Asteroid (24)Themis

Hi,

This is my first asteroid image. I chose Themis because it was an easy target: bright and approaching M44; Actually, during the next few nights it will pass through it!
My inspiration for asteroid astrometry was Dave McDonald and his remarkable work with J65. Dave, I might need some help, soon

My experience with asteroid occultations suggest that even faint asteroids should be easy targets when they approach the specific star, regardless of the exact path of the shadow: I mean, someone else has done the "dirty job" (Steve Preston, I suppose) and the asteroid WILL be there! Even if the occultation will be visible in Siberia or Algeria, we have a "sitting duck" asteroid target, a couple of hrs before the expected event. Mag 16, 17, 18, 20, whatever. Is that right, Dave?

Vagelis

24-Thetis: GIF Animation www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=4506

Thetis and M44: www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=4507

I edited your post Vagelis so that the links are enclsed by URL rather than IMG. For some reason, your images don't give their full url under the image properties (right click on image and select "properties").

Nice work with the asteroids there. Mind me asking how you created the animated gif?

Hey, Michael, Thanx! I was just trying to edit the post at the same time!
It looks like I have HTML non working.

For the animation, I just used Photoshop (Image Ready application).
First I saved the FITS images as compuserve gifs.

I used Astrometrica for the astrometry stuff, but it really is the beginning and I have a lot to learn. I am still on the manual, chapter one! I might try AIP4WIN later on.

Vagelis

Hi Vagelis
Thats a really nice image.

Thanx John

My inspiration for asteroid astrometry was Dave McDonald and his remarkable work with J65. Dave, I might need some help, soon

Flattery will get you anything you want

After a long spell away, I'm back in the saddle on a beautifully clear night here at J65. Just running thru some galaxy images then I'm after a few space rocks for the MPC and the JPL Dawn Mission.

Let me know if you need a hand.

Cheers
Dave