Occultation Detail Page

The occultation details page aggregates information not only about the event but also about the occulted star and the object and also includes a generic map for this occultation prediction.

Occultation Prediction Circumstances

Organizes specific information and parameters that, in general, are the product of the occultation prediction calculation.

Instant of the closest approach: Date and time of the occultation, in UTC.
Star position (ICRF): Right ascension and declination with assumed proper motion, in ICRF/J2000.
Closest approach: Geocentric closest approach, in arcsec.
Position angle: Planet position angle with respect to star at closest approach, in degrees.
Velocity: Velocity in the plane of the sky. Positive is prograde, negative is retrograde. In km/s.
Geocentric distance: Distance between the object and the Earth's geocenter, at closest approach, in au.
Event duration: Estimate of the event duration, in seconds. Only defined for objects with known diameter.
Star magnitude (Gaia): Star G magnitude from Gaia DR3 catalog.
Moon separation: Moon angular distance to the object, as seen from the Earth's geocenter, in degrees.
Sun elongation: Sun angular distance to the object, as seen from the Earth's geocenter, in degrees.
Creation date: Date and time of the prediction computation.

Occultation Prediction Map

Maps for occultation prediction are not available for all events as they are generated periodically due to the large number of events available. For events where a prediction map does not exist, it is generated on demand when the event prediction details page is loaded. Note that generating the map can take up to a minute.

Maps are generated using the SORA library. To generate personalized and detailed maps, visit the module documentation. When using the map provided in your publications, check the protocols for adequately citing sources as described in this documentation.

Occulted Star

Brings information about the hidden star, generally from the Gaia stellar catalog.

Star astrometric position in catalogue (ICRF): Astrometric right ascension and declination of the star, in ICRF/J2000, in degrees.
Proper motion: Star proper motion in right ascension and declination, in mas/year.
Source of proper motion: Catalog source for proper motion.
Uncertainty in star position: Uncertainty in right ascension and declination position of the star, in mas.
G magnitude (source: Gaia DR3): Star G magnitude.
RP magnitude (source: Gaia DR3): Star RP magnitude.
BP magnitude (source: Gaia DR3): Star BP magnitude.

Object

Brings information about the occulting object. The orbital parameters are sourced from the Minor Planet Center (MPCORB). Diameter, when available, is sourced from the Virtual Observatory Solar system Open Database Network at IMCCE (when using this information in your publications, please check their protocols for adequately citing the source). We also provide links to further information on the object at SsODNet service at IMCCE and Small-Body Database Lookup at JPL/NASA.

Object: Name or provisional designation. Numeration is shown in parenthesis when the object is numbered.
Object's astrometric position (ICRF): Object's astrometric right ascension and declination, in ICRF/J2000.
Absolute magnitude: Absolute magnitude H of the object as defined by the Minor Planet Center.
Apparent magnitude: Apparent magnitude of the object at closest approach instant. Estimated from parameters H and G provided by the Minor Planet Center.
Diameter: Diameter of the object, when known. Displayed in kilometers (or meters for small diameters).
Apparent diameter: Apparent diameter of the object on the plane of the sky at closest approach instant, in mas.
Dynamic class (Skybot): Dynamic classification and sub-classification as defined by Skybot (IMCCE).
Semi-major axis: Semi-major axis of the object's orbit, in au.
Eccentricity: Eccentricity of the object's orbit, in degrees.
Inclination: Inclination of the object's orbit, in degrees.
Perihelion: Closest point to the Sun in the object's orbit, in au.
Aphelion: Farthest point to the Sun in the object's orbit, in au.