenomena in chronological order. Relative positions in the Diary are geocentric. Some headings in the tables are abbreviated, as follows: a = Length of semi major axis of orbit au CM = The longitude of central meridian D E = Planetocentric declination of the Earth (called Tilt in previous Handbooks) D S = Planetocentric declination of the Sun e = Eccentricity of orbit Elong. = Elongation of the planet from the Sun (where + is east and is west) H = Mean absolute asteroid magnitude i = Inclination L S = The planetocentric longitude of the Sun, measured in the plane of the orbit from its ascending node on the Martian equator and given as a direct and exact indicator of the Martian season. The Martian Vernal Equinox (N. Hemisphere) occurs when L S = 0. M = Mean anomaly at the epoch V = Visual magnitude Node = Longitude of the ascending node P = Position angle of the axis of rotation, or of an occultation, measured eastwards from the north point of the disk Peri. = Argument of perihelion Ph. = Phase, the fraction of the disk area that is illuminated Q = Position angle of the point of greatest defect of illumination. The position angle of the line of cusps is Q±90. r = Heliocentric distance au U = Uncertainty code Δ = Distance from Earth au λ = Solar longitude Longitudes of central meridians refer to the geometric disks. 22 Planets BAA Handbook 2019

25 ELEMENTS OF PLANETARY ORBITS KEPLERIAN ELEMENTS FOR THE EPOCH 2019 JAN. 0.5 TT Mean Longitude Mean Longitude Mean Longitude Inclination at the of the of the to the Mean Planet Epoch Perihelion Ascending Node Ecliptic Eccentricity Distance L ϖ Ω i e a º º º º au Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Keplerian elements are referred to the mean ecliptic and adjusted for best fit. The elements can be used for the determination of approximate positions of the planets according to Standish, E.M. and Williams, J.G.: Sidereal Mean Mean Perihelion Aphelion Mean Daily Sidereal Synodic Orbital Distance Distance Motion Period Period Velocity q Q n P au au d d km/s Mercury Venus Earth n/a Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune BAA Handbook 2019 Elements of Planetary Orbits 23

26 MERCURY Morning Apparition Greatest Elongation W Superior Conjunction Apr. 11 (28 ) Jan. 30 Aug. 9 (19 ) May 21 Nov. 28 (20 ) Sep. 4 When best seen: Northern Hemisphere: early to mid Jan., late Aug. to mid Sept., December Southern Hemisphere: January, early Apr. to late May, mid-late Aug., December 2019 RA Dec V Diam Ph. Elong. CM Δ h m ' " au Jan Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Nov Dec Mercury BAA Handbook 2019

27 MERCURY Evening Apparition Greatest Elongation E Inferior Conjunction Feb. 27 (18 ) Mar. 15 Jun. 23 (25 ) Jul. 21 Oct. 20 (25 ) Nov. 11 (Transit) When best seen: Northern Hemisphere: Mar., mid Jun. to early Jul. Southern Hemisphere: mid June to late July, early Oct. to late Nov RA Dec V Diam. Ph. Elong. CM Δ h m ' " au Feb Mar May Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov BAA Handbook 2019 Mercury 25

28 VENUS Superior Conjunction : Aug. 14 Greatest elongation W : Jan. 6 (47 ) Inferior Conjunction : RA Dec. V Diam. Ph. Elong. Δ h m ' " au Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Venus BAA Handbook 2019

29 EARTH Perihelion Aphelion Jan. 03d 05h 20m (147,099,766 km, au) Jul. 04d 22h 11m (152,104,278 km, au) Equinoxes Mar. 20d 22h 00m Sep. 23d 07h 51m Solstices Jun. 21d 15h 55m Dec. 22d 04h 21m Obliquity MOON PHASES OF THE MOON New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter d h m d h m d h m d h m Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr May May May May Jun Jun Jun Jun Jul Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec Dec APSIDES PERIGEE APOGEE Date Diam. Date Diam. Date Diam. Date Diam. d h ' " d h ' " d h ' " d h ' " Jan Jul Jan Jul Feb Aug Feb Aug Mar Aug Mar Sep Apr Sep Apr Oct May Oct Apr Nov Jun Nov May Dec Dec Jun BAA Handbook 2019 Earth / Moon 27

30 LUNAR LIBRATION The libration data are given in two forms: as a size and position angle (P); and as the selenographic longitude and latitude of the centre of the disk. The position angle identifies the point on the edge of the disk most displaced towards the centre of the disk from its mean position and is measured from the North point of the disk (NOT the North Pole of the Moon, which usually does not coincide with the North point of the disk) anticlockwise through celestial East, as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 N, E, S and W are directions in the sky. Selenographic longitude and latitude are analogous to geographic longitude and latitude, with latitudes of +90º and 90º identifying the Moon's North and South Poles, around which the Moon rotates. Positive longitudes are in the Moon's Eastern hemisphere and negative longitudes in the Moon's Western hemisphere, as shown in Fig. 2 for the case of zero libration. For zero libration the selenographic longitude and latitude of the centre of the disk are both 0º. Note that the Eastern hemisphere (positive selenographic longitude) of the Moon in Fig. 2 roughly corresponds to the Western side (in terms of sky direction) of the disk in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Maximum Minimum Date Size P Sel Lon Sel Lat Date Size P Sel Lon Sel Lat d º º º º d º º º º Jan Jan Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr Apr May May Jun Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Lunar BAA Handbook 2019

31 MOONRISE AND MOONSET On the four following pages are given the times (UT) of moonrise and moonset for longitude 0, in the standard latitudes of N 52 and S 35. Observers in most other latitudes can determine approximate times using the following method, where the times of moonrise and moonset are for the standard latitude in the same hemisphere as the observer. The basis of the method is given in J. Br. Astron. Assoc., 86, 416 (1976). 1. For a moonrise, R 1, use the previous moonset, S 0, and the following moonset, S 2. Form a = 2R 1 +S 0 +S 2 +8 m 2. For a moonset, S 1, use the previous moonrise, R 0, and the following moonrise, R 2. Form a = 2S 1 R 0 R 2 +8 m 3. Enter the table on the right with argument a and obtain the Moon s Dec., by mental interpolation, to 0.1º. 4. Enter the table on p.19 with this Dec. and the required latitude to obtain Δh. 5. Moonrise for required latitude = R Δh. Moonset for required latitude = S Δh. The accuracy of the times so derived is ±3 m. The times thus found are for longitude 0º. For other longitudes it is necessary to calculate the times of the previous (following) similar phenomenon at the standard latitude if the observer is east (west) of Greenwich and then interpolate them to the observer s longitude. These calculations are most conveniently carried out using a spreadsheet or suitable applet. Observers are referred to the BAA's Computing Section webpage for support in doing these calculations: N 52 S 35 a Dec. a h m h m same opp sign } Dec{ sign as a to a BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar 29

32 MOONRISE AND MOONSET LATITUDE N 52º January February March April May June Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Day h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m 1 03:10 13:22 05:24 13:42 04:13 12:26 04:40 14:17 03:49 15:22 03:11 17: :21 13:49 06:16 14:31 04:59 13:20 05:03 15:22 04:07 16:30 03:36 19: :29 14:21 07:00 15:27 05:37 14:20 05:24 16:29 04:26 17:40 04:06 20: :32 14:59 07:36 16:28 06:09 15:23 05:43 17:36 04:46 18:51 04:46 21: :29 15:44 08:05 17:31 06:35 16:27 06:02 18:44 05:08 20:05 05:36 22: :19 16:37 08:31 18:36 06:58 17:33 06:21 19:54 05:35 21:18 06:38 23: :00 17:35 08:52 19:42 07:18 18:39 06:42 21:05 06:09 22:29 07:50 23: :34 18:37 09:12 20:48 07:37 19:46 07:05 22:17 06:51 23:33 09:08 : 9 10:02 19:41 09:31 21:54 07:56 20:54 07:34 23:28 07:45 : 10:29 00: :26 20:46 09:50 23:02 08:15 22:03 08:10 : 08:49 00:29 11:50 00: :47 21:51 10:10 : 08:37 23:13 08:55 00:36 10:02 01:14 13:09 01: :06 22:57 10:33 00:12 09:02 : 09:52 01:37 11:21 01:51 14:27 01: :25 : 11:01 01:23 09:33 00:24 10:59 02:29 12:41 02:20 15:45 01: :45 00:05 11:35 02:36 10:12 01:35 12:15 03:12 14:02 02:45 17:02 02: :07 01:15 12:19 03:47 11:01 02:41 13:36 03:47 15:22 03:08 18:17 02: :32 02:27 13:16 04:54 12:03 03:41 14:59 04:15 16:42 03:30 19:27 03: :03 03:42 14:25 05:52 13:16 04:31 16:22 04:41 18:02 03:52 20:31 : 18 13:44 04:57 15:45 06:40 14:37 05:13 17:44 05:04 19:20 : 21:26 04: :35 06:09 17:10 : 16:01 05:46 19:06 : 20:34 04:44 22:11 05: :40 07:14 18:36 07:50 17:27 : 20:26 05:50 21:43 05:18 22:47 06: :57 : 20:01 08:17 18:51 06:40 21:42 06:17 22:43 05:59 23:16 07: :20 08:51 21:23 08:41 20:14 07:03 22:54 06:48 23:33 06:47 23:40 08: :45 09:25 22:42 09:05 21:34 07:27 23:58 07:25 03:37 : 04:38 : 24 21:08 09:54 23:58 09:28 22:51 07:52 04:04 : 00:14 08:44 00:00 10: :28 10:18 05:01 : 03:40 : 00:53 09:00 00:46 09:48 00:19 11: :45 10:41 01:10 10:24 00:04 08:54 01:38 09:57 01:13 10:53 00:36 13: :30 : 02:18 10:58 01:10 09:33 02:14 10:59 01:35 11:59 00:54 14: :00 11:27 03:19 11:39 02:08 10:19 02:44 12:03 01:55 13:06 01:14 15: :12 11:53 02:58 11:12 03:09 13:09 02:13 14:13 01:36 16: :21 12:23 03:39 12:10 03:30 14:15 02:31 15:22 02:04 17: :26 12:59 04:12 13:12 02:50 16:33 30 Lunar BAA Handbook 2019

33 MOONRISE AND MOONSET LATITUDE N 52º July August September October November December Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m 02:38 19:05 04:24 20:24 07:35 20:10 09:18 19:20 11:51 19:46 12:01 20:32 03:24 20:11 05:48 20:57 09:00 20:33 10:38 19:50 12:44 20:42 12:30 21:39 04:22 21:07 07:13 21:23 10:22 20:56 11:54 20:25 13:27 21:44 12:54 22:47 05:32 21:52 08:38 21:47 11:42 21:22 13:02 21:07 14:01 22:49 13:14 23:54 06:51 22:28 10:01 22:09 12:57 21:53 14:01 21:58 14:27 23:56 13:32 : 08:13 22:57 11:22 22:31 14:08 22:30 14:48 22:55 14:49 : 13:48 01:00 09:36 23:21 12:40 22:54 15:11 23:14 15:27 23:57 15:08 01:02 14:04 02:07 10:57 23:43 13:56 23:21 16:04 : 15:57 : 15:25 02:09 14:22 03:15 12:16 : 15:08 23:53 16:48 00:06 16:22 01:02 15:42 03:15 14:42 04:24 13:34 00:04 16:15 : 17:23 01:04 16:43 02:09 15:59 04:23 15:05 05:36 14:51 00:26 17:15 00:32 17:52 02:07 17:01 03:15 16:17 05:32 15:35 06:49 16:05 00:50 18:05 01:18 18:16 03:13 17:18 04:21 16:38 : 16:14 : 17:16 01:18 18:47 02:12 18:36 04:19 17:35 05:28 17:04 07:53 17:04 09:07 18:22 01:52 19:20 03:12 18:54 : 17:52 : 17:37 09:05 18:06 10:04 19:19 02:33 19:47 : 19:11 06:31 18:12 07:44 18:19 10:13 19:19 10:51 20:07 : 20:10 05:22 19:28 07:37 18:35 08:54 19:13 11:15 20:37 11:28 20:47 04:19 20:30 06:28 19:47 08:44 19:02 10:04 20:17 12:08 21:58 11:58 21:18 05:21 20:48 07:34 20:07 09:52 19:38 11:14 21:30 12:50 23:20 12:22 21:44 06:26 21:05 08:39 20:31 11:02 20:23 12:19 22:49 13:24 06:10 : 22:05 07:32 21:22 09:46 21:01 12:12 21:19 13:18 06:29 : 00:40 13:03 22:24 08:38 21:41 10:53 21:40 13:20 22:27 14:07 00:11 14:15 02:01 13:24 22:42 09:44 22:03 12:02 22:30 14:25 23:44 14:47 01:33 14:36 03:21 13:46 22:59 10:50 22:30 13:12 23:32 15:22 07:40 : 02:55 14:57 04:41 14:12 23:17 11:57 23:04 14:23 07:55 : 01:06 15:47 04:18 15:19 06:00 14:43 23:38 13:05 23:48 15:32 00:46 16:48 02:30 16:10 05:41 15:43 07:14 15:23 06:50 : 08:10 : 02:08 17:19 03:56 16:32 07:03 16:12 08:19 16:11 00:02 15:29 00:45 17:31 03:34 17:46 05:21 16:54 08:21 16:48 09:14 17:09 00:33 16:42 01:55 18:16 05:01 18:09 06:46 17:18 09:33 17:32 09:57 18:14 01:12 17:51 03:15 18:52 06:28 18:32 08:10 17:45 10:34 18:25 10:31 19:22 02:03 18:53 04:41 19:22 07:54 18:55 09:31 18:18 11:23 19:26 10:57 20:30 03:07 19:44 06:09 19:47 10:45 18:57 11:19 21:38 BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar 31

34 MOONRISE AND MOONSET LATITUDE S 35º January February March April May June Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Day h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m 1 01:37 15:11 02:17 16:52 01:01 15:38 02:26 16:17 03:03 15:49 04:42 15: :13 16:11 03:05 17:40 01:51 16:23 03:21 16:48 03:59 16:19 05:45 16: :51 17:08 03:56 18:25 02:44 17:04 04:17 17:19 04:57 16:49 06:49 17: :34 18:04 04:49 19:04 03:38 17:41 05:12 17:48 05:56 17:21 07:53 18: :20 18:56 05:44 19:40 04:33 18:15 06:09 18:17 06:56 17:56 08:56 19: :09 19:43 06:39 20:13 05:28 18:46 07:06 18:48 07:59 18:37 09:54 20: :01 20:26 07:34 20:44 06:24 19:16 08:05 19:21 09:02 19:23 10:46 21: :55 21:05 08:29 21:13 07:19 19:46 09:05 19:58 10:04 20:15 11:31 22: :50 21:39 09:24 21:43 08:15 20:15 10:07 20:39 11:04 21:14 12:12 23: :45 22:11 10:20 22:13 09:12 20:46 11:09 21:26 11:58 22:17 12:49 : 11 09:40 22:42 11:18 22:45 10:11 21:20 12:09 22:20 12:47 23:24 13:23 00: :35 23:11 12:17 23:20 11:11 21:58 13:07 23:20 13:31 : 13:57 01: :31 23:41 13:19 : 12:12 22:41 14:00 : 14:10 00:32 14:31 02: :28 : 14:22 00:00 13:14 23:31 14:48 00:25 14:46 01:40 15:07 03: :28 00:12 15:26 00:47 14:15 : 15:31 01:34 15:21 02:47 15:45 04: :30 00:46 16:28 01:42 15:12 00:28 16:10 02:43 15:55 03:54 16:28 06: :35 01:25 17:26 02:44 16:05 01:32 16:47 03:53 16:31 05:00 17:15 : 18 16:41 02:10 18:18 03:53 16:53 02:40 17:23 05:02 17:09 : 18:06 07: :47 03:02 19:05 : 17:36 03:52 17:59 : 17:50 07:11 19:00 08: :48 04:03 19:47 06:19 18:16 : 18:36 07:18 18:35 08:14 19:55 09: :44 : 20:25 07:31 18:53 06:15 19:16 08:24 19:24 09:13 20:51 10: :33 06:22 21:01 08:40 19:29 07:25 19:59 09:28 20:16 10:07 21:47 10: :16 07:34 21:36 09:48 20:06 08:33 20:45 10:29 21:11 10:55 22:42 11: :55 08:45 22:12 10:53 20:44 09:39 21:35 11:25 22:06 11:38 23:37 11: :30 09:54 22:50 11:56 21:25 10:43 22:28 12:16 23:02 12:16 06:02 : 26 23:05 10:59 23:31 12:56 22:08 11:44 23:22 13:01 23:57 12:50 00:32 12: :39 12:03 06:40 : 22:55 12:41 06:34 : 06:42 : 01:29 13: :18 : 00:14 14:48 23:45 13:34 00:17 14:17 00:52 13:50 02:27 13: :14 14:05 07:04 : 01:12 14:50 01:48 14:19 03:28 14: :52 15:03 00:37 15:04 02:08 15:20 02:44 14:48 04:31 15: :33 15:59 01:31 15:42 03:42 15:19 32 Lunar BAA Handbook 2019

35 MOONRISE AND MOONSET LATITUDE S 35º July August September October November December Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m h : m 05:36 15:55 07:17 17:50 07:55 20:15 07:38 21:20 08:25 23:13 08:57 23:24 06:40 16:50 08:04 19:03 08:31 21:24 08:17 22:27 09:18 : 09:55 : 07:42 17:53 08:46 20:15 09:07 22:31 09:00 23:30 10:14 00:04 10:52 00:01 08:38 19:01 09:24 21:25 09:44 23:37 09:46 : 11:10 00:49 11:48 00:33 09:28 20:12 10:00 22:33 10:23 : 10:36 00:29 12:07 01:27 12:43 01:03 10:11 21:22 10:34 23:39 11:06 00:40 11:29 01:22 13:02 02:01 13:38 01:30 10:50 22:30 11:09 : 11:52 01:40 12:24 02:09 13:58 02:32 14:33 01:58 11:26 23:37 11:46 00:43 12:42 02:35 13:19 02:50 14:53 03:01 15:30 02:26 11:59 : 12:25 01:46 13:35 03:25 14:15 03:27 15:48 03:29 16:29 02:55 12:33 00:42 13:08 02:47 14:30 04:10 15:11 04:00 16:44 03:56 17:29 03:28 13:08 01:47 13:56 03:45 15:26 04:50 16:06 04:30 17:42 04:25 18:32 04:06 13:45 02:50 14:46 04:38 16:21 05:25 17:01 04:58 18:41 : 19:34 : 14:26 03:52 15:40 05:27 17:17 05:57 17:56 05:26 19:42 05:31 20:34 05:39 15:10 04:52 16:35 06:10 18:12 : 18:53 : 20:43 06:10 21:30 06:36 15:59 05:50 17:31 : 19:07 06:55 19:50 06:23 21:44 06:55 22:19 07:39 16:51 : 18:27 07:23 20:02 07:23 20:49 06:55 22:41 07:47 23:03 08:46 17:46 07:30 19:22 07:55 20:58 07:51 21:49 07:31 23:33 08:45 23:43 09:54 18:42 08:12 20:17 08:24 21:55 08:21 22:49 08:11 04:39 : 05:19 : 19:38 08:49 21:11 08:52 22:54 08:54 23:48 08:58 00:20 10:54 00:18 12:09 20:34 09:22 22:07 09:20 23:54 09:31 04:50 : 01:02 12:02 00:52 13:15 21:28 09:53 23:03 09:49 05:06 : 00:44 10:51 01:40 13:10 01:25 14:22 22:23 10:21 04:44 : 00:55 11:03 01:35 11:56 02:16 14:18 01:59 15:28 23:18 10:49 00:02 10:54 01:54 12:00 02:21 13:04 02:50 15:26 02:36 16:35 05:21 : 01:02 11:34 02:49 13:03 03:03 14:14 03:24 16:35 03:16 17:41 00:15 11:48 02:04 12:20 03:40 14:12 03:41 15:25 04:01 17:44 04:01 18:44 01:13 12:21 03:06 13:14 04:27 15:24 04:17 16:35 04:40 18:52 04:51 19:42 02:14 12:58 04:06 14:16 05:08 16:37 04:53 17:46 05:23 19:57 05:45 20:33 03:16 13:42 05:01 15:25 05:47 17:49 05:29 18:56 06:11 20:59 06:43 21:19 04:20 14:33 05:52 16:37 06:24 19:01 06:08 20:06 07:04 21:54 07:41 21:58 05:23 15:33 06:37 17:51 07:00 20:11 06:49 21:13 08:00 22:43 08:39 22:32 06:23 16:39 07:18 19:03 07:35 22:16 09:36 23:03 BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar 33

36 SUN S SELENOGRAPHIC COLONGITUDE Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º The Sun s selenographic colongitude is numerically equal to the selenographic longitude of the morning terminator, measured towards celestial East from the mean centre of the disk. Its value is approximately 270 at New Moon, 0 at First Quarter, 90 at Full Moon, and 180 at Last Quarter, and should be quoted on observations. The IAU longitude of the visible morning or evening terminator, as appropriate, can be obtained from the Sun s selenographic colongitude S as follows: Terminator S Longitude (IAU) New Moon to First Quarter Morning 270 to S East First Quarter to Full Moon Morning 0 to 90 S West Full Moon to Last Quarter Evening 90 to S East Last Quarter to New Moon Evening 180 to 270 S 180 West The hourly increase in S may be taken as Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2019

37 LUNAR OCCULTATIONS Except near new and full Moon, occultations of all stars down to magnitude 6.0, visible from the three pairs of stations whose co ordinates are tabulated below, are given in the following lists. ZC numbers refer to the Zodiacal Catalog (Astron. Papers of the American Ephemeris, X, part II, 1940). Long. (λ) Lat. (φ) Long. (λ) Lat. (φ) Greenwich Edinburgh Sydney Melbourne Dunedin Wellington Phase (Ph.). The first letter indicates whether disappearance (D) or reappearance (R). The second letter indicates whether the limb is dark (D) or bright (B). Column 7 gives the percentage Illumination of the Moon. CA is the cusp angle of the star, measured to the celestial east (anticlockwise) from the northernmost point of the Moon s limb. The time (T) of occultation at a place Δλ degrees east and Δφ degrees north of one of the stations for which a prediction is given may be found from: T = predicted time + a Δλ + b Δφ for which the coefficients a and b are given in the table in minutes. If the observer is west of the station, Δλ is taken as negative: similarly Δφ is negative if the observer is south of the station. For distances up to 500 km the error will not usually exceed 2 minutes. If the observer is at a place between two standard stations, for both of which the coefficients a and b are given, a better result can be obtained by using the values of a and b for a latitude midway between that of the observer and the nearer station. If φ 1, a 1, b 1 apply to this station, and (φ 2, a 2,b 2 to the more distant, and φ is the latitude of the observer, then Observers should note that these calculations are prone to error propagation and are best done using a spreadsheet or appropriate app. Suitable support is available on the BAA website. Notes: Predictions have been prepared using Occult 4 software. For stars not identified by a Greek letter, Flamsteed number or variable star designation, the HIP catalogue number is provided. When an occultation is given for one station of a pair, but not the other, the exclusion indicates the event is probably not observable at that station due to a miss, Moon elevation too low, sky too bright, or the event occurs on the bright limb. Observability is determined by a sophisticated algorithm in Occult 4. A more detailed list of occultations is printed monthly in the Lunar Section Circulars, available on the BAA web site. Alternatively, keen observers may like to download Occult to generate predictions for their site, from: (free for non commercial use). Further links can be found on the Internet Resources Page. BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar Occultations 35

38 LUNAR Lunar OCCULTATIONS Occultations GREENWICH EDINBURGH E 0.0º N 51.5º W 3.2º N 56.0º Date Star V Ph. Ill. of 2019 ZC Name Moon UT a b CA UT a b CA % h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º Jan Lib 5.8 RD N N θ Lib 4.1 DB S θ Lib 4.1 RD S S Aqr 5.8 DD N N μ Cet 4.3 DD N μ Cet 4.3 RB N χ 1 Ori 4.4 DD S S ζ Gem 4.0 DD S S χ Oph 4.2 RD N N ξ Oph 4.4 DD S ξ Oph 4.4 RD S Feb. 2 Saturn 0.6 RD N ψ 3 Aqr 5.0 DD N ξ 2 Cet 4.3 DD S N ξ 2 Cet 4.3 RB S S Tau 5.6 DD S S Tau 4.9 DD S Δ Cnc 3.9 DD S Vir 5.7 RD N Mar Tau 5.1 DD N Tau 5.1 RB N HIP DD S S HIP RD S Apr μ Cet 4.3 DD S S μ Cet 4.3 RB S S HIP DD N N Tau 5.1 DD N Gem 5.3 DD N Leo 5.7 DD N N Leo 5.3 DD N N May Psc 4.4 RD S δ 1 Tau 3.8 DD S N Tau 4.3 DD N Gem 5.3 DD N N HIP RD N Jun Gem 5.3 DD S S Leo 5.4 DD N Psc 4.6 RD N N Cet 4.8 RD S S ξ 2 Cet 4.3 DB S S ξ 2 Cet 4.3 RD S S δ 1 Tau 3.8 DB S N 36 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2019

39 LUNAR Lunar OCCULTATIONS Occultations GREENWICH EDINBURGH E 0.0º N 51.5º W 3.2º N 56.0º Date Star V Ph. Ill. of 2019 ZC Name Moon UT a b CA UT a b CA % h m m/ m/ h m m/ m/ Jun δ 1 Tau 3.8 RD S N Tau 4.8 RD S S Tau 4.3 DB N Tau 4.3 RD N N Jul Vir 5.7 DD S S HIP DD S N HIP DD N N Tau 5.1 RD S Aug HIP DD S δ 1 Tau 3.8 DB N N δ 1 Tau 3.8 RD S S Tau 4.8 DB S S Tau 4.8 RD S S Tau 4.3 DB N N Tau 4.3 RD N N δ Gem 3.5 DB N δ Gem 3.5 RD N Sep η Cap 4.9 DD N N Psc 4.6 RD S S Tau 5.1 RD S Tau 5.3 RD N Gem 5.3 RD S Oct ζ Tau 3.0 DB S S ζ Tau 3.0 RD S S η Cnc 5.3 RD N N Nov Sgr 5.5 DD S S TV Gem 5.9 RD N N η Gem 3.5 DB N η Gem 3.5 RD N μ Gem 2.9 DB N N μ Gem 2.9 RD S N 28 Jupiter 1.7 RB N Dec Psc 4.6 DD N N Psc 4.6 RB N N 5 18 HIP DD S S TV Gem 5.9 RD S S η Gem 3.5 DB N N η Gem 3.5 RD N N Gem 6.0 RD S S μ Cnc 5.3 RD S S ν Vir 4.0 RD S N BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar Occultations 37

40 LUNAR Lunar OCCULTATIONS Occultations SYDNEY MELBOURNE E 151.2º S 33.9º E 145.1º S 37.9º Date Star V Ph. Ill. of 2019 ZC Name Moon UT a b CA UT a b CA % h m m/ m/ h m m/ m/ Jan ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 DD S ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 RB S ν Psc 4.5 DD S S ν Psc 4.5 RB S S μ Gem 2.9 DD N N μ Gem 2.9 RB N N eta Cnc 5.3 RD S S ω Vir 5.2 RD N N FW Vir 5.7 RD N S Feb HIP RD N S ξ 2 Sgr 3.5 DB N N ξ 2 Sgr 3.5 RD S S ξ 1 Cet 4.4 DD N N ξ 1 Cet 4.4 RB N N HIP DD S S ξ Librae 5.5 RD N S Mar μ Gem 2.9 DD N N μ Gem 2.9 RB N N eta Cnc 5.3 DD S S ν Vir 4.0 DD N S FW Vir 5.7 RD N Sag 5.7 RD N S ο Sgr 3.8 DB S S ο Sgr 3.8 RD S S Apr Aqr 6.0 RD N eta Gem 3.5 DD N S ξ Lib 5.5 RD N Lib 5.5 RD S 25 Saturn 0.5 DB S S 25 Saturn 0.5 RD S S Cap 5.4 RD S S May Cet 6.0 RD N N FW Vir 5.7 DD S γ Lib 3.9 DD N N Sgr 5.5 RD N N ο Sgr 3.8 DB N ο Sgr 3.8 RD N N 22 Saturn 0.3 DB S S 23 Saturn 0.3 RD S γ Cap 3.7 RD N δ Cap 2.9 DB N N δ Cap 2.9 RD N N ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 RD S S ν Psc 4.5 DB N N ν Psc 4.5 RD N N Jun ω Vir 5.2 DD N Lib 5.5 DD S S γ Cap 3.7 RD S S Aqr 5.8 RD S 38 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2019

41 LUNAR Lunar OCCULTATIONS Occultations SYDNEY MELBOURNE E 151.2º S 33.9º E 145.1º S 37.9º Date Star V Ph. Ill. of 2019 ZC Name Moon UT a b CA UT a b CA % h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º Cet 5.6 RD N N ξ 1 Cet 4.4 DB N N ξ 1 Cet 4.4 RD N N Jul ξ Lib 5.5 DD N Cap 5.4 RD S S HIP RD N N ε Tau 3.5 DB N N ε Tau 3.5 RD S S Aug γ Lib 3.9 DD N S γ Lib 3.9 RB S Sag 5.5 DD N N 12 Saturn 0.2 DD S 12 Saturn 0.2 RB S γ Cap 3.7 DD N N γ Cap 3.7 RD S S δ Cap 2.9 DD N N δ Cap 2.9 RD S S Aqr 5.8 RD N ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 RD N ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 DB N ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 RD S S HIP RD S S Sep ο Sgr 3.8 DD N Aqr 5.8 DD S S Tau 4.9 RD N Oct γ Lib 3.9 DD N N γ Lib 3.9 RB N N eta Lib 5.4 DD N N eta Lib 5.4 RB N N χ Oph 4.2 DD S Oph 4.9 DD S S Oph 4.9 RB S Cap 5.4 DD N N Ari 5.2 RD N N Tau 5.0 RD S S Gem 5.8 RD S Vir 5.0 RD S ξ Oph 4.4 DD S Nov ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 DD N N ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 RB N N HIP RD N N ι Tau 4.6 RD S S HIP RD S ξ Vir 4.8 RD N Dec Aqr 5.8 DD N γ Cnc 4.7 DB S γ Cnc 4.7 RD S S ω Vir 5.2 RD S Lib 5.5 RD N N BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar Occultations 39

42 LUNAR Lunar OCCULTATIONS Occultations DUNEDIN WELLINGTON E 170.5º S 45.9º E 174.8º S 41.3º Date Star V Ph. Ill. of 2019 ZC Name Moon UT a b CA UT a b CA % h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º Jan ν Psc 4.5 DD S S μ Gem 2.9 DD N N μ Gem 2.9 RB N N η Cnc 5.3 RD S S ω Vir 5.2 RD N N Feb Cet 5.6 DD S S ξ 1 Cet 4.4 DD N N Sgr 5.3 RD N N Mar π Sgr 2.9 RD S N ε Tau 3.5 DD N ε Tau 3.5 RB N μ Gem 2.9 DD S N μ Gem 2.9 RB S S η Cnc 5.3 DD S S μ Sgr 3.8 DB N N μ Sgr 3.8 RD N N Sgr 5.7 RD N N ο Sgr 3.8 DB S ο Sgr 3.8 RD S Apr Aqr 6.0 RD N N Gem 6.0 DD S S μ Cnc 5.3 DD S S ξ Lib 5.5 RD N 25 Saturn 0.5 DB S S 25 Saturn 0.5 RD S N May Cet 6.0 DB S Cet 6.0 RD S FW Vir 5.7 DD S S γ Lib 3.9 DD N N Sgr 5.5 RD N N ο Sgr 3.8 DB N N ο Sgr 3.8 RD N N 22 Saturn 0.3 DB S γ Cap 3.7 DB S S γ Cap 3.7 RD S S δ Cap 2.9 DB N N δ Cap 2.9 RD S N ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 RD N N ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 DB S S ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 RD S S ν Psc 4.5 DB S S ν Psc 4.5 RD S S Jun Leo 5.4 DD S N ω Vir 5.2 DD N ξ Lib 5.5 DD S S Lib 5.9 DD N Lib 5.5 DD S S Cap 5.4 RD S N 40 Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2019

43 LUNAR OCCULTATIONS DUNEDIN WELLINGTON E 170.5º S 45.9º E 174.8º S 41.3º Date Star V Ph. Ill. of 2019 ZC Name Moon UT a b CA UT a b CA % h m m/º m/º º h m m/º m/º º Jun ξ 1 Cet 4.4 RD S N Jul ξ Lib 5.5 DD N N δ Cap 2.9 RD N N Tau 3.5 DB S Tau 3.5 RD S S Aug γ Lib 3.9 DD S S Sgr 5.5 DD N N γ Cap 3.7 DD N N γ Cap 3.7 RD S S δ Cap 2.9 DB N N δ Cap 2.9 RB S δ Cap 2.9 RD S Aqr 5.8 RD S N ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 DB N N ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 RD S N Sep Lib 5.5 DD S N Sgr 5.4 DD S S Psc 5.1 RD N N ε Tau 3.5 RD S Tau 4.9 RD S S Oct γ Lib 3.9 DD N γ Lib 3.9 RB N η Lib 5.4 DD S N χ Oph 4.2 DD S Cap 5.4 DD S S Tau 5.8 RD N Gem 4.3 RD N Cnc 6 RD S S η Leo 3.5 RD N Lib 5.5 DD N Nov ν 1 Sgr 4.9 DD S S ν 2 Sgr 5 DD S S 2 Saturn 0.6 DD N N 2 Saturn 0.6 RB N N ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 DD N N ψ 1 Aqr 4.2 RB N N ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 DD S S ψ 2 Aqr 4.4 RB S S ξ Ari 5.5 DD N N HIP RD S S ξ Vir 4.8 RD N Sgr 5.4 DD N N Dec Psc 5.1 DD N N HU Tau 5.9 DD N N ι Leo 3.9 RD N ξ Lib 5.5 RD N N BAA Handbook 2019 Lunar Occultations 41

44 GRAZING LUNAR Lunar Occultations OCCULTATIONS The map shows the tracks of stars to magnitude 8.0 which will graze the Moon s limb and where the Moon is less than 90 percent sunlit, has an altitude of more than 5. The track commences in the West, and the Time (UT) is near the centre of the region. Tracks marked on the map as `A indicate the star is at a low altitude. Tracks marked with a `B indicate the bright limb is close. Small or negative cusp angles indicate the graze occurs at the terminator. The track is terminated if the altitude (A) is low or when the sky (S) is bright. The Altitude (Alt) column is the approximate elevation of the Moon, as a guide to observability. Accuracy: Recording events to a UT accuracy of 0.2s or better are desirable. Observers using video or planetary webcams, with UT time stamps, are invited to contact the Lunar Section for assistance with light curve analysis and reporting of times. Visual Observers: Individuals and teams should continue to send timings to the Lunar Section. General circumstances for the events can be judged from personal planetarium software. More details of grazes may be computed using software for non commercial use from: Observers positioned on or very near the tracks may see the star disappear and reappear several times at the edge of features on the Moon s limb. Observations continue to be valuable in the study and refinement of the shape and motion of the Moon, and in the detection of double or multiple stars, particularly during grazes. Potential observers are encouraged to contact Tim Haymes at occultations@stargazer.me.uk for additional information. A brief notification of success or failure of the observing attempt would be appreciated. Key to the Map 2019 Star N or S Cusp name ZC * Time V Sunlit limit angle sp alt. MM DD h m % 1 SAO Jan S 5.2 A SAO Jan S 5.6 K ξ Oph 2498 Jan S 8.3 F Tau 636 Feb S 2.7 F SAO Feb S 10.7 B7 6 6 SAO Mar S 10.6 F SAO Apr S 0.9 K SAO May S 1.5 A SAO May N 0.5 G SAO Jun S 2.0 G δ Gem 1110 Aug N 10.4 F SAO Sep N 10.1 K SAO Oct N 4.3 F SAO Oct N 7.0 K SAO Oct N 5.9 A η Gem 946 Nov N 13.0 M SAO Nov N 7.6 A SAO Nov N 3.3 K0 11 * Numbers taken from the Robertson Zodiacal Catalog or the Extended Zodiacal Catalog d = double, m = multiple, u = unconfirmed. Precise times and cusp angles are dependent on location a negative number indicates a waning Moon sp star spectrum classification alt. is dependent on location and is provided as a guide 42 Grazing Lunar Occultations BAA Handbook 2019

45 GRAZING LUNAR Lunar Occultations OCCULTATIONS BAA Handbook 2019 Grazing Lunar Occultations 43

46 MARS Conjunction: Sep RA Dec. V Diam P Q Ph. D E D S L S h m ' " Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Mars BAA Handbook 2019

47 LONGITUDE OF THE CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF MARS Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h h m m m BAA Handbook 2019 Mars 45

48 ASTEROIDS ORBITAL ELEMENTS Observers with binoculars or small telescopes may find these data useful in locating some of the brighter asteroids. The data below, for asteroids brighter than magnitude 9.3 at opposition, have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center s Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at: Equinox of the elements Epoch of the elements J2000 JD , 2018 Mar TT No. Name a e i Node Peri. M au º º º º 2 Pallas Juno Vesta Hebe Metis Eunomia Melpomene Amphitrite Laetitia Eros Herculina WEBSITE More information on asteroids and dwarf planets can be found on the website of the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section at: 46 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

49 ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES The geocentric data below, for asteroids listed on p.46, have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at: Equinox of the elements Epoch of the elements J2000 JD , 2018 Mar TT 2 Pallas 2019 RA Dec. Δ r Elong. V h m s º ' " au au º Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Juno 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Apr BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 47

50 ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES 4 Vesta 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hebe 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Apr Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

51 ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES 9 Metis 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Eunomia 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 49

52 ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES 18 Melpomene 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au May Jun Jul Aug Sep Amphitrite 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

53 ASTEROID EPHEMERIDES 39 Laetitia 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Eros 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Herculina 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Apr May BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 51

54 ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS OCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY ASTEROIDS AND DWARF PLANETS Favourable events predicted by Edwin Goffin: Four predictions are highlighted below. These represent reasonably good opportunities for UK observers (see page 53 for corresponding Chart). Max Star Asteroid Asteroid Star Date UT ΔM Duration Magnitude Diameter hh:mm s km 90 Antiope* TYC Jan : Comacina TYC Jul : Davida** TYC Sep : Thomsen TYC Sep : * One moon {S/2000(90)1}, diameter 84 km, period 0.69 days, distance 171 km - The prediction is for the overall longer dimension of the binary system. ** Twilight Key for the table above: ΔM The change in V magnitude. Max Duration Duration of the occultation for an observer at the centre of the shadow path Star Magnitude Visual magnitude of the star Featured TNO: (Southern Hemisphere) Ixion occults UCAC on 2019 June 14:17 UT. The 800 km wide path will cross South Africa and S/SE Australia. UCAC is of reasonable brightness at Vmag 12.8 with total extinction during the occulted phase. Moonlight should not interfere and the maximum duration is expected to be about 32 seconds. Details here: Regional predictions Predictions for region 3 and overlapping areas chosen criteria: Star Mag 11.2 and brighter, duration >3s, magnitude drop >1.3 TNO Global predictions Named objects are listed for all regions. Major planets All major planet events are listed. Prediction uncertainties Errors are reduced now that the Gaia DR2 data is released. The main uncertainty is in the ephemeris of the object or where there is some undetected stellar multiplicity. Observer should continue to monitor outside the path to detect possible anomalies or satellites. Mobile observers could consider setting up in the track. Event duration The duration of an occultation depends on where the observer is positioned within the track. Negative and positive results are published on EURASTER.NET website : where there is a link to the BEST results. Recording and reporting an observation Observations should be timed with a UT accuracy of typically 0.1 to 0.3 sec and reported to the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section and the PLANOCCULT list server. Negative observations (no occultation) should also be reported. European observers are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the PLANOCCULT mailing list for last-minute updates and observation reports : - visit : and follow the instructions to use the list server. For more up-to-date information on predictions, finder charts and occultation news, consult the following home pages : - International Occultation Timing Association - Bruno Sicardy - Database maintained by Mike Kretlow - Steve Preston 52 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

55 ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS TNO HIGHLIGHT Ixion & UCAC jun h 38.4 m U.T. Planet: a = 39.71, e = 0.24 Star: Source cat. UCAC5 V. mag. = Diam. = km = 0.03" α = 17 h 48 m s δ = 29 18'56.46" µ = 3.23"/h π = 0.23" Ref. = EG2017 Vmag = Bmag = m = 6.8 Max. dur. = 31.9s Sun : 172 Moon : 38, 92% 17h34m00s 17h43m00s; int. 1m BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 53

56 ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS REGIONAL PREDICTIONS Minor Planet Diam Max. Mag. Date Time No. Name (IRAS) Star ID V Dur. drop RoV 2019 h m " sec. Jan Penthesilea 0.05 PPMX , Caprera 0.08 TYC , Antiope 0.07 TYC , Phocaea 0.05 TYC ,5, Hestia 0.09 TYC Denise 0.07 TYC Feb Adeona 0.08 TYC Huberta 0.04 HIP , Dulcinea 0.04 UCAC Celuta 0.04 TYC , Shura 0.04 TYC , Chimaera 0.05 TYC ,3 Mar Hecuba 0.04 TYC Hohensteina 0.07 UCAC , Gerlinde 0.06 TYC Apr Sappho 0.05 TYC Scylla 0.04 TYC ,3 May Palisana 0.09 TYC , Henrietta 0.09 TYC Jun Hermione 0.10 UCAC , Venetia 0.04 UCAC , Elektra 0.12 TYC Jul Comacina 0.09 TYC Aurora 0.10 TYC Barbara 0.04 UCAC Aug Vinifera 0.06 TYC Fringilla 0.04 TYC Vinifera 0.06 UCAC Christa 0.06 UCAC , Hektor 0.04 TYC ,3 Sep Parysatis 0.04 HIP Aegina 0.06 TYC Dynamene 0.07 UCAC Amalthea 0.04 TYC Oct Fini 0.05 TYC , Lachesis 0.07 TYC Aurelia 0.05 TYC Praxedis 0.06 UCAC Happelia 0.05 HIP , Feodosia 0.04 TYC Vibilia 0.12 TYC , Princetonia 0.06 TYC Sylvia 0.11 TYC ,5 Nov Eleutheria 0.05 UCAC , Hansa 0.04 TYC Edna 0.07 TYC ,5,7 Dec Bertha 0.08 TYC , Abastumani 0.06 UCAC , Fraternitas 0.04 TYC Sylvia 0.13 TYC ,3, Svea 0.07 UCAC , Aemilia 0.05 TYC Eugenisis 0.04 TYC Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

57 ASTEROID OCCULTATIONS TNO GLOBAL PREDICTIONS Minor Planet Diam Max. Mag. Date Time No. Name (IRAS) Star ID V Dur. drop RoV 2019 h m " sec. Jan Hidalgo 0.03 UCAC ,5 Mar Makemake 0.12 UCAC ,2 Mar Hylonome 0.01 UCAC May Huya 0.02 UCAC Jun Ixion 0.03 UCAC ,8 Jul Huya 0.02 UCAC Jul Hylonome 0.01 UCAC Jul Pluto 0.10 UCAC Jul Crantor 0.01 UCAC Aug Chariklo 0.02 UCAC ,4 Sep Pluto 0.10 UCAC ,7 Sep Borasisi 0.01 UCAC Dec Thereus 0.01 UCAC MAJOR PLANET PREDICTIONS Planet Max. Date Time Name Diam Star ID V Dur. RoV 2019 h m " sec. Feb Mars 5.3 TYC Mar Mars 5.1 UCAC Apr Mars 4.5 HIP Jun Jupiter 45.9 HIP ,6,7,8 Oct Jupiter 34.1 HIP ,8 Oct Neptune 2.3 UCAC ,8 Using the tables In the table of predictions : Time = UT of closest geocentric approach. Region of Visibility codes (RoV): 1 = North and Central America 2 = South America 3 = Europe, N. Africa and the Middle East 4 = South Africa 5 = Russia 6 = Pakistan, India, and SE Asia 7 = Japan, China and Taiwan 8 = Australia and New Zealand Where diameters are not listed in the IRAS catalogue, an assumed value of A, the geometric albedo, has been used to calculate a value for the asteroid diameter. Predictions computed by Edwin Goffin. Track details are available from the Flemish Astronomical Association ftp site: BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 55

58 ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES LIGHTCURVE OPPORTUNITIES Based on an analysis of both numbered and unnumbered objects in the Minor Planet Center MPCORB database by Brian D. Warner. Asteroids are listed which at opposition reach magnitude 14.5 or brighter, and for which the rotation period is very uncertain or unknown. Where a 'U' code is given as '1' or 1+, the values given are based on fragmentary lightcurves and are likely to be incorrect. Period/amplitude data are taken from the list maintained by Brian D. Warner, Alan W. Harris of the Space Science Institute and Petr Pravec of the Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic, at: 56 Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

59 ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES Asteroid Opposition Amplitude Number Name Date V Δ Dec. U Period of Magnitude Variation m d au Code h 2162 Anhui Niels** Umtata Frieda Camelia Mehltretter** Bergholz Williwaw Sazava Alandreev Yokotatakao Botha Lobelia Pafuri > De Sitter Sejong Florya > Dibaj Inna Smilevskia Golson Fini HL1# * Wangshouguan SF6# * Madeline Pemba > Prieska Carusi Tololo Kayor * When brightest, **Low phase angle target, # Near-Earth asteroid BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 57

60 ASTEROIDS: FAVOURABLE OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES AT LOW PHASE ANGLE AND AT OPPOSITION Asteroids have been selected on the following criteria: V 14.5, Phase Angle 0.15 Asteroid Opposition Minimum Maximum Number Name Date Phase Angle V Dec. Period Lightcurve Amplitude m d h mag 638 Moira Jenny Bernardus Niels Rollandia Weringia Roberta Goldschmidt Urda Virginia Devosa Rockefellia Adelinda Rosamunde Asia Ortrud Kunigunde Mehltretter Edith Aquilegia Budovicium Koronis Theodora Isergina Garumna Mashona Ida Hertha Photographica Skuld Pepita Nicole Birgit Indiana Coelestina Semele Bredichina Asteroids BAA Handbook 2019

61 NEO CLOSE APPROACHES TO EARTH Prepared from data on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Near Earth Object Program website at: This lists asteroids predicted to pass within 0.05 au (about 7.5 million km) of the Earth attaining magnitude 19.5 or brighter during 2019 (as of 2018 May 17). Especially favourable approaches are shown in bold. Newly-discovered objects may be added to the list available via the JPL NEO site, so do check this for recent updates. The Nominal Miss Distance is given in Lunar Distances (LD) and Astronomical Units (au). The apparent Elongation and Declination are geocentric. Ephemerides should be obtained near the time of observation from the MPC via its Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at: For your local ephemerides, choose a location or observatory near your site. Note that the positions of some objects may be subject to significant uncertainty. Object Close Nominal Relative Magnitude Date Elongation Declination Approach Miss Distance Velocity H (brightest) when when when Date* brightest brightest brightest LD** au km s AZ8 Jan Jan CW32 Jan Jan RV9 Feb Feb PV25 Feb Feb Feb Feb EG Mar Mar GE1 Apr Apr GW221 Apr Apr XO134 Apr Apr JP Apr Apr HS3 May May KT12 May May May May HP May May Jun Jun KV2 Jun Jun OF Jul Jul NO56 Jul Jul HM10 Jul Jul PK9 Jul Jul QQ23 Aug Aug Aug Aug PD1 Aug Aug CV83 Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep SL16 Sep Sep FF14 Sep Sep Oct Oct JD1 Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec XQ60 Dec Dec Dec Dec * Dates are quoted to the nearest day if uncertainty in close approach date is greater than ±0.2 day ** Lunar Distance: 1.0 LD = x 105 km or AU. BAA Handbook 2019 Asteroids 59

62 JUPITER Opposition: June 10 Conjunction: December Equat Polar RA Dec. Mag D Diam. Diam. E Δ h m º ' " " º au Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Description of the headings in the table can be found on page Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

63 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITER SYSTEM I Day Jan. º Feb. º Mar. º Apr. º May º Jun. º Jul. º Aug. º Sep. º Oct. º Nov. º Dec. º CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º º m º m m º System I applies to all objects situated on or between the north component of the South Equatorial Belt and the south component of the North Equatorial Belt. BAA Handbook 2019 Jupiter 61

64 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITER SYSTEM II Day Jan. º Feb. º Mar. º Apr. º May º Jun. º Jul. º Aug. º Sep. º Oct. º Nov. º Dec. º CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º System II applies to all objects situated north of the south component of the North Equatorial Belt or south of the north component of the South Equatorial Belt. 62 Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

65 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITER SYSTEM III (2009) Day Jan. º Feb. º Mar. º Apr. º May º Jun. º Jul. º Aug. º Sep. º Oct. º Nov. º Dec. º CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º System III applies to the origin of radio emissions from the planet. See page 64 for a description. BAA Handbook 2019 Jupiter 63

66 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF JUPITER SYSTEM III DEFINITION Radio radiation from Jupiter at around 20MHz was discovered in It varies with the rotation of the planet and this is known as "System III". It is of interest because it indicates rotation beneath the cloud cover. Radio radiation emanates from the magnetosphere of Jupiter, and the rotation is due to the fact that the magnetic poles are not situated exactly at the poles of rotation. (The position of the satellite Io and the D E value are also significant for predicting "radio storms" from Jupiter.) In 1976 the IAU adopted a rotation for System III of degrees per day. More recent work suggested an improvement to , adopted in 2000 and used in recent BAA Handbooks. However subsequent analysis of data from Galileo gives a different value, consistent with and its implied accuracy but not with The IAU provisionally recommends that be used. SATELLITES OF JUPITER The satellites move from east to west across the face of the planet, and from west to east behind it. After conjunction with the Sun and before opposition, the shadow of Jupiter falls to the west, eclipse precedes occultation, and shadow transit precedes transit. After opposition, the order of phenomena is reversed, occultation preceding eclipse and transit preceding shadow transit. Both phases of eclipse (EcD and EcR) and of occultation (OcD and OcR) of satellites III and IV may be seen if not too near opposition. Satellite I is much closer to the planet, and eclipse and occultation merge into one, OcD being followed by EcR after opposition and before conjunction, while EcD is followed by OcR after conjunction and before opposition. Satellite II normally behaves in the same manner but on rare occasions the separate phenomena of II may be observed. This happens when the planet is near quadrature and is tilted at almost the maximum amount. On a few occasions all three of the inner satellites may be involved simultaneously in these phenomena. The motions of these three satellites are related in such a way that it is impossible for all three to undergo the same phenomenon at the same time. The Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides supplies event timings in Terrestrial Time (TT). These have been converted to Universal Time (UT), closely, by subtracting one minute (see tables on p.67 76), since ΔT is just over one minute now. The times of phenomena are given for the centre of the satellite. The light of the satellite will therefore begin to fade before the times given here, and observation should commence several minutes before the predicted times. Charts are included for all 12 months of the year, even though Jupiter will be in conjunction with the Sun on October 26, and therefore not observable for a few weeks either side of this date. For all charts the satellites are labelled: I Io II Europa III Ganymede IV Callisto 64 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

67 SATELLITES OF JUPITER 2019 CONFIGURATION OF SATELLITES I IV January February March BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 65

68 SATELLITES OF JUPITER 2019 CONFIGURATION OF SATELLITES I IV April May June 66 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

69 SATELLITES OF JUPITER 2019 CONFIGURATION OF SATELLITES I IV July August September BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 67

70 SATELLITES OF JUPITER 2019 CONFIGURATION OF SATELLITES I IV October November December 68 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

71 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS The times are for mid phenomena, i.e. for eclipses, the planet s shadow bisecting the satellite; for other events, Jupiter s limb bisecting the satellite or the satellite shadow. Abbreviations: January OcD and OcR EcD and EcR TrI and TrE ShI and ShE occultation disappearance and reappearance eclipse disappearance and reappearance transit ingress and egress shadow transit ingress and egress January Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 1 I /2 III /3 I II I I /8 II I III I II I I II I III I II I I II I III I II /26 I I II I III I Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 2 I II I III I II I I II /11 I I III II I I II /18 I I /20 III II I I /24 II I I III II I I II BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 69

72 February ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS February Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 1 II I I II I /7 III I /9 II I /11 I II I /14 III I II I /18 I II I III I II I I II I III I Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 1 I / 3 I III II I I II I /10 I III II I I II I I III /18 II I I II I I III /25 II /26 I I II March March Occultations and Eclipses Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 2 II I I I I / 4 III II II /6 I / 5 I III I I II II I I I I III Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

73 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS March cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 12/13 II /13 I III I II I I II I /22 III I II I I II I /29 I /29 III I II March cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 11 II I I II I I III II I /21 I II I I III II I I /29 II I I April Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 1 I I II /5 I III I II I I II I III I /14 II I April Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 1 II III I I / 5 II I I II III I I II /13 I I II /16 III BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 71

74 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS April cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 17 I II I III /21 I /21 II I I II I III /28 I II I April cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 16 I I II I I II /23 III I I II I I /30 II III I May Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 1 I II I III I II I I II I /11 III I II /14 I I /16 II I III I II /21 I May Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 2 I II I / 6 I / 7 II III I I II I I II III I I II I I II III I Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

75 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS May cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 22 I /23 II I III I II I I II I May cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 23 I II I I II III /29 I I II June Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. EcD EcR OcD OcR 1 III I II I I II I III I II June Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. ShI ShE TrI TrE 1 I I II / 5 III I I / 8 II I I Jupiter in Opposition to the Sun: 2019 June 10 d 15 h BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 73

76 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS June cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 11 I /13 I II I III I II I I II I /23 III I /24 II I I II /29 I /30 III I June cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 11 II I III I II I I II I III /21 I II I I II I III I II I July Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 1 II I I II /6 I III I II I I II I III I II July Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 I II I III I II I I /10 II I III I II /14 I I Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

77 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS July cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 16 I I II I III /22 I II I I /26 II I III /29 I II I July cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 16/17 II I /18 III I II I I II I /25 III I II I I II I August Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR August Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 I /2 II I /5 III I II I I II I /12 III I II /14 I I II I III I III I II I / 6 I II I III I /11 II I /13 I II I III I /18 II I I BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 75

78 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS August cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 19 II /21 I I II I III I /27 II I I II I August cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 21 II I III I II I I II /29 I /30 III I September September Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 2 I III /3 II I /6 I II I I III II I /13 I II I I /17 III II I I II I I /24 III II Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 II I I II I / 6 III I II I I /12 II I III I II I I /19 II I III /21 I II I I Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

79 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS September cont'd Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 25 I I /28 II /29 I I October September cont'd Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 26 II I III I II I October Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 III I II II I I I III /5 II I /6 I II I / 7 I III I II II I I I /12 III II I I /14 II I /14 I III I II II I I I /19 III II I I /21 II /22 I I III I II II I I I III II I I II /29 I I /30 III /30 I /30 II II I I BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Jupiter 77

80 ECLIPSES, OCCULTATIONS AND TRANSITS November Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 1 I II I I /6 III /6 II I I IV II I I II III /14 I I II I I II III I I II I IV I II III I I /1 II November Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 IV III I II I / 6 I II I III I I II I I /15 II I III IV I II I /22 I /22 II I /24 III I II I /29 I II I December Occultations and Eclipses Date Sat. OcD OcR EcD EcR 1 I December Transits and Shadow Transits Date Sat. TrI TrE ShI ShE 1 III Jupiter in conjunction with the Sun: 2019 December 27 d 18 h 78 Satellites of Jupiter BAA Handbook 2019

81 SATURN Opposition: July 9 Conjunction: January Rings RA Dec. Mag Equat Polar Major Minor Diam. Diam. Axis Axis D E Δ h m º ' " " " " º au Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Description of the headings in the table can be found on page 22. BAA Handbook 2019 Saturn 79

82 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF SATURN SYSTEM I Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º System I applies to all objects situated on or between the south component of the North Equatorial Belt and the north component of the South Equatorial Belt. 80 Saturn BAA Handbook 2019

83 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF SATURN SYSTEM II Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º System II applies to all objects situated north of the south component of the North Equatorial Belt or south of the north component of the South Equatorial Belt. However System III is used more often for these regions. BAA Handbook 2019 Saturn 81

84 LONGITUDE OF CENTRAL MERIDIAN OF SATURN SYSTEM III Day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. º º º º º º º º º º º º CHANGE OF LONGITUDE IN INTERVALS OF MEAN TIME h º h º m º m º m º System III also applies to all objects situated north of the south component of the North Equatorial Belt or south of the north component of the South Equatorial Belt. This longitude system is based upon the rotation period of the planet s magnetic field as defined by the International Astronomical Union. 82 Saturn BAA Handbook 2019

85 SATELLITES OF SATURN MIMAS, ENCELADUS AND TETHYS Mimas Enceladus Tethys Each fourth eastern elongation Each third eastern elongation Each second eastern elongation d h d h d h d h d h d h Jan Jul Feb Aug Mar Sep Apr Oct May Nov Jun Dec Jul Jan Jul Aug Feb Sep Mar Apr Oct May Nov Jun Dec Jul Jan Jul Aug Feb Mar Sep Apr Oct May Nov Jun Dec Jul Note: For intervening eastern elongations add: Mimas 0 d 22.6 h or 1 d 21.2 h or 2 d 19.9 h Enceladus 1 d 08.9 h or 2 d 17.8 h Tethys 1 d 21.3 h BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Saturn 83

86 Dione Each second eastern elongation SATELLITES OF SATURN DIONE AND RHEA Rhea Each second eastern elongation d h d h d h d h d h d h May Sep Jan May Sep Feb Jun Oct Jun Oct Mar Feb Jul Jul Nov Mar Nov Dec Apr Apr Aug Aug Sep Dec May Note: For an intervening eastern elongation add: Sep Dione 2 d 17.7 h Rhea 4 d 12.4 h TITAN AND HYPERION Titan Hyperion E. Elong. Inf. Conj n W. Elong. Sup. Conj n E.Elong. W Elong. d h d h d h d h d h d h Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr May May Apr Jun May May May Jun May Jul Jul Jun Jun Jun Jun Aug Aug Jul Jul Jul Jul Sep Sep Oct Aug Aug Aug Aug Oct Nov Nov Sep Sep Sep Sep Dec Dec Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec Dec Position-angle and angular-distances can be obtained from JPL s Horizons web page at: (see page 114) 84 Satellites of Saturn BAA Handbook 2019

87 TITAN Saturn is not in conjunction with Sun during BAA Handbook 2019 Satellites of Saturn 85

88 IAPETUS Iapetus shows variations in brightness, and is always brighter at western elongation than at eastern. The diagrams show the apparent path of Iapetus relative to Saturn, the units being in seconds of arc. Conjunction of Saturn is indicated by the faint portion of the orbit path from Jan.1 to Feb.2 and from Dec.15 to Dec.31. E. Elong. Inf. Conj n. W. Elong. Sup. Conj n. d h d h d h d h Mar Apr Apr May Jun Jun Jul Aug Aug Sep Oct Oct Nov Dec Dec Satellites of Saturn BAA Handbook 2019

89 URANUS Uranus is at opposition on October 28, magnitude 5.7, diameter 3.7" BAA Handbook 2019 Uranus 87

90 NEPTUNE Neptune is at opposition on September 10, magnitude 7.8, diameter 2.4" 88 Neptune BAA Handbook 2019

91 Trans Neptunian & Scattered Disk Objects The list comprises the date, magnitude, geocentric position and apparent motion when at opposition in 2019, of the 24 most intrinsically bright objects known as of 2018 June 11. The sizes of the smaller objects listed are often speculative given that they are based on an estimated albedo only. If you wish to observe an object then go to the website of the Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at: Here you enter the date and the designation of the object(s) you wish to observe. Given the extreme distance of these objects, the geocentric position will be sufficiently accurate for any location on the Earth. Object Opposition Approx. Motion Number/Name Prov ID Date V H Diam. Δ RA Dec. Speed P km au h m º ' "/min º (136199) Eris 2003 UB313 Oct (134340) Pluto Jul (136472) Makemake 2005 FY9 Mar (136108) Haumea 2003 EL61 Apr * (90377) Sedna 2003 VB12 Nov (225088) 2007 OR10 Aug (90482) Orcus 2004 DW Mar (50000) Quaoar 2002 LM60 Jun FY27 Mar (174567) Varda 2003 MW12 Jun (55565) 2002 AW197 Feb (229762) 2007 UK126 Dec (55636) 2002 TX300 Oct UZ224 Nov (202421) 2005 UQ513 Oct (303775) 2005 QU182 Oct (307261) 2002 MS4 Jul (208996) 2003 AZ84 Jan (28978) Ixion 2001 KX76 Jun (55637) 2002 UX25 Nov (20000) Varuna 2000 WR106 Jan EZ51 May RR245 Oct (145452) 2005 RN43 Sep *Haumea is asymmetric in shape being roughly 1940km x 1530km x 993km in size. BAA Handbook 2019 Trans-Neptunian Objects 89

92 DWARF PLANETS (134340) Pluto Pluto is at opposition, in Sagittarius, on July 14 at magnitude Its brightness varies little during the year, ranging in visual magnitude from 14.2 to Charts prepared using GUIDE 8.0. Stars down to magnitude 12.0 are shown. 90 Dwarf Planets BAA Handbook 2019

93 DWARF PLANETS (134340) Pluto Detailed charts around the time of opposition. Jun. 14 to Jul. 14 Jul. 14 to Aug. 14 The charts show stars down to magnitude 14. BAA Handbook 2019 Dwarf Planets 91

94 DWARF PLANETS DWARF PLANETS ORBITAL ELEMENTS The geocentric data below have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at: Equinox J2000, Epoch of the elements, JD , 2018 Mar TT No. Name a e i Node Peri. M au 1 Ceres Pluto Haumea Eris Makemake More information on asteroids and dwarf planets can be found on the website of the Asteroids and Remote Planets Section at: EPHEMERIDES The data below have been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at: Equinox J2000, Epoch of the elements, JD , 2018 Mar TT 1 Ceres 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Dwarf Planets BAA Handbook 2019

95 DWARF PLANETS Pluto 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Haumea 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Eris 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Makemake 2019 RA Dec. r Elong. V h m s ' " au au Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun BAA Handbook 2019 Dwarf Planets 93

96 COMETS The date of perihelion (T), period (P), perihelion distance (q) and the magnitude parameters H and G are given for each comet which comes to perihelion in 2019 [and which becomes brighter than 19th magnitude] and for other comets which are expected to be brighter than 14th magnitude during The table also gives the date that the comet is expected to be at its brightest, its declination, elongation and expected peak magnitude. The magnitude parameters are taken from determinations by the Comet Section (rows highlighted in red), or from the elements downloaded from the MPC. The predicted total magnitude is given by: m 1 = H G (log 10 r) + 5 (log 10 Δ) where Δ is the distance of the comet from Earth and r is its distance from the Sun, both in Astronomical Units. Note that comets which show bright magnitudes at very small elongations (e.g P/2008 Y12 (SOHO)) are unlikely to be observable. The table is derived from orbital elements downloaded from the Minor Planet Center (MPC) on 2018 June 22 and it is sorted in order of the date at which the comet reaches its brightest magnitude. A digital version containing more information is available from the Comet Section website at This website contains links to many other resources useful to the comet observer, in particular the Comet Section observing guide which is available for download as a PDF. There are no particularly bright comets predicted for 2019 but charts are provided for three potentially interesting objects: 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann is a comet in a nearly circular orbit with a period of 14.8 years. In 2019 it comes to opposition on 2019 October 9 and it is now north of the celestial equator which makes it easier to observe from northern latitudes. It spends most of the time at around 16th magnitude but has frequent outbursts. It should be kept under observation as regularly as possible. Analysis by Richard Miles (Miles, R., Icarus 272, (2016)) has shown that brighter outbursts occur at three zones in the rotation of the comet s nucleus corresponding to the following ranges of rotational phase: , and although seasonal activity in 2019 is expected to be below average. The rotation phase at Julian Date T is defined as (T )/ The comet s elongation is less than 30 between February and April. Rotation Number Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Start End Start End Start End Jan. 4 Jan. 9 Jan. 21 Feb Apr. 29 May 3 May 16 May Jun. 11 Jun. 18 Jun. 26 Jun. 30 Jul. 13 Jul Aug. 8 Aug. 15 Aug. 23 Aug. 27 Sep. 9 Sep Oct. 4 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 23 Nov. 6 Nov Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 16 Dec P/Blanpain was originally discovered in 1819 as a 8th magnitude object, but it was then lost until its recovery as a faint asteroidal object by the Catalina survey in It is likely that it was in outburst at the time of its original discovery and it is an intrinsically faint object that shows little activity. Its best returns occur if it reaches perihelion in late December, as it does in 2019, however its peak magnitude is extremely uncertain and depends on the level of cometary activity. It is worth keeping under observation in the latter part of 2019 in case anything unusual happens. C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) was discovered as a 20th magnitude object on 2017 October 2 and it comes to perihelion in 2020 May when it may reach 8th magnitude. It spends 2019 gradually moving northwards starting the year at around 16th magnitude and ending at around Comets BAA Handbook 2019

97 COMETS Name T q P H G Date of Dec. Elong. Peak peak at peak Magnitude yyyy- mm- dd au years dd C/2016 N6 (PANSTARRS) Jan C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS) P/Johnson P/Giacobini Zinner P/Swift Gehrels P/Stephan Oterma P/Wirtanen P/2007 V1 (Larson) P/Spahr P/Mueller P/Skiff P/1996 R2 (Lagerkvist) P/Hill P/2011 W2 (Rinner) C/2018 A3 (ATLAS) P/Schwassmann Wach C/2016 X1 (Lemmon) P/LINEAR P/Tsuchinshan C/2010 U3 (Boattini) P/West Hartley Feb P/LINEAR NEAT P/Gehrels Mar P/Mueller P/2014 C1 (TOTAS) P/Larsen Apr C/2018 A6 (Gibbs) P/2005 GF8 (LONEOS) May C/2017 M4 (ATLAS) P/LINEAR P/Garradd Jun P/LINEAR Jul P/2012 K3 (Gibbs) P/2006 H1 (McNaught) C/2017 B3 (LINEAR) P/NEAT P/LINEAR Aug P/Hergenrother P/SOHO P/1999 R1 (SOHO) P/2007 T4 (Gibbs) Sep P/2008 Y1 (Boattini) P/McNaught P/Klemola P/2014 U2 (Kowalski) Oct P/Schwassmann Wach P/2008 Y12 (SOHO) P/Larsen P/Larson P/2010 U2 (Hill) Nov P/W.Kohoutek Ikemura P/LINEAR Dec P/Wiseman Skiff P/Shoemaker P/Blanpain C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) P/NEAT BAA Handbook 2019 Comets 95

98 COMETS 29P/SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN Pegasus Aug 9 Aug 29 Sep 18 Jul 20 Oct 8 Jun 30 Oct 28 Jun 10 Nov 17 Dec 7 0:00 UT Pisces May 21 May 1 Apr 11 Mar 22 Mar 2 Feb 10 Jan Jan 1 0:00 UT 1h 20m 0h 40m 0h 00m 23h 20m 22h 40m 96 Comets BAA Handbook 2019

99 COMETS 289P/BLANPAIN +30 Jan 5 0:00 UT +20 Dec 31 Pegasus +10 Pisces Dec Dec 21 Dec Dec 11 Aquarius Dec 6 Dec h 40m 0h 00m 23h 20m 22h 40m Nov 26 Nov 21 Nov 16 Nov 11 Nov 6 Nov 1 0:00 UT BAA Handbook 2019 Comets 97

100 COMETS C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) +50 Dec 28 Jan 7 0:00 UT Dec 18 Dec Nov 18 Nov 28 Perseus Nov 8 Oct Oct 19 Oct Sep 29 Sep 19 Sep 9 Aug 30 Aug 20 Aug 10 Jul 31 Jul 21 Jul 11 Jul 1 0:00 UT Taurus Aries h 00m 4h 00m 3h 00m 98 Comets BAA Handbook 2019

101 METEORS This meteor diary has been considerably modified from that published in previous years to more closely follow the list of regular major and more reliable minor showers in the List of Established Meteor Showers published by the IAU Meteor Data Center (MDC). The data for many showers are derived from the Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance project (CAMS) published by Jenniskens et al., 2016, Icarus, 266, 331. Due to space constraints in the Handbook this list does not include any minor showers where the peak Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is less than 5 meteors per hour. A number of the far southern hemisphere showers have also been excluded. Radiant data (UT, Alt.) and twilight data are for observers at the standard latitudes 52 N and 35 S, on the Greenwich meridian. Moonrise and moonset may be determined from the data on pages All times are in UT. Normal limits are the dates between which the shower rates are normally greater than 25 per cent of the sporadic rate for the period. Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is the probable hourly rate for a single experienced observer watching a clear sky with limiting magnitude 6.5 with the shower radiant at the zenith. To a first approximation, the observed hourly rate (OHR) is given by: OHR = ZHR sin α where α is the radiant elevation. Hence high rates cannot be expected if the radiant is low. Sky conditions can alter rates considerably and consequently observers should record the approximate naked eye limiting magnitude in the areas being watched during each observing session. The rates given are the maximum ones, and are only a guide in view of the inherent variability of showers. Twilight here is nautical, starting and ending when the Sun is 12 below the horizon. Radiant Daily Motion: Where available, these come from the IAU's List of Established Meteor Showers. Meteor radiants are not stationary because of the Earth s motion around the Sun. They move about one degree of ecliptic longitude per day. The daily motions should be applied to determine the radiant positions at dates other than maximum. The positions of several shower radiants at maximum, radiant daily motion and geocentric velocities (Vg) have been revised following analysis of recent video meteor data by Alex Pratt using the NEMETODE multi-station video meteor dataset.. Special Notes for 2019:Bright moonlight has an adverse effect on meteor observing, and for about five days to either side of Full Moon, lunar glare swamps all but the brighter meteors. Unfortunately, in 2019 observations of many of the major showers will be hampered by moonlight. The April Lyrids will be affected by a waning gibbous Moon in Scorpius, the Perseids by a near Full Moon in Sagittarius, the Draconids by a waxing gibbous Moon in Capricornus, the Orionids by a last quarter Moon in Gemini and Cancer, the Northern Taurids by a Full Moon in Taurus, the Leonids by a last quarter Moon in Cancer and watches for the Geminids will be seriously hindered by a virtually Full Moon in Gemini. Visual observers may, however, minimize the effects of moonlight by positioning themselves so the Moon is behind them and hidden behind a wall or other suitable obstruction. This is easiest when the Moon is fairly low in the southern sky as it will be for the Lyrids, Perseids and Draconids. There are, however, many excellent observing opportunities in The Quadrantids coincide with New Moon and peak in the early morning hours with the radiant well placed in the north-eastern sky. The complex of minor showers which peak in late July, now grouped together as part of the Antihelion Source, and the Alpha Capricornids, Southern Delta Aquarids and Piscis Austrinids are all well placed with respect to the Moon this year. The Southern Taurids which peak in early November should also be largely unaffected. The Ursids in late December are also very favourable in 2019 and are a shower badly in need of observation. This is also a year when many of the minor showers will be observable in dark skies offering a chance to monitor some of the less well studied streams, many of which have displayed unexpected outbursts in the past. Such showers include the June Bootids, Alpha Aurigids, October Camelopardalids and Alpha Monocerotids. It is hoped that observers will make a particular effort to take advantage of all observing opportunities throughout As always, observations away from the major shower maxima and of year-round sporadic activity are every bit as important to the work of the Association s Meteor Section as those obtained when high rates are anticipated. BAA Handbook 2019 Meteor Diary 99

102 Shower Maximum METEORS Radiant Position Maximum Daily Motion Name Normal Limits of Activity Quadrantids Dec. 28 -Jan. 12 λ (2000.0) Date ZHR at Max. R.A. Dec. R.A. Dec. Vg Local Time of Transit hh:mm ( ) km/s h Jan. 4 d 03 h :18 (229) April Lyrids Apr Apr. 22 d 16 h 15 18:07 (272) η Aquarids Apr. 19- May May :32 (338) Daytime Arietids May 22 Jul Jun. 8 30? 02:56 (044) June Bootids Jun Jul Jun. 28? 14:52 (223) +48?? α-capricornids Jul. 3 -Aug Jul :28 (307) Southern δ-aquarids Jul. 12 -Aug Jul :44 (341) Piscis Austrinids Jul. 15 -Aug Aug :32 (353) Perseids Jul. 17- Aug Aug. 13 d 07 h :11 (048) κ-cygnids Aug Aug :32 (278) α-aurigids Aug Sep Sep :04 (091) September ε-perseids Sep Sep :16 (049) October Camelopardalids Oct Oct :04 (166) +79?? Draconids Oct Oct. 8 d 25 06:24 (096) Orionids Oct. 2 - Nov Oct :24 (096) Southern Taurids Sep Nov Nov :33 (053) Northern Taurids Oct. 20- Dec Nov :57 (059) Leonids Nov Nov. 18 d 23 h 15 10:17 (154) α- Monocerotids Nov Nov. 21? 07:48 (117) Geminids Dec Dec. 14 d 14 h (114) Ursids Dec Dec (220) Meteor Diary BAA Handbook 2019

103 Date METEORS Latitude 52 N Latitude 35 S Twilight Radiant Twilight Radiant Age of Moon Ends Begins UT Alt. Ends Begins UT Alt. d h h h h h h Jan Apr May Jun Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec BAA Handbook 2019 Meteor Diary 101 Notes High activity, but with a rather narrow peak. Good in Bright events leave persistent trains. Very favourable Normally rather moderate activity, but fine displays in 1803, 1922, Unfavourable. Fine southern shower, poorly seen from the UK. Fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Good in Most active of the daytime showers. Good for radio observers. ZHR and radiant location uncertain Unexpected outburst with ZHR~100 m/h in 1998 June 27 after a quiescent period of several decades. Very favourable A good proportion of bright, slow-moving colourful meteors. Very favourable. Fine southern shower with double radiant. S. component is more active. Rich in faint meteors. Very favourable. Southern shower in need of observation. Date of maximum and radiant location uncertain. Quite favourable Rich & fast meteors. High proportion of bright events leaving persistent trains. Unfavourable Slow meteors with occasional bright fireballs. Date of max.may be as late as August 18. Unfavourable Short-lived outbursts in activity in 1994 and more recently in Favourable Stronger than usual display seen in Unfavourable Significant activity reported by video observers in 2005 and outburst in Favourable Periodic shower connected with 21P/Giacobini- Zinner. weak activity expected. Unfavourable Fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Flat maximum, with several sub-peaks. Good in Quite favourable. Southern branch of the Taurid complex. Slow meteors. Dbl. radiant. Broad peak λ = Quite favourable. Northern branch of the Taurid complex. Slow meteors. Unfavourable. Very fast meteors, many with persistent trains. Enhanced activity unlikely until the late 2020s. Unfavourable. Occasional very short-lived outbursts in activity, most recently in 1995 and possibly in Favourable. Richest of the annual showers, with slow meteors and a good proportion of bright events. Unfavourable Under-observed shower which has produced outbursts in 1945, 1982, 1986 and in Very favourable.

104 VARIABLE STARS Heliocentric Times of Primary Minima RZ Cassiopeiae: Magnitude 6.2 to 7.7, Duration 4.8 hours h h h h h h Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun * * * 4 4.1* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec * * * 6 1.9* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Minima marked with an asterisk (*) are favourable from the British Isles, taking into account the altitude of the variable and the distance of the Sun below the horizon (based on longitude 0 and latitude 52 N). Heliocentric times must be UTC corrected for the light time to the Sun. To calculate this, use the program on the Computing Section website Variable Stars BAA Handbook 2019

105 VARIABLE STARS b Persei (Algol): Magnitude 2.1 to 3.4, Duration 9.6 hours h h h h h h Jan Feb Mar 2 0.2* Apr May Jun * * * * * * * * Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 1.4* Nov Dec * * * * * * * * * * * * RS Canum Venaticorum 7.9 to 9.1, Duration 13 hours h h h h h h Jan Feb Mar 3 0.9* Apr May Jun * * * Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec * * BAA Handbook 2019 Variable Stars 103

106 MIRA STARS Approximate dates of maxima and minima for Mira stars on the programme of the BAA Variable Star Section, together with (usually) the mean visual range(p), and fraction of the period taken in rising from minimum (m) to maximum (M) for each star. The predictions, which are subject to inevitable uncertainty, use data from the American Association of Variable Star Observers. Star Range Period Max Min Date of Max. Date of Min. Max Min Period d R And Aug./Sep Mar./Apr. W And Apr. Nov./Dec. RW And Mar. Dec. R Aqr Jun./Jul. Jan. R Aql May Jan., Oct. UV Aur* Oct. Mar./Apr. V Cam Jan. - X Cam Apr., Sep. Jan./Feb., Jun./Jul., Nov. SU Cnc* 10.5 [ Feb./Mar., Aug./Sep. Jun., Dec. U CVn Jun./Jul. Feb./Mar. RT CVn* 9.9 [ Feb., Oct./Nov. Jul. S Cas Feb./Mar. - T Cas Aug. Jan./Feb. ο Cet Oct./Nov. Jun./Jul. R Com Jul./Aug. Mar. S CrB Aug. Apr. V CrB Sep./Oct. May W CrB Feb./Mar., Oct. Jun./Jul. R Cyg Aug./Sep. Mar./Apr. S Cyg Jun./Jul. Jan./Feb., Dec. V Cyg Jul. - χ Cyg Jul./Aug. T Dra Sep./Oct. Mar./Apr. RU Her Jan. Oct. SS Her Apr., Jul./Aug., Feb., May/Jun., Nov. Sep. R Hya Oct. Apr. SU Lac* 10.3 [ Aug./Sep. Apr./May RS Leo* 9.7 [ Jan./Feb., Aug./Sep. Jun. W Lyn Feb., Nov./Dec. Aug. X Lyn May 2018 Dec./2019 Jan., Nov. X Oph Jan./Feb., Dec., Jul Jan. U Ori Apr./May Dec. R Ser May/Jun. Jan., Dec./2020 Jan. T UMa Jul./Aug. Apr., Dec. * Extreme range is given [ Fainter than Approximately 104 Variable Stars BAA Handbook 2019

107 VARIABLE STAR OF THE YEAR Variable Star of the Year RS Canum Venaticorum RS CVn was discovered in 1914 by Madame Lydia Ceraski who was the wife of the Director of the Moscow Observatory. She was not a trained astronomer and did not hold an astronomical post but undertook, like the Harvard computers, to examine the photographic plates that were produced by the Observatory. Her discovery was, therefore, not made by direct observation. The discovery was published under her husband s name though he acknowledged her role. She discovered many variable stars. From the plates she recognised a new Algol eclipsing binary system. The peculiarities of the light curve of the system confused astronomers for some time to come. It was not until 1946 that Otto Struve identified the RS group of eclipsing binaries. Further work was done on the characteristics of the group by Oliver (1974) and Hall (1976). RS CVn is an eclipsing binary of the Algol type. It has a period of about 4.8 days. The primary eclipse lasts about 13 hours with a depth of about one magnitude. The system fades from around 8 to a magnitude of 9.1. The secondary eclipse is much shallower with a depth of 0.2 magnitude. The primary eclipse can be detected visually with binoculars but DSLR/CCD photometry will be needed to study the secondary eclipse. RS CVn is the type system of a sub-class of eclipsing binaries. Such systems have the designation RS so that RS CVn is an EA/RS system. This sub class consists of stars that are chromospherically active. They have cool, large stellar spots which are so large that they can cause variations of up to 0.4 magnitude in the light curve. Such variations within the light curve can be detected by DSLR photometry particularly if the measurements are obtained at a high quality dark sky site where atmospheric turbulence is minimal. The variations in the light curve are repeated for a period of time, in between eclipses, at intervals similar to the orbital period. IBVS 5838 (2008) reports on the starspot variations of the V841 Cen system. The title of the report is A Large, Long Period Spot Wave. The amplitude of the variation in that system was 0.4 magnitude. The variation was stable for over six months. Another report was made in IBVS 5772 (2007). The title is GSC is a new short period Eclipsing RS CVn Variable. The starspot(s) are about 0.2 magnitude. The report publishes a light curve which illustrates what might be seen when observing this type of system. Details of the variations of RS CVn will be of interest to all those studying chromospherically active stars. Such details will be obtained by systematic out-of-eclipse measurements. If a starspot is identified spectroscopists should be alerted. RS CVn, a giant orange/red star 522 light years from Earth, is straightforward to find out of eclipse with a magnitude of around You star hop with the naked eye by going to the end of the handle of the Plough and then to the brightest star in the constellation Canes Venatici, which has a magnitude of around 2.84, called Cor Caroli. From this star, using binoculars it is easy to find the nearby star, 14 Canum Venaticorum, which has a magnitude of RS CVn will be in the same field of view as 14 Canum Venaticorum and, as the BAAVSS chart (253.02) illustrates, it is associated with an easily recognizable asterism of 5 stars including itself. BAA Handbook 2019 Variable Stars 105

108 RS CANUM VENATICORUM LIGHT CURVE 106 Variable Stars BAA Handbook 2019

109 RS CANUM VENATICORUM FINDER CHART BAA Handbook 2019 Variable Stars 107

110 EPHEMERIDES OF VISUAL BINARY STARS Inspection of the two point ephemeris will indicate whether a pair is closing, relatively static, or opening up, and whether motion is direct or retrograde. A fast mover of long period is probably near periastron, while a slow mover of short period is likely to be near apastron. The orbital elements employed for the computation are those published in the Sixth Catalog of Orbits of Visual Binary Stars, by William I. Hartkopf and Brian D. Mason, U.S. Naval Observatory: Star Name ADS RA Dec. Mags. Period PA Dist. PA Dist. h m y 85 Peg OΣ λ Cas β η Cas And Howe Dunlop Σ α Psc Ari Σ h ι Cas AB Σ α For Σ Tau OΣ Eri BC OΣ 77 AB Hu Ori η Gem OΣ Lyn AB Lyn α Gem Pup ζ Cnc AB ζ Cnc AB C β I δ Vel ε Hya AB C Σ ω Leo γ Sex γ Leo β Double Stars BAA Handbook 2019

111 EPHEMERIDES OF VISUAL BINARY STARS Star Name ADS RA Dec. Mags. Period PA Dist. PA Dist. h m y ξ UMa AB ι Leo BrsO OΣ Σ β γ Cen γ Vir Com I UMa A1609 AB CVn α Cen ζ Boo φ ξ Boo OΣ H Boo η CrB γ Lup π2 UMi ξ Sco AB σ CrB AB λ Oph ζ Her Dra MlbO 4 AB BrsO Dra τ Oph Oph h OΣ ε1 Lyr AB ε2 Lyr CD γ CrA δ Cyg λ Cyg Aqr ε Equ AB τ Cyg μ Cyg Aqr Kr ζ Aqr AB π Cep β Peg BAA Handbook 2019 Double Stars 109

112 BRIGHT STARS FOR EPOCH Name RA Dec. V Name RA Dec. V h m s ' " h m s ' " α And α UMa β Cas* β Leo α Cas α Cru β Cet γ Cru* β And γ Cen α Eri β Cru* γ And ε UMa* α Ari ζ UMa α UMi* α Vir* α Per* ε Cen α Per η UMa η Tau β Cen* α Tau θ Cen β Ori α Boo α Aur* η Cen* γ Ori α Cen cg* β Tau α Lup* δ Ori* ε Boo ε Ori β UMi ζ Ori α CrB* κ Ori δ Sco α Ori* α Sco* β Aur* α TrA β CMa* ε Sco α Car* λ Sco* γ Gem α Oph α CMa θ Sco ε CMa γ Dra δ CMa ε Sgr α Gem α Lyr α CMi σ Sgr β Gem β Cyg ζ Pup α Aql γ Vel* γ Cyg ε Car* α Pav δ Vel α Cyg λ Vel* α Cep β Car ε Peg* ι Car* β Gru α Hya α Gru* α Leo α PsA γ Leo β Peg* β UMa α Peg * = Variable star = Double star Note: double star co ordinates refer to the brighter component, but magnitude refers to the combined light. 110 Bright Stars BAA Handbook 2019

113 ACTIVE GALAXIES Object RA Dec. Const. Type V* U.2000 (2000.0) Chart No. h m 3C 66A And BL Lac NGC Per Seyfert C 120 (BW Tau) Tau BL Lac S Cam BL Lac OJ Cnc BL Lac Markarian UMa BL Lac NGC CVn Seyfert W Comae Com BL Lac C Vir Quasar C Vir Quasar BL Lacertae Lac BL Lac *Approximate range FINDER CHARTS FOR ACTIVE GALAXIES Charts for all of the active galaxies listed above have been included in previous BAA Handbooks and are listed below. Object BAA VSS Chart Handbook Year 3C 66A NGC BW Tau S OJ Markarian NGC W Com C C BL Lac Direct links to individual BAA VSS charts for the Active Galaxies can be found in a more detailed table of these galaxies, on the Computing Section website at: BAA Handbook 2019 Active Galaxies 111

114 TIME Universal Time (UT, Greenwich Mean Time beginning at midnight) is used generally throughout the Handbook. Terrestrial Time (TT) is the uniform time system used in computing the ephemerides of the bodies of the Solar System. TT is currently ahead of UT by a small amount ΔT which must be determined by observations; thus TT = UT + ΔT The value of ΔT for July 2019 is estimated to be about 69.7 seconds. Greenwich Mean Astronomical Time (GMAT), or Greenwich Mean Time beginning at noon, was in use before 1925 January 1, and many astronomical records prior to that date are referred to this system. To convert UT to GMAT subtract 12 hours, and to convert GMAT to UT add 12 hours. Greenwich Sidereal Time (GST) is given in the table below at 0 h UT. It may be obtained with sufficient accuracy for setting the circles of a telescope at any other time by adding 3.94 minutes for every complete day after a tabulated date, together with the correction, ΔT, for parts of a day from the table which follows: Time ΔT Time ΔT Time ΔT Time ΔT h m h m h m h m m m m m For greater accuracy (±0.2 S ) use the equation : GST (at 0 h UT) = ' h h d where d is the number of days from January 0. The tabulated sidereal time is actually the mean sidereal time. The difference between mean and apparent sidereal time is never more than about 1.2 seconds. Local Sidereal Time (LST) and Local Hour Angle (LHA) are found from LST = GST + λ LHA = LST RA Where λ is the longitude, expressed in time, measured positive eastwards from Greenwich. The Julian Date, in which the day begins at noon, is used in accurate computing work and is given in the table on p.111. The Sun s Longitude is used as a measure of time in meteor work. It may be interpolated from the table on p Time BAA Handbook 2019

115 TIME Julian Sun's Long. Julian Sun's Long Date GST Date GST h m 2458 h m Dec Jul Jan Aug Feb Mar Sep Apr Oct May Nov Jun Dec The precession in longitude from to is and from to is BAA Handbook 2019 Time 113

116 ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS General: Gaussian gravitational constant Astronomical unit (au) 149,597,870,700 metres Speed of light in vacuo 299, km s 1 Dynamical form factor J2 for the Earth Product of gravitational constant and mass of the Earth 398,600.5 km 3 s 2 Earth Moon mass ratio Moon s sidereal mean motion x10 6 radians s 1 = " s 1 Obliquity of the ecliptic (2000) 23 26' " Constant of nutation in obliquity (2000) " Solar parallax " Light time for unit distance s = d Constant of aberration " Mean distance Earth to Moon 384,400 km Constant of sine Moon s parallax " Lunar inequality " Parallactic inequality " Length of the year: Tropical (equinox to equinox) d Sidereal (fixed star to fixed star) d Anomalistic (apse to apse) d Eclipse (Moon s node to Moon s node) d Gaussian (Kepler s law for a = 1) d Length of the month: Tropical (equinox to equinox) d Sidereal (fixed star to fixed star) d Anomalistic (apse to apse) d Draconic (node to node) d Synodic (New Moon to New Moon) d Length of the day: Mean solar day 24 h 03 m s = d mean sidereal time Mean sidereal day 23 h 56 m s = d mean solar time Sidereal rotation period of the Earth 23 h 56 m s = d mean solar time Solar radiation: Solar constant x 10 3 J m 2 s 1 Radiation emitted 3.84 x J s 1 Radiation emittance at surface 6.32 x 10 7 J m 2 s 1 Total internal radiant energy 2.8 x J Radiation emitted per unit mass x 10 4 J s 1 kg 1 Visual absolute magnitude (M v ) Colour indices (B V, U B) +0.65, Spectral type G2V Effective temperature 5,800 K Conversion factors: Light year (ly) x km = 63,240 au = pc Parsec (pc) x km = 206,265 au = ly 114 Astronomical and Physical Constants BAA Handbook 2019

117 ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS The Galaxy: Pole of galactic plane (2000) 12 h 51 m s, δ ' 42.0" Point of zero longitude (2000) 17 h 45 m s, δ 28 56' 10.2" Galactic Longitude of North Celestial Pole (2000) Mass 1.1 x solar masses = 2.2 x kg Average density 0.1 solar mass pc 3 = 7 x kg m 3 Diameter 25,000 pc Thickness 4,000 pc Distance of Sun from centre 8,200 pc Distance of Sun above galactic plane 24 ±6 pc Solar apex (2000) (from radio astronomy) RA 18 h 03.8 m, Dec ' Solar motion (from bright stars) 19.7 km s 1 Period of revolution of Sun about centre 2.2 x 10 8 yr Figure of the Earth: Equatorial radius 6,378,136.6 m Polar radius 6,356,751.9 m Flattening * ρ sin φ' = S sin φ, ρ cos φ' = C cos φ where: S = cos 2φ (210 cos 4φ h) C = cos 2φ (212 cos 4φ h) ρ = cos 2φ 10 8 (352 cos 4φ 15.7 h) cos 6φ tan φ' = [ (0.11 x 10 8 h)] tan φ φ φ' = " sin 2φ 1.16" sin 4φ 1 of latitude = [ cos 2 φ cos 4φ] km 1 of longitude = [ cos φ cos 3 φ cos 5φ] km Acceleration due to gravity g = [ sin 2 φ sin 2 2φ (31.55 x 10 8 ) h] m s 2 Length of seconds pendulum l = [ cos 2φ cos 4φ (3133 x ) h] m Constant of gravitation x kg 1 m 3 s 2 Centennial general precession p = " " T * φ = Geographic or geodetic latitude ρ = Geocentric distance in equatorial radii φ' = Geocentric latitude h = Height in metres T = Time measured in Julian centuries from J GREEK ALPHABET α alpha β beta γ gamma δ delta ε epsilon ζ zeta η eta θ theta ι iota κ kappa λ lamda μ mu ν nu ξ xi ο omicron π pi ρ rho σ sigma τ tau υ upsilon φ phi χ chi ψ psi ω omega BAA Handbook 2019 Astronomical and Physical Constants & Greek Alphabet 115

118 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Handbook would not be possible without the work of its many data contributors : Andrew Sinclair contributed the diagrams showing the visibility of planets and their appearances and also data and diagrams for Saturn's satellites. Barry Leggett supplied data for Jovian satellite eclipses and transits. Des Loughney provided heliocentric times of primary minima of variable stars. Fred Espenak (previously of the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center) for his Eclipse charts. John Isles contributed the data on Mira stars. John Mason provided the meteor data. John Toone provided data on active galaxies and with Gary Poyner, provided data for variable stars and for the variable star of the year. Tracie L. Heywood supplied 2016 RS Canum Venaticorum light curve. Nick James provided data on comets. Ken Hall provided lunar libration data. Richard Miles provided data for asteroids, near earth objects, trans neptunian and dwarf planets, and diagrams for Pluto. Asteroid Favourable Observing Opportunities data were prepared by him, using data from the MPCORB database by Brian D. Warner; Alan W. Harris (MoreData! Inc.); and Petr Pravec (Astronomical Institute, Ondrejov, Czech Republic). Richard Kaye provided the System III Jupiter data, using a program written by himself. Robert Mackenzie provided the start dates for Carrington rotations. Susan Stewart of the United States Naval Observatory provided the bright stars positional data. Tim Haymes provided lunar occultation data and, with Edwin Goffin and Eberhard Riedel (International Occultation Timing Association), the tables and maps for asteroid occultations and grazing lunar occultations. Mike Kretlow for use of his asteroid and TNO database of current predictions. Steve Preston for his global updates on asteroidoccultations.com Tony Evans provided data for Mercury, Venus and Mars. William Thuillot (Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides) supplied the diagrams of Jupiter s satellites. Xavier Jubier Transit of Mercury charts and data. Contributors have checked their own and others contributions and their comments have greatly improved the Handbook. The Editor gratefully acknowledges contributors support in answering any queries, and the many proof readers for their assistance. Any data not mentioned above have been provided by the Computing Section. STEVE HARVEY Director Handbook 2018 ERRATA p.25 Apsides - Perigee and Apogee headings are transposed p.26 Lunar Librations - Months not aligned correctly to dates column p Illumination of moon measurement should be "%" p.101 Algol Primary Minima times had a date error propogated through several dates. (see online version for corrections) p.108 delta Orionis should have Declination ' ' not ' ' 116 Acknowledgements & Errata BAA Handbook 2019

119 The British Astronomical Association The British Astronomical Association was founded in 1890 and now has about 3,000 members. Its leading features are: Membership Open to all persons interested in astronomy. Objectives (1) The organisation of observers, including those using small telescopes or binoculars, for mutual help. (2) The analysis and publication of observations. (3) The circulation of current astronomical information. (4) The encouragement of a popular interest in astronomy. Methods (1) The organisation of members in sections under experienced directors. (2) The publication of a Journal, Newsletters, a Handbook, Circulars and Bulletins. (3) The holding of meetings. (4) The maintenance of a collection of astronomical instruments for loan to members. (5) The affiliation of schools and societies. Annual Subscriptions These are due August 1 each year. Current rates are available from the Office. MEETINGS Meetings are held at approximately monthly intervals, excluding July and August. Many are in London on either Wednesdays (starting at 17.30) or Saturdays (starting at 14.30). Meetings are also held at venues around the country. A very popular weekend meeting is held annually near Winchester in the Spring, along with a Summer Meeting or Exhibition. Back to Basics meetings for beginners are held outside London each year, usually in March and October. Observers workshops are also held twice per year. Many observing sections hold meetings every few years, some annually. Full details of the current programme are available from the office and the website. PUBLICATIONS The principal publications are the Journal and the Handbook. In addition, e mailed bulletins, paper circulars and section newsletters are available to members. The Journal is published six times a year. It contains reports of meetings, reports of the sections, papers, reviews, letters, images and notes on current astronomical news. The complete set of Journals from 1890 is available on DVD. Occasional longer Memoirs containing detailed section reports. This Handbook, prepared by the Computing Section, is published annually. The e bulletins/circulars give early information on new and predicted events such as planetary phenomena and the discovery of novae and comets. The complete set of Circulars is available on CD. REGISTERED OFFICE The Registered Office of the Association is at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0DU. office@britastro.org Telephone Hours are to 17.00, Monday to Friday.

120 The BAA on the Internet BAA Home Page This website contains information about the BAA and how to become a member; it gives details about the meetings, publications and merchandise for sale. There is a members only area, plus links to pages maintained by the Observing Sections. You can find tutorials, news items, data on new comets, asteroid occultations and other topical events, plus photo galleries and links to many other sources of astronomical information. BAA Computing Section This website complements the Handbook by providing extra material for which there is not room in the Handbook. This includes : charts for many minor planets, calculational forms, graphical applications such as what is observable at any time and positions of satellites of major planets. Constant data that do not need to be printed every year in the Handbook together with links to other websites. BAA Journal Printed by Berforts South West Ltd. +44 (0)

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