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Pluto System Occults UCAC 2603 9859

June 12, 2006, 16h 25min UTC

The Web site:

http://www.iota-es.de/pluto384.html

General overview

The Pluto system will occult the star UCAC 2603 9859 (15mag) on June 12th, 2006 around 16h 25min UTC, as first pointed out by Dave Herald (WINOCCULT, DE405) and Jean Lecacheux in early March. A new prediction for this important occultation has been done by Bruno Sicardy, Observatoire d Paris/Meudon using DE413 and an improved ephemeris of P1 and P2. The main visibility areas of the occultation by Pluto itself will be New Zealand, Tasmania, southern Australia and Reunion.

Even more important, following the discovery of the recently discovered small satellites P2, an occultation of this small body will take place about 1000km north of Pluto's occultation track.

The scientific goals of an observation of this important occultation are:

For Pluto,

to determine the atmospheric static conditions (Temperature, Pressure etc.) and to compare it with data from past occultations, to get an idea of the development of Pluto's atmosphere during the loss of energy due to the increasing distance from the sun.

to determine winds in Pluto's atmosphere by a possible measurement of a central flash from Tasmania or New Zealand.

For P2 and other possible objects as well

to determine the diameter of P2

to determine the mean density of P2

to determine a possible ring system around Pluto

The results are of special interest to the New Horizons mission to Pluto, because possible smaller bodies and/or a ring system around Pluto may have a significant impact on the mission.

In order to observe the small satellite P2 by this occultation, a lot of stations are necessary. The approximate diameter of P2 is only around 100 km. So it will be a real challenge. Everybody in the area of Central and Southern Australia, Tasmania but also on Reunion is encouraged to observe! IOTA-ES will try to coordinate together with other organizations as well the preparations and obervations for the event. Obervations by the team around Bruno Sicardy are planned in Tasmania and New Zealand.