The CalSKY website provides information on many objects you might want to observe. After registering try clicking on ‘Asteroids’ and then ‘This nights asteroids’. Selecting ‘Astronomer’ gives a longer list than ‘Hobby’. Choosing an asteroid from the list gives you a mountain of data relating to that object. Asteroids at opposition and Occultations are also listed.

Please send a copy of all observations and images to the ARPS Director at arps@britastro.com

2.0 Observing opportunities

Note that the data published in the BAA Handbook for 2009 can also be found in section 3.

Targets	Activities	Procedures (1)	Instruments	Data Sources	Send results to (2);	Reporting format
VISUAL OBSERVING
Main belt asteroids	Finding by visual observing	Visual observations of asteroids	Telescope	Section 1.2.2, Targets for visual observation, BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 44-50 Planetarium software What’s Observable ?	ARPS Director at arps@britastro.com	ARPS form
Main belt asteroids	Position estimates (Visual astrometry)	Visual observations of asteroids	Telescope	BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 44-50 Planetarium software What’s Observable ?	ARPS Director at arps@britastro.com	ARPS form
Main belt asteroids	Magnitude estimates (Visual photometry)	Visual observations of asteroids	Telescope	BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 44-50 Planetarium Software What’s Observable ?	ARPS Director at arps@britastro.com	ARPS form
Main belt asteroids	Occultation timing	Occultations EAON Introduction EAON Circulars	Binoculars (only a few) or Telescope	European Asteroidal Occultation Network (EAON) Steve Preston’s occultation predictions BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 51-53 UK predictions issued monthly to ARPS members by Andrew Elliott	EAON - Giles Regheere at mailto:gillesregheere@yahoo.fr Beginners are asked to send there results to Andrew Elliott (Assistant Director, Occultations) at ae@f2s.com	EAON form
VIDEO RECORDING AND DRIFT SCAN TIMING OF OCCULTATIONS
Main belt asteroids	Occultation timing	EAON Video Observations Drift scan timing	Telescope plus video camera Telescope Plus CCD camera	European Asteroidal Occultation Network (EAON) Steve Preston’s occultation predictions BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 51-53 UK predictions issued monthly to ARPS members by Andrew Elliott	PLANOCCULT mailing list at planoccult@aula.com EAON - Giles Regheere at mailto:gillesregheere@yahoo.fr Eric Frappa at frappa@euraster.net	EAON form
DIGITAL SLR IMAGING
Main belt asteroids	Imaging	Digital SLR imaging	Digital SLR camera plus drive	BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 4-50 Planetarium software What’s Observable ?	See Publication of observations	Add details to images as shown on images in article Digital SLR imaging
CCD IMAGING
Main belt asteroids	Imaging	Al Kelly’s CCD Instruction Guide AAVSO CCD Observing Manual	Telescope plus CCD	MPO Observing Guides	See Publication of observations	Add details to images as shown on images in article Digital SLR imaging
CCD ASTROMETRY
Main belt asteroids	Obtaining an observatory code	Astrometry – Obtaining an observatory code MPC Guide to Minor Body Astrometry	Telescope plus CCD	MPC Guide to Minor Body Astrometry (Section 15 for targets)	The Minor Planet Center at mailto:mpc@cfa.harvard.edu	MPC Submission information
NEO’s and Main belt asteroids	Discovery follow-up astrometry	An introduction to astrometry Astrometry of NEO’s Astrometry of NEO’s – Follow-up observations Astrometry - Measuring trails	Telescope plus CCD	Lowell Observatory HOP MPC NEA Observation Planning Aid Spaceguard Priority List Follow-up Astrometric Program (FUAP) BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 51 and 58	The Minor Planet Center at mailto:mpc@cfa.harvard.edu	MPC Submission information
NEO’s and Main belt asteroids	Discovery confirmation astrometry	Peter Birtwhisle’s website; -Equipment -Software -Methods	Telescope plus CCD	Minor Planet Center (MPC) NEO Confirmation Page	The Minor Planet Center at mailto:mpc@cfa.harvard.edu	MPC Submission information
NEO’s and Main belt Asteroids	Discovery	Hunting Asteroids from your Backyard. Dennis Di Cicco, Sky and Telescope A Guide to Asteroid Discovery Using the Sierra Skies Observatory Network by Rich Williams	Telescope plus CCD	Minor Planet Checker (to check for known asteroids)	The Minor Planet Center at mailto:mpc@cfa.harvard.edu	MPC Submission information
CCD PHOTOMETRY
Asteroids and Dwarf Planets	Determining lightcurves by differential photometry	Photometry Asteroid lightcurves – Part I Asteroid lightcurves – Part II Differential photometry using Canopus MPO/CALL - A Guide to Minor Planet Photometry	Telescope plus CCD	Minor planet Bulletin (Each on-line edition includes a list of ‘Lightcurve opportunities’) BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 54-55	See Publication of observations	Publication of observations
Asteroids and Dwarf Planets	Determining lightcurves – a new method. Absolute photometry made easy!	A method for determining the V magnitude of asteroids from CCD images Astrometrica and Guide Hints and Tips	Telescope plus CCD plus Filters	Minor planet Bulletin (Each on-line edition includes a list of ‘Lightcurve opportunities’) BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 54-55	See Publication of observations	Publication of observations
Asteroids and Dwarf Planets	Determining lightcurves by all-sky photometry	MPO/CALL - A Guide to Minor Planet Photometry All-Sky Photometry: An Iterative Procedure by Bill Gary Link to Asteroid Phase Curves: New Opportunities for Amateur Observers (see PP69-78) by Richard Miles	Telescope plus CCD plus Filters	Minor planet Bulletin (Each on-line edition includes a list of ‘Lightcurve opportunities’) BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 54-55	See Publication of observations	Publication of observations
All asteroids and Dwarf Planets but mainly applicable to Main Belt Asteroids	Generating phase curves and determining absolute magnitude	A method for determining the V magnitude of asteroids from CCD images Astrometrica and Guide Hints and Tips	Telescope plus CCD plus Filters	Magnitude Alert Project (MAP) BAA Handbook for 2009, Minor Planets, pp 55-56	Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) Minor Planet Section Coordinator Lawrence S. Pilcher or Gerard Faure	MPC Submission information

Notes

(1) Procedures which relate to both astrometry and photometry are; Timing and Star Catalogues .

(2) In addition to sending your results to repositories and anyone or any organization specifically requesting data please copy them to the British Astronomical Association’s Asteroid and Remote Planets Section Director, at arps@britastro.org . This will enable reports to be produced for the BAA Journal. You may, of course, prepare your own reports or papers for the BAA Journal.

3.0 Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Data for 2009

This data was originally published in The Handbook of The British Astronomical Association – 2009

3.1 ORBITAL ELEMENTS AND EPHEMERIDES OF ASTEROIDS

Observers with binoculars or small telescopes may find this data useful in locating some of the brighter asteroids.

Orbital elements

The data below has been extracted from the Minor Planet Center’s Comet and Ephemeris Service at; http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

Equinox of the elements          J2000

Epoch of the elements             JD 2454600.5, 2008 May 14.0 TT

No.	Name	a	e	i	Node	Peri	M
2	Pallas	2.77	0.23	34.84	173.14	310.29	285.24
3	Juno	2.67	0.26	12.96	170.05	247.92	211.65
4	Vesta	2.36	0.09	7.14	103.91	149.84	90.54
6	Hebe	2.43	0.20	14.75	138.74	239.52	122.78
7	Iris	2.38	0.23	5.53	259.72	145.33	150.45
14	Irene	2.59	0.17	9.11	86.46	96.31	298.61
15	Eunomia	2.64	0.19	11.74	293.27	97.87	86.64
16	Psyche	2.92	0.14	3.10	150.34	227.67	220.58
18	Melpomene	2.29	0.22	10.13	150.53	227.91	213.81
19	Fortuna	2.44	0.16	1.57	211.35	181.83	244.50
20	Massalia	2.41	0.14	0.71	206.50	255.64	144.30
27	Euterpe	2.35	0.17	1.58	94.81	356.83	318.26
29	Amphitrite	2.55	0.07	6.10	356.50	63.28	38.82
40	Harmonia	2.27	0.05	4.26	94.29	269.60	32.86
42	Isis	2.44	0.22	8.53	84.39	236.65	251.03
89	Julia	2.55	0.18	16.14	311.65	44.90	250.33

Ephemerides

The (geocentric) data below has been extracted from the Minor Planet Center Ephemeris Service at:

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html and the JPL Solar System Dynamics What’s Observable website at http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbwobs.cgi

Equinox                  J2000

Epoch                     JD 2454600.5, 2008 May 14.0 TT

Time                       00:00 UT on date given

2 Pallas

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

Jan 01 04 51 33.1 -31 37 52 1.584 2.231 118.9 8.0

11 04 46 45.6 -29 50 46 1.612 2.216 115.1 8.1

21 04 44 58.7 -27 28 42 1.650 2.202 110.9 8.1

31 04 46 24.7 -24 41 24 1.696 2.189 106.4 8.2

Feb 10 04 50 59.4 -21 38 35 1.751 2.177 101.7 8.3

20 04 58 26.3 -18 28 28 1.812 2.167 96.9 8.4

Mar 02 05 08 27.2 -15 17 41 1.879 2.157 92.2 8.5

12 05 20 42.5 -12 11 53 1.952 2.150 87.4 8.5

22 05 34 52.0 -09 15 11 2.029 2.143 82.6 8.6

Apr 01 05 50 39.3 -06 30 47 2.111 2.138 77.9 8.7

11 06 07 48.2 -04 01 14 2.196 2.135 73.3 8.8

21 06 26 03.6 -01 48 00 2.283 2.133 68.6 8.8

May 01 06 45 13.5 +00 07 50 2.372 2.133 64.0 8.9

11 07 05 05.2 +01 45 47 2.461 2.134 59.5 8.9

21 07 25 27.8 +03 05 59 2.551 2.136 54.9 9.0

31 07 46 12.5 +04 08 45 2.640 2.140 50.3 9.0

3 Juno

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

Jul 01 23 51 18.8 +03 28 45 2.037 2.426 99.8 9.7

11 23 59 45.1 +03 52 12 1.892 2.398 107.2 9.5

21 00 06 33.5 +03 58 37 1.754 2.371 115.1 9.3

31 00 11 24.9 +03 44 35 1.623 2.344 123.7 9.1

Aug 10 00 14 03.1 +03 07 08 1.505 2.317 132.9 8.8

20 00 14 14.1 +02 03 53 1.401 2.291 142.9 8.5

30 00 11 54.2 +00 34 33 1.316 2.265 153.7 8.3

Sep 09 00 07 19.6 -01 17 25 1.252 2.240 165.0 8.0

19 00 01 05.9 -03 24 24 1.212 2.216 175.7 7.7

29 23 54 13.3 -05 34 18 1.199 2.192 169.6 7.8

Oct 09 23 47 54.4 -07 33 41 1.211 2.169 157.8 7.9

19 23 43 14.9 -09 11 22 1.246 2.147 146.3 8.1

29 23 41 06.0 -10 20 13 1.301 2.126 135.5 8.3

Nov 08 23 41 52.8 -10 58 12 1.371 2.107 125.5 8.5

18 23 45 38.0 -11 06 35 1.453 2.088 116.3 8.7

28 23 52 12.6 -10 48 14 1.543 2.071 107.9 8.8

Dec 08 00 01 17.4 -10 07 01 1.638 2.055 100.2 9.0

18 00 12 31.9 -09 06 33 1.735 2.041 93.1 9.1

28 00 25 37.5 -07 50 13 1.834 2.028 86.6 9.2

4 Vesta

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

Jan 01 02 02 41.0 +04 58 08 2.049 2.553 109.6 7.6

11 02 07 00.2 +06 02 01 2.182 2.556 100.8 7.8

21 02 13 27.4 +07 13 21 2.318 2.560 92.6 7.9

31 02 21 46.7 +08 29 57 2.455 2.563 84.9 8.1

Feb 10 02 31 42.8 +09 49 47 2.590 2.565 77.5 8.2

20 02 43 01.8 +11 11 03 2.722 2.567 70.5 8.3

Mar 02 02 55 33.4 +12 32 16 2.847 2.569 63.8 8.3

12 03 09 07.7 +13 51 58 2.966 2.570 57.4 8.4

22 03 23 36.7 +15 08 57 3.076 2.571 51.1 8.4

Nov 07 09 57 22.4 +14 59 28 2.490 2.486 78.3 8.0

17 10 09 13.4 +14 23 18 2.352 2.478 85.5 7.9

27 10 19 40.1 +13 56 11 2.213 2.470 93.0 7.8

Dec 07 10 28 28.0 +13 40 39 2.075 2.462 101.1 7.6

17 10 35 19.0 +13 39 29 1.941 2.454 109.6 7.4

27 10 39 52.3 +13 55 17 1.814 2.445 118.8 7.3

6 Hebe

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

May 01 15 07 05.1 +05 46 19 1.896 2.853 157.6 9.9

11 14 58 02.3 +06 30 18 1.894 2.844 155.4 9.9

21 14 49 15.4 +06 52 53 1.918 2.834 149.0 10.0

31 14 41 35.3 +06 52 25 1.965 2.823 140.6 10.1

7 Iris

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Jun 01 19 20 40.9 -19 55 31 1.779 2.649 141.5 9.7

11 19 14 39.3 -19 42 06 1.686 2.629 152.4 9.4

21 19 06 11.8 -19 31 51 1.616 2.608 163.8 9.1

Jul 01 18 56 00.9 -19 23 48 1.572 2.586 174.7 8.8

11 18 45 11.2 -19 17 00 1.554 2.563 171.1 8.8

21 18 34 54.1 -19 11 02 1.563 2.540 159.6 9.1

31 18 26 18.6 -19 06 02 1.597 2.517 148.2 9.3

Aug 10 18 20 15.8 -19 02 20 1.652 2.493 137.2 9.5

20 18 17 12.5 -19 00 10 1.724 2.469 127.0 9.6

30 18 17 18.2 -18 59 14 1.809 2.444 117.4 9.8

Sep 09 18 20 26.0 -18 58 42 1.903 2.419 108.5 9.9

19 18 26 21.1 -18 57 21 2.002 2.393 100.2 10.0

29 18 34 46.9 -18 53 41 2.104 2.367 92.4 10.2

14 Irene

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

Mar 01 14 33 15.6 -01 20 56 1.451 2.158 123.0 9.9

11 14 35 25.1 -00 55 21 1.366 2.162 132.1 9.6

21 14 34 19.5 -00 21 09 1.295 2.167 141.8 9.4

31 14 30 02.1 +00 16 46 1.241 2.173 151.6 9.2

Apr 10 14 23 04.2 +00 51 32 1.208 2.179 160.8 9.0

20 14 14 22.6 +01 16 02 1.199 2.187 166.1 8.9

30 14 05 12.5 +01 23 55 1.213 2.196 162.8 9.0

May 10 13 56 55.6 +01 11 13 1.252 2.206 154.4 9.2

20 13 50 34.9 +00 37 30 1.311 2.216 144.8 9.5

30 13 46 49.7 -00 15 29 1.390 2.228 135.4 9.7

15 Eunomia

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

Apr 01 12 47 15.5 -23 35 27 2.158 3.119 160.8 9.8

11 12 38 15.7 -22 47 06 2.153 3.124 162.6 9.8

21 12 30 00.3 -21 46 25 2.176 3.128 157.4 9.9

16 Psyche

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

        hh mm ss        dd mm ss      au        au      deg     mag

Aug 01 21 06 35.9 -14 59 22 1.697 2.708 173.9 9.5

11 20 58 30.6 -15 45 43 1.685 2.695 174.1 9.4

21 20 50 45.7 -16 30 37 1.701 2.683 162.6 9.7

31 20 44 19.0 -17 09 48 1.741 2.671 151.3 9.9

18 Melpomene

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Aug 01 01 09 32.2 +02 47 51 1.211 1.844 111.6 9.4

11 01 21 16.7 +02 21 32 1.116 1.831 118.5 9.2

21 01 30 38.6 +01 27 37 1.031 1.821 126.1 8.9

31 01 37 06.4 +00 05 02 0.956 1.812 134.3 8.7

Sep 10 01 40 17.3 -01 44 02 0.894 1.804 143.2 8.4

20 01 39 59.3 -03 53 12 0.849 1.799 152.2 8.2

30 01 36 30.0 -06 09 44 0.822 1.796 160.1 8.0

Oct 10 01 30 44.7 -08 16 26 0.815 1.795 163.5 7.9

20 01 24 05.5 -09 56 00 0.828 1.795 159.5 8.0

30 01 18 11.1 -10 55 30 0.862 1.798 151.4 8.2

Nov 09 01 14 23.4 -11 10 47 0.914 1.803 142.3 8.5

19 01 13 29.7 -10 44 35 0.981 1.809 133.5 8.7

29 01 15 48.9 -09 43 24 1.061 1.818 125.2 9.0

Dec 09 01 21 12.4 -08 15 30 1.151 1.828 117.5 9.2

19 01 29 20.0 -06 28 03 1.250 1.840 110.4 9.5

29 01 39 50.0 -04 27 17 1.355 1.854 103.8 9.7

19 Fortuna

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Dec 01 05 15 56.6 +21 03 07 1.154 2.130 168.9 9.5

11 05 05 23.5 +20 43 02 1.157 2.142 177.3 9.3

21 04 55 18.9 +20 24 23 1.188 2.154 165.6 9.7

31 04 47 17.0 +20 10 14 1.242 2.168 153.6 10.0

20 Massalia

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Sep 01 00 22 52.8 +03 06 36 1.528 2.465 152.1 10.0

11 00 15 51.6 +02 19 36 1.467 2.450 163.7 9.7

21 00 07 16.0 +01 21 23 1.432 2.434 175.8 9.4

Oct 01 23 58 08.7 +00 18 51 1.424 2.419 171.9 9.5

11 23 49 40.3 -00 40 03 1.442 2.403 159.7 9.7

21 23 42 53.7 -01 28 13 1.485 2.387 147.9 9.9

31 23 38 36.0 -02 00 15 1.549 2.372 136.7 10.1

27 Euterpe

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Jan 01 09 38 03.9 +15 29 44 1.134 1.983 138.9 9.7

11 09 34 16.8 +16 03 26 1.080 1.994 150.1 9.5

21 09 27 12.8 +16 51 28 1.046 2.005 162.1 9.2

31 09 17 52.6 +17 46 32 1.035 2.018 174.4 8.9

Feb 10 09 07 53.2 +18 39 08 1.050 2.032 172.3 9.0

20 08 58 57.9 +19 21 23 1.089 2.047 160.2 9.4

Mar 02 08 52 32.0 +19 48 33 1.150 2.062 148.6 9.7

12 08 49 26.7 +19 59 08 1.231 2.078 137.9 10.0

22 08 49 52.4 +19 54 03 1.328 2.095 128.0 10.3

29 Amphitrite

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Mar 01 12 21 06.5 -02 16 44 1.697 2.627 154.7 9.7

11 12 12 53.6 -01 48 33 1.658 2.634 166.7 9.4

21 12 03 36.3 -01 13 36 1.645 2.641 178.8 9.1

31 11 54 17.4 -00 37 26 1.661 2.648 168.6 9.4

Apr 10 11 46 01.3 -00 05 57 1.705 2.654 156.7 9.7

20 11 39 36.6 +00 16 18 1.773 2.661 145.2 9.9

30 11 35 33.0 +00 26 22 1.862 2.667 134.5 10.1

40 Harmonia

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Jan 01 07 49 08.1 +22 57 30 1.325 2.290 165.5 9.9

11 07 38 03.8 +23 47 12 1.312 2.295 177.3 9.6

21 07 26 42.3 +24 31 17 1.327 2.300 168.4 9.8

    31  07 16 40.0     +25 05 44     1.370     2.305   156.0   10.1

42 Isis

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Sep 01 23 44 17.7 -20 34 41 0.941 1.922 160.4 9.5

11 23 36 22.7 -21 35 53 0.949 1.932 162.4 9.5

21 23 28 06.7 -22 08 02 0.977 1.944 157.8 9.6

89 Julia

2009       RA              Dec       Delta       r     Elong     V

hh mm ss dd mm ss au au deg mag

Sep 01 00 53 35.2 +28 45 10 1.279 2.086 131.0 9.8

11 00 47 32.9 +30 28 12 1.224 2.089 138.7 9.6

21 00 38 34.0 +31 37 27 1.186 2.094 145.8 9.4

Oct 01 00 27 47.1 +32 06 42 1.167 2.099 151.0 9.3

11 00 16 51.5 +31 55 37 1.169 2.106 152.6 9.3

21 00 07 29.8 +31 10 20 1.193 2.115 149.9 9.4

31 00 01 06.3 +30 03 00 1.238 2.124 144.1 9.6

Nov 10 23 58 23.0 +28 47 24 1.302 2.134 136.7 9.8

20 23 59 26.8 +27 35 02 1.382 2.145 128.9 10.0

30 00 04 03.4 +26 34 14 1.476 2.158 121.1 10.2

3.2 Astrometry

To submit astrometrical data to the Minor Planet Center (MPC) the observer must use a CCD camera and have an Observatory Code as described in 'Astrometry - Obtaining an Observatory Code' on the website of the Asteroid and Remote Planets Section at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger.dymock/Astrometry%20-%20Obs%20Code.htm

Positions and orbital elements of asteroids, particularly Near Earth Objects, change rapidly. Such data is therefore not included here but designations and data on asteroids for which astrometry is required can be obtained from;

The MPC

- NEO Confirmation Page at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/NEO/ToConfirm.html

- NEO Observation Planning Aid at http://scully.cfa.harvard.edu/~cgi/NEAObs

- Date of Last Observations of NEO's not seen in a while at

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/NEO/LastObsNEO.html

Lowell Observatory

- Hierarchical Observing Protocol at http://asteroid.lowell.edu/cgi-bin/koehn/hop

- Critical List of Asteroids at http://asteroid.lowell.edu/asteroid/loneos/critlist.html

The Spaceguard Foundation

- Priority List at http://spaceguard.rm.iasf.cnr.it/servlet/PriorityListServlet

UAI Minor Planets Section

- Follow-up Astrometric Program (FUAP) at http://asteroidi.uai.it/fuap.htm

Where a provisional orbit has been calculated this can be obtained from the MPC via the Minor Planet and Comet Ephemeris Service at

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

3.3 OCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY PLANETS AND MINOR PLANETS

Occultation events for 2009 were selected by Andrew Elliott from a world list of events computed and published annually by Edwin Goffin of the VVS (Flemish Astronomical Association). The section is very grateful to Mr Goffin for permission to publish his predictions in the Handbook.

There is space here only for the most prominent occultation events. These were selected by retaining only those involving numbered minor planets, occulted stars brighter than visual magnitude 10.0, maximum occultation durations greater than 5 sec, and magnitude drops greater than 1.0. Occultations by the major planets have also been retained for interest. Publication deadlines mean that events are necessarily computed up to 21 months in advance. Although prediction accuracy has improved vastly in recent years, significant uncertainties may remain when computed so far in advance. Observers are therefore advised to consult the following internet resources in the month prior to an event for updated predictions and detailed charts. The web sites also list detailed predictions for hundreds more events for the regions they cover.

http://asteroidoccultation.com/ - Steve Preston's whole-world updated predictions.

http://www.poyntsource.com/ - Derek Breit - similar to above but with direct links to individual tracks plotted on Google Earth and Google Maps.

ftp://ftp.ster.kuleuven.ac.be/dist/vvs/asteroids/ - the VVS website hosting Edwin Goffin's predictions (computation details, postscript and PDF charts).

http://mpocc.astro.cz/ - the Czech Astronomical Society's Europe, North Africa and Middle East subset of the above but including charts in GIF format and updates.

http://www.astrosurf.com/eaon - the European Asteroidal Occultation Network's (EAON) last minute prediction updates for Europe, with extra information and occultation links.

http://www.hristopavlov.net/OccultWatcher/OccultWatcher.html - Hristo Pavlov's 'OccultWatcher' software. This generates personalised predictions for your own site with links to Google Track Maps. It also helps to coordinate observations worldwide.

In the table of predictions: Time = time of closest geocentric approach: Region of Visibility codes (RoV): 1 = N and Central America, 2 = S America, 3 = Europe, N Africa and the Middle East, 4 = S Africa, 5 = Russia, 6 = Pakistan, India, and SE Asia, 7 = Japan, China and Taiwan, 8 = Australia and NZ.

Diam Max

Date Time UT Minor Planet (IRAS) Star reference V Dur Mag RoV

2009 h m No. Name km Mag sec drop

Jan. 08 1 16 231 Vindobona 82 TYC 1844-00389-1 9.6 8 4.8 1,3

24 14 18 154 Bertha 185 HIP 74591 8.7 8 4.6 8

24 19 55 776 Berbericia 151 HIP 27528 8.6 13 3.3 3

26 23 39 129 Antigone 125 TYC 1379-00821-1 9.6 8 1.8 3

27 7 17 474 Prudentia 38 HIP 62733 9.9 8 5.7 1

29 15 16 13 Egeria 208 HIP 54491 9.1 26 1.5 8

Feb. 07 15 52 410 Chloris 124 TYC 1955-00429-1 9.7 9 3.1 6

16 1 58 2114 Wallenquist 28 TYC 1894-00123-1 9.8 5 6.5 3

17 5 4 185 Eunike 158 TYC 0193-00670-1 9.2 12 2.8 1,2

21 9 40 266 Aline 109 TYC 6779-01113-1 8.7 8 6.0 2

22 18 39 1154 Astronomia 61 HIP 57924 9.1 5 6.6 6,8

23 3 45 239 Adrastea 42 TYC 0791-01174-1 8.3 6 6.7 1,2

23 13 31 506 Marion 106 TYC 0815-01555-1 9.3 10 3.4 8

27 14 51 521 Brixia 116 HIP 53414 7.7 8 4.8 6

Mar. 01 7 31 415 Palatia 76 HIP 77878 7.2 11 8.2 1

04 18 50 949 Hel 69 HIP 37788 8.6 13 5.7 3

07 7 56 95 Arethusa 136 TYC 5495-00573-1 9.6 10 3.2 1

22 7 47 76 Freia 184 HIP 59345 9.6 14 2.8 2

25 13 4 656 Beagle 53 TYC 1359-00806-1 9.4 6 5.6 8

31 21 44 119 Althaea 57 HIP 70815 9.2 7 3.4 3

Apr. 03 14 55 1154 Astronomia 61 HIP 55820 8.8 6 6.9 7

06 1 44 1242 Zambesia 48 TYC 7332-02287-1 9.7 7 5.7 3

13 5 0 94 Aurora 205 TYC 1857-00051-1 8.7 6 4.8 1

19 0 28 194 Prokne 168 HIP 32595 8.0 7 5.7 2

19 18 27 921 Jovita 69 HIP 88165 9.3 6 6.0 8

29 12 20 984 Gretia 32 HIP 48542 8.3 8 6.5 8

May. 12 15 54 100 Hekate 89 HIP 80217 9.2 9 2.7 6

22 18 50 Venus HIP 4968 7.8 811 0.0 8

25 14 19 1201 Strenua 35 HIP 56307 8.6 6 7.8 8

31 5 23 838 Seraphina 60 TYC 5720-00939-1 9.7 9 4.8 2

Jun. 06 7 46 61 Danaë 82 TYC 8364-00247-1 8.8 9 3.3 2

06 7 50 46 Hestia 124 TYC 6184-00208-1 9.8 13 2.5 1

09 16 56 393 Lampetia 97 HIP 83738 6.4 13 4.2 8

12 5 1 61 Danaë 82 TYC 8364-00256-1 9.9 8 2.2 2

15 19 57 1300 Marcelle 28 HIP 68050 6.9 7 8.8 3

18 10 13 309 Fraternitas 45 TYC 6808-00947-1 9.7 6 4.0 8

26 3 22 89 Julia 152 TYC 0598-01472-1 9.3 7 1.8 3

29 6 48 165 Loreley 155 TYC 5232-01493-1 9.6 33 3.0 1

Jul. 01 5 46 36 Atalante 106 TYC 8330-04843-1 8.2 8 5.3 8

05 16 10 694 Ekard 91 TYC 1091-01624-1 9.4 13 2.3 8

06 9 54 924 Toni 86 TYC 5731-01734-1 9.4 8 3.9 8

06 18 31 61 Danaë 82 TYC 8361-01056-1 8.7 7 3.2 8

10 22 56 213 Lilaea 83 TYC 6304-01595-1 8.2 9 3.1 3

14 5 45 140 Siwa 110 HIP 103166 7.6 20 3.4 2

16 19 27 389 Industria 79 TYC 5766-01428-1 9.3 7 2.4 8

Aug. 03 17 24 55 Pandora 67 TYC 6384-00461-1 9.8 8 1.7 8

03 21 3 5 Astraea 119 HIP 98361 8.5 10 2.8 6

03 23 56 Jupiter HIP 107302 6.0 9321 0.0 3,4

11 10 25 573 Recha 48 TYC 7414-00623-1 8.9 6 5.3 8

18 12 40 Mars HIP 26599 7.6 206 0.0 1

20 1 44 240 Vanadis 104 HIP 75848 6.8 7 8.1 1

23 6 32 573 Recha 48 TYC 7413-02394-1 9.2 9 5.2 8

24 2 3 3061 Cook 27 TYC 0630-01179-1 9.0 6 7.3 4

24 4 8 41 Daphne 174 TYC 0586-00399-1 9.5 17 2.4 2

24 15 21 284 Amalia 53 HIP 113251 9.4 9 2.9 6,7

27 3 26 52 Europa 303 HIP 25372 8.5 11 3.5 3

29 19 4 1735 ITA 62 HIP 112936 8.3 5 5.2 8

Sep. 05 3 17 111 Ate 135 TYC 1856-00666-1 9.2 6 3.8 3

09 5 50 449 Hamburga 86 TYC 4672-00650-1 9.2 8 4.4 1

15 18 26 Mars TYC 1894-00439-1 9.6 250 0.0 1

20 4 51 405 Thia 125 HIP 29757 9.2 7 4.9 3

24 11 39 579 Sidonia 86 TYC 5273-00531-1 9.6 8 2.6 1

24 21 33 418 Alemannia 34 HIP 8221 9.3 7 3.7 3

28 11 13 2951 Perepadin 49 HIP 99718 9.2 6 6.8 7,8

30 7 49 449 Hamburga 86 HIP 1684 7.1 7 6.1 2,8

Oct. 05 6 39 38 Leda 116 TYC 2403-01198-1 9.9 13 2.9 2

09 7 33 238 Hypatia 149 TYC 0737-01129-1 9.1 11 4.3 1

12 17 36 164 Eva 105 TYC 7009-00282-1 9.7 14 1.5 8

17 8 19 702 Alauda 195 TYC 1920-00620-1 9.5 15 3.8 2

20 1 15 139 Juewa 157 HIP 14232 6.5 14 5.9 1,3,5

22 16 28 173 Ino 154 TYC 5275-02025-1 9.5 24 1.5 8

23 19 37 3012 Minsk 64 TYC 3375-01352-1 8.9 7 7.4 7

24 7 34 164 Eva 105 HIP 10015 7.2 11 3.7 1,2

24 14 11 55 Pandora 67 TYC 6366-00016-1 9.6 7 2.7 8

25 9 11 160 Una 81 HIP 3972 8.1 9 4.6 8

31 2 56 1241 Dysona 83 TYC 3394-01150-1 9.6 14 5.7 1

Nov. 04 13 1 41 Daphne 174 TYC 5248-01143-1 9.6 56 3.0 7,8

08 20 53 345 Tercidina 94 HIP 12975 7.6 10 3.5 7

15 17 28 111 Ate 135 TYC 1890-00359-1 7.9 44 3.8 6

18 15 11 313 Chaldaea 96 HIP 32226 5.9 20 6.2 1

19 10 40 81 Terpsichore 119 TYC 2342-00278-1 9.0 14 2.4 1

20 8 5 32 Pomona 81 TYC 0250-00288-1 9.2 11 3.4 1

21 3 25 234 Barbara 44 HIP 34106 7.5 8 5.6 1,3,5

21 13 50 137 Meliboea 145 TYC 0188-01414-1 9.1 22 5.1 1,8

22 1 3 194 Prokne 168 HIP 54857 6.8 8 7.0 4

24 2 0 58 Concordia 93 TYC 1313-01182-1 9.8 11 3.3 1,3,5

25 23 57 171 Ophelia 117 TYC 1324-02361-1 9.6 12 3.3 6

Dec. 01 10 0 130 Elektra 182 TYC 4831-00302-1 9.1 35 2.9 1

12 10 51 89 Julia 152 TYC 1733-00767-1 8.4 15 2.2 8

14 8 18 1118 Hanskya 77 TYC 1950-00768-1 8.8 14 6.2 1

15 11 2 49 Pales 150 HIP 113727 7.7 7 5.0 8

19 2 1 72 Feronia 86 TYC 0654-00755-1 9.8 18 2.8 1,3

20 0 3 Jupiter TYC 5800-00822-1 9.1 4692 0.0 2

22 16 51 859 Bouzaréah 74 HIP 29891 7.7 6 6.2 8

23 0 33 524 Fidelio 72 HIP 5429 8.2 9 5.8 2

23 1 36 245 Vera 80 TYC 1888-01136-1 9.1 7 2.6 1,3,5

24 21 32 224 Oceana 62 HIP 26034 6.6 5 5.8 6

25 5 5 81 Terpsichore 119 TYC 1795-00251-1 8.5 46 3.5 1

29 4 5 599 Luisa 65 HIP 26592 6.6 5 6.3 3

29 7 4 3012 Minsk 64 TYC 3367-01185-1 9.6 5 6.2 1

3.4 LIGHTCURVE OPPORTUNITIES

Prepared by Richard Miles based on an analysis of both numbered and unnumbered objects in the Minor Planet Center MPCORB database by Brian D. Warner.

Asteroids attaining magnitude 14.0 or brighter for which no rotation period has been determined are listed. Where a 'U' code is given as '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 Dr. Alan W. Harris and Brian D. Warner of the Space Science Institute and Petr Pravec of the Astronomical Institute, Czech Republic, at: http://www.minorplanetobserver.com/astlc/LightcurveParameters.htm

Asteroid	Asteroid	Date when	V
Number	Name	brightest	Mag	Δ	Dec.	Elong.	U	Period	Amplitude
		m d		AU		º		h	mag
29943	1999 JZ78	1 01.3	13.9	1.676	+29	174	-
786	Bredichina	1 07.4	13.3	2.347	+28	174	-
946	Poesia	1 15.9	13.8	1.695	+23	178	-
136849	1998 CS1	1 15.9	12.4	0.035	+29	128	-
366	Vincentina	1 19.4	13.3	2.344	+31	169	1	15.5	0.08
168	Sibylla	1 23.1	12.8	2.457	+13	174	1	23.8	>0.3
271	Penthesilea	1 31.2	13.9	2.029	+19	178	-
566	Stereoskopia	2 03.0	13.0	2.554	+22	174	2	17	0.08
850	Altona	2 06.5	14.0	2.133	+22	174	1	4
500	Selinur	2 11.1	13.3	1.888	+6	172	1	>8	>0.05
602	Marianna	2 12.8	13.0	2.415	+16	177	1	30	0.3
	1999 AQ10	2 17.1	13.1	0.014	-24	119	-
740	Cantabia	2 20.6	12.7	1.727	+20	170	1	>24
521	Brixia	2 23.2	12.4	1.836	+23	165	-	>24	>0.09
470	Kilia	3 25.0	12.4	1.220	+1	177	-		<0.2
1622	Chacornac	4 22.8	13.9	0.961	-18	174	-
207	Hedda	5 01.7	12.2	1.212	-17	179	1	>12	0.03
1625	The NORC	5 02.4	14.0	1.579	-38	155	-	7.6	0.13
1303	Luthera	5 04.5	13.3	1.976	-2	166	-
427	Galene	5 24.4	13.6	1.802	-27	173	-
341	California	5 27.2	12.5	1.019	-28	173	1	8.74	0.07
1331	Solvejg	6 02.1	13.7	1.700	-18	176	1	>10	>0.3
136617	1994 CC	6 06.8	12.4	0.024	-51	99	-
1145	Robelmonte	6 06.9	13.5	1.135	-34	168	1	21	0.05
1819	Laputa	6 10.4	13.9	1.595	+7	150	-
143651	2003 QO104	6 13.6	13.7	0.097	-48	97	-
	2001 FE90	6 30.4	12.2	0.021	-22	169	-
2379	Heiskanen	7 01.8	13.7	1.455	-22	179	-
6560	Pravdo	7 10.0	13.9	1.074	-20	178	-
924	Toni	7 14.7	13.1	1.767	-13	171	1	8.98	0.1
3034	Climenhaga	8 16.5	13.6	0.827	-21	172	-
1621	Druzhba	8 25.6	13.9	1.178	-8	177	1	>12	>0.16
982	Franklina	9 04.7	13.4	1.565	+9	164	1	3.6	0.03
1157	Arabia	9 17.0	14.0	1.925	+2	175	-
1700	Zvezdara	9 21.9	13.4	0.833	0	180	-
449	Hamburga	9 28.1	13.1	1.773	-3	175	-		0.01
4820	Fay	9 28.2	14.0	1.184	+12	168	-
711	Marmulla	9 30.6	13.6	1.019	+5	178	-		0.07
2717	Tellervo	10 04.6	13.7	0.822	+2	177	-
68216	2001 CV26	10 04.6	12.7	0.040	-66	83	-
244	Sita	10 12.3	13.4	0.877	+8	179	-
159402	1999 AP10	10 13.8	12.9	0.080	+28	126	-
1001	Gaussia	10 21.2	13.7	1.824	+21	169	1	4.08	0.04
4103	Chahine	10 31.0	13.5	1.077	+32	162	-
	2000 XK44	11 08.6	13.7	0.076	+15	170	-
384	Burdigala	11 09.1	12.1	1.331	+17	180	1	>17	>0.03
527	Euryanthe	11 11.0	13.7	1.661	+4	165	-
546	Herodias	11 11.2	13.0	1.544	+28	169	1	10.4	0.07
437	Rhodia	11 16.1	12.9	1.246	+25	173	1	56	0.38
1385	Gelria	11 18.1	14.0	1.532	+10	170	-		0.36
4132	Bartok	12 19.6	13.9	0.925	-24	132	-
189	Phthia	12 25.0	12.4	1.461	+15	172	1	>15	>0.2

3.5 Low phase angle/opposition opportunities

Prepared by Richard Miles based on data derived from the Minor Planet Center MPCORB database by Brian Warner. Asteroids selected based on the following criteria: PhA<0.20 deg, V<14.5; PhA<0.40 deg, <13.0

Asteroid	Asteroid	Opposition	Minimum	V
Number	Name	Date	Phase Angle	Mag	Dec.	Period	Amplitude
		m d				h	mag
462	Eriphyla	01 08.7	0.16	13.1	+22	8.64	0.14-0.25
4179	Toutatis	01 25.0	0.03	14.2	+19	176	1.1
301	Bavaria	02 08.8	0.15	13.7	+15	12.24	0.24
824	Anastasia	02 11.7	0.15	14.5	+14	24	0.08
733	Mocia	03 02.3	0.15	13.3	+7	11.35	0.29
664	Judith	03 14.9	0.12	14.1	+3	10.76	0.4
75	Eurydike	03 15.4	0.20	13.6	+3	5.357	0.12
29	Amphitrite