Sorry for the very late notice all, if your interested in seeing this.....
> POSSIBLE RARE ASTEROID OCCULTATION OF NAKED EYE STAR TUESDAY EVENING
>
> At around 2032 UT on Tuesday evening, November 03, the small (6km)
> main belt asteroid (31867) 2000 EG94 is predicted to occult the
> naked
> eye star alpha Aquarii (HIP 109074, magnitude 3.0). The event *may*
> be seen from somewhere in southern England. From central southern
> England, the star will be at an elevation of 36º, in azimuth 203º
> (SSW).
>
> The maximum duration will be only 0.4 seconds, but the star will
> disappear completely, although with the relative angular sizes of
> the star and asteroid, diffraction effects may make the event
> gradual.
>
> This astrometric update, made early today, shows the narrow shadow
> track crossing central Republic of Ireland, central Wales (from near
> Aberystwyth), parts of Herefordshire, Worcs, Gloucs, Oxon, Bucks,
> Herts, Greater London, and north Kent. However, the uncertainty in
> the track position is rather large and the track may shift to
> anywhere south of a line from NI, IoM, Lancs to Lincs; (two standard
> deviations).
>
> More detailed information, with links to a track map and star charts
> can be found here:-
>
>
asteroidoccultation.com/2009_11/1103_31867_23064.htm
>
> Another useful map of the UK showing the track and the area of
> uncertainty is on the following page (with other occultations):-
>
>
call4obs.iota-es.de/
>
> At the time of writing, the usual source of Google maps showing the
> track has not been updated to show this event, but it may be before
> the event:-
>
>
www.poyntsource.com/New/Global.htm
>
> Obviously this star will be visible to the naked eye, but for more
> reliable observation, binoculars or a telescope are preferable.
> Systems with the capability of video recording and timing the event
> would be just perfect!
>
> Scientifically valuable information can be obtained from accurate
> timings of the disappearance *and* reappearance of occulted stars.
> A single positive timing can yield a position relative to the star
> of
> several times higher precision than standard astrometry. Combined
> timings from observers distributed across the track can yield the
> size and shape of the asteroid. It could be useful to know that the
> star was occulted without an accurate timing, to help tie down the
> track.
>
> Observers wishing to make serious *visual* timings (to better than 1
> second) will need a multi-lap stopwatch or a tape/digital voice
> recorder linked with an accurate UT time signal. Those with video,
> CCD, or webcam systems sensitive enough to record the events, will
> need some method of accurately time-stamping the events, or
> otherwise relating them to UT. Integrating CCDs can be used in fast
> frame readout or 'drift scan' mode.
>
> Serious timings of a positive occultation would be welcomed by the
> undersigned, as would definite negative events from anywhere within
> the wider uncertainty track. It is normal practice to observe or
> record for 2 minutes either side of the predicted occultation time
> above, although the formal time uncertainty is expected to be only a
> few seconds. A specimen report form can be found here:-
>
>
astrosurf.com/eaon/Report%20form.htm
>
> Please email any reports to me, or contact me if you need assistance
> with timing methods or completing the form. The required accurate
> latitude and longitude (WGS84 datum) can be obtained from the Google
> Map above (if available, at the highest zoom level on the
> 'Satellite'
> view), before or after the event. Elevation above Mean Sea Level is
> also required, preferably from an OS map.
>
> Apologies for the short notice about this rare event but I was
> not able to check my emails until tonight.
>
> Good luck and clear skies!
>
> Andrew Elliott
>
> Assistant Director (Occultations), Asteroids and Remote Planets
> Section
> Email: ae [at] f2s [dot] com
>
> 2009 November 02
>
Keith..
