Occultation of Stars

Inanna · 29th June 2007, 10:32 AM

Hi to all!Can any of my friends plz tell me,what exactly is the'occultation' of a star? I saw a video clipping named "Occultation of Iota Cancri".It was wonderful to see it. To be honest,I did n't quite understand what was going on.I know this much that the 'Iota Cancri' is a huge double star of the Cancer constellation.I am told that 'Cancer' is rather pale than two of its neighbouring constellations-Gemini & Leo.Is it because of the fact that "Cancer" contains less bright stars?I mean,is this the only reason for it being pale?

Professor Yaffle · 29th June 2007, 10:38 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occultation

Quote:

An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer. The word is used in astronomy (see below) and can also be used in a general (non-astronomical) sense to describe when an object in the foreground occults (covers up) objects in the background.

http://www.floridastars.org/IOTACAN/iotacancri.pdf - about the specific event you are talking about.

vexed · 29th June 2007, 10:39 AM

Occultation: Occurs when a celestial body seems to disappear because another body passes between it and the observer. A solar eclipse is an occultation of the Sun by the Moon.

http://www.astro.sk/~pribulla/lictor/indexen.html

Don't be afraid of Google. Hope this helps.

wollery · 29th June 2007, 10:59 AM

In answer to the second part of the question, yes Cancer just contains fewer bright stars than its neighbours.

Jimbo07 · 29th June 2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by wollery

In answer to the second part of the question, yes Cancer just contains fewer bright stars than its neighbours.

The Cancer is eating the healthy ones...

BlackKat · 29th June 2007, 11:03 AM

And here I thought was another thread about Tom Cruise

Schneibster · 29th June 2007, 11:32 AM

I think something important got forgotten here.

Occultations are mostly caused by asteroids passing between us and stars. The reason most instances of this type of occultation occur in stars in constellations in the ecliptic is because the constellations in the ecliptic are in the plane of the Solar System. Asteroids don't just go around the Sun any old whichway, they orbit in the same plane as the planets (mostly). For most of the larger, better-known asteroids, like Ceres, or Eros, the times of occultation are known quite a ways in advance, and some amateur astronomers like to watch them happen.

An interesting thing about occultations is that they often, like Solar eclipses, aren't visible from everywhere on Earth. So you'll get a "path" over which the occultation will be seen, but outside that path, you won't see it.

Inanna · 29th June 2007, 12:35 PM

Thank you,all my friends for the nice replies.Have a really nice time.
Inanna

29th June 2007, 10:32 AM	#1
Inanna Scholar Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The plain of Lethe in Hades Posts: 82	Occultation of Stars Hi to all!Can any of my friends plz tell me,what exactly is the'occultation' of a star? I saw a video clipping named "Occultation of Iota Cancri".It was wonderful to see it. To be honest,I did n't quite understand what was going on.I know this much that the 'Iota Cancri' is a huge double star of the Cancer constellation.I am told that 'Cancer' is rather pale than two of its neighbouring constellations-Gemini & Leo.Is it because of the fact that "Cancer" contains less bright stars?I mean,is this the only reason for it being pale?

29th June 2007, 10:38 AM	#2
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 15,337	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occultation Quote: An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer. The word is used in astronomy (see below) and can also be used in a general (non-astronomical) sense to describe when an object in the foreground occults (covers up) objects in the background. http://www.floridastars.org/IOTACAN/iotacancri.pdf - about the specific event you are talking about.
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that. My blog "Well I think I've made it abundantly clear in this thread I have no idea what I'm talking about..." - truethat

29th June 2007, 10:59 AM	#4
wollery Protected by Samurai Hedgehogs! TLA Winner Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Land of Eternal Hope Posts: 10,312	In answer to the second part of the question, yes Cancer just contains fewer bright stars than its neighbours.
	__________________ "You're a sick SOB. You know that, Wollery?" - Roadtoad "Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider!" --George Carlin

29th June 2007, 11:01 AM	#5
Jimbo07 Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,416	Originally Posted by wollery In answer to the second part of the question, yes Cancer just contains fewer bright stars than its neighbours. The Cancer is eating the healthy ones...
Jimbo07 Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,416	__________________ This post approved by your local jPac (Jimbo07 Political Action Committee), also registered with Jimbo07 as the Jimbo07 Equality Rights Knowledge Betterment Action Group. Atoms in supernova explosion get huge business -- Pixie of key

29th June 2007, 11:32 AM	#7
Schneibster Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,966	I think something important got forgotten here. Occultations are mostly caused by asteroids passing between us and stars. The reason most instances of this type of occultation occur in stars in constellations in the ecliptic is because the constellations in the ecliptic are in the plane of the Solar System. Asteroids don't just go around the Sun any old whichway, they orbit in the same plane as the planets (mostly). For most of the larger, better-known asteroids, like Ceres, or Eros, the times of occultation are known quite a ways in advance, and some amateur astronomers like to watch them happen. An interesting thing about occultations is that they often, like Solar eclipses, aren't visible from everywhere on Earth. So you'll get a "path" over which the occultation will be seen, but outside that path, you won't see it.
Schneibster Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,966

29th June 2007, 10:39 AM	#3
vexed Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 314	Occultation: Occurs when a celestial body seems to disappear because another body passes between it and the observer. A solar eclipse is an occultation of the Sun by the Moon. http://www.astro.sk/~pribulla/lictor/indexen.html Don't be afraid of Google. Hope this helps.

29th June 2007, 11:03 AM	#6
BlackKat Path Crosser Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 325	And here I thought was another thread about Tom Cruise

29th June 2007, 12:35 PM	#8
Inanna Scholar Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The plain of Lethe in Hades Posts: 82	Thank you,all my friends for the nice replies.Have a really nice time. Inanna