Occultation of 99 Tauri - 10/2/22

Hello everyone. 

I discovered yesterday on my Guide 9.1 DVD that there is going to be a lunar occultation of the G8 star 99 Tauri tonight (Thursday) 10th February. 
From Dublin the occultation will occur at 18.36 or 18.37.
As it is a G8 star we ought to notice its decent yellow colour - especially at powers 100x or over. 
The star's magnitude is 5.8. 

One the Moon itself Copernicus should be visible close to the terminator. 
We appear to be promised clear skies all day and night today. 

I, for one, will be setting up my William Optics 158mm f/7 apochromatic refractor to see this rather nice occultation.  

Very best regards from Aubrey.    

Hi Aubrey, 

Many thanks for the proverbial 'heads-up'. 

I might try to catch a glimpse of the occultation later on. 

All the best, 

Darren. 

Hi all, 

Following on from Aubrey's suggestion yesterday, I observed the occultation of 99Tauri last night. I had my 10" scope set-up well in advance of the event, and thankfully so, as the primary mirror took a fair bit of time to collimate. 

I began observing from my backgarden at 18:23 UT, and at 18:37 the occultation occurred...real blink of the eye stuff. 

So, thanks a million Aubrey for notifying us of the event. 

Clear skies to all, 

Darren. 

Hello, my dear friend, Darren. 

I'm so delighted you had a successful observation of the lunar occultation of 99 Tauri. I'm also relieved the event did not occur on this Friday night. Otherwise we just wouldn't have seen it. 

Was it your first lunar occultation? Probably wasn't, but I just thought I should ask. 

I was thrilled to see this lunar occultation too. And you and I can agree that 99 Tauri disappeared at 18.37 UT. I also noticed the fairly decent yellow hue of the star. 
I enjoyed seeing Copernicus with its rim fully illuminated with its centre in complete darkness.

Clear skies from Aubrey.    

Oh! And I should have also said I observed the 99 Tauri occultation at 167x. 
I don't believe I have ever used such a high magnification. 
Normally I use 112x.

Clear skies, 

Aubrey.   

Hi Aubrey, 

Many thanks for your messages. I agree with you completely: Copernicus looked magnificent last Thursday.. I was even tempted to sketch it, but felt if I stayed out for a prolonged period I would feel worse...always another time, hey? 

Viewing the occultation at 167X must have looked great. I wanted to have the entire Moon in my FOV during the event - well the lluminated portion of it - so I only went as far 50X. 

It was my second time to observe an occultation... The first one was with your good self and Michael. We were observing from Glencullen during the heavy restrictions, but it wasn't a star, or a dissappearance, but the reappearance of Jupiter. Do you remember it? Does that count as occultation though? Regardless, that was another great night... Some craic if I remember correctly  

Clear skies, 

Darren.