Pluto is the last of the currently acknowledged planets of our Solar System. In Greek mythology Pluto was the king of the Underworld known as Hades, and is aptly named because of its huge distant. The actual name is thought to mean “The Wealthy One”, derived from the Greek word, ploutos, hence the use of modern words like plutocracy - meaning the government ruled by the wealthy elite. Pluto is seen as wealthy because of the living’s life debt - everything born of the earth will eventually return the underworld. In Greek and Roman times this was ritualised by placing a coin or coins on the tongue of someone who had died before burial. It was believed the enacting the needed payment to the ferryman, Charon, so that the person who died could cross the river Styx and enter the underworld and the afterlife.
Pluto was discovered by the American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh as a faint 15th (17.0p) magnitudde ‘star’ at 4pm. on 18th February 1930. It was found by accident within a field 40 arc minutes from the yellowish 3.5 magnitude star Wasat / δ Geminorum. Almost a week later, after carefully rechecking the results, taking more images, and confirming the planet visually, an announcement was made to the world of Pluto’s discovery on 25th February 1930. Pluto was first imaged here on the 23rd and 29th January 1930 using two different photographic plates taken with the 35cm (13-inch) f/5 astro-camera at Lowell Observatory in the high desert country in Flagstaff, Arizona.
PLUTO DATADiscoverer : Clyde Tombaugh Discovey Date : 18th February 1930 Satellites : 3 Diameter : 2 302 km. Period (P) : 247.92065 years Synodic Period : 366.7 days Orbital Velocity : 4.749± kms-1 Eccentricity (e) : 0.248 83 Inclination (i) : 17.140 o Mass : 1.314±0.018 × 1022 kg. Mean Density : 1.85 g.cm-3 Mean Distance (a) : 5.906 4± x1012 km. / 39.482 A.U. Min. Distance : 4.44 4± x1012 km. / 29.7 A.U. Max. Distance : 7.38 4± x1012 km. / 49.3 A.U. Sidereal Rotation : -6.3867 days Day Length : 6.387 days Maximum Diameter : 0.13 arcsec Minimum Diameter : 0.08 arcsec Maximum Magnitude : 13.7 Atmosphere : N2 CH4, CO |
Although the Pluto’s discovery was really being ‘in the right place at the right time’, in truth it was found under a specific planetary search program for any possible Trans-Neptunian planets. At the time, there was the suspicion of the existence of one main planet or planets beyond the orbit of Neptune, that were called Planet-X (and other letters of the alphabet for any additional unknown planets.) This belief was based on the small effects of perturbations - being significant influences planetary gravitational forces in the solar system. These small anomalies caused major problems in predicting, as in this case, by the small gravitational influences of Uranus and Neptune. For example, understanding these small perturbations was pivotal evidence for the discovery of Neptune, which was found by mathematical calculations of observations of Uranus. At the time of Neptune’s discovery this prediction was heralded as the greatest achievement of science in the mid-19th Century.
On the day of the discovery, Tombaugh was using the image device known as a blink-comparator, which alternatively blinks between the two different images. Any object remaining fixed in position was likely a star, and those which showed changed position were real moving solar system bodies. It soon became evident from the very pedestrian movement against the background stars that this body was placed in the farthest depths of our Solar System.
Pluto takes some 247.9 to just orbit once - two years shorter than the often quote period of 249.9 years that once stood for decades. At an average distance of some 39.5 A.U. or 5.7 billion kilometres from the Sun moving at the slow orbital velocity of about 17.1 km.sec-1. Also because of the highly elliptical orbit can be as close as 29.7 A.U. at perihelion (05th September 1989 AD in Libra), or as far away as 49.3 A.U. at aphelion (21st August 2113 AD in Cetus). During the aphelion, Pluto drops by about 2 to 2&189; magnitudes and is about two-thirds the size compared to when it is closest to the Sun. Today’s observers have been lucky to live during a time when Pluto is easiest and brightest to observe, for about 50 years around 2113 AD, the planet will require at least an aperture of 40cm to see.
For many years there was much uncertainty on the true diameter, as Pluto appeared stellar-like even in the largest of telescopes. Presently Pluto (2006) has been estimated by JPL to be some 2 302 kilometres in diameter, which very slightly larger than the often earlier quoted 2 274 km. Some other texts sometimes quote the rougher estimate of 2 500 km.
Unlike most of the planets, Pluto is also highly inclined to the ecliptic, who tilt is 17.1o. Temperatures in this region of space are very cold without the warmth of the Sun, so we find the surface temperature is a chilly -233o to -223o Celcius or just 40o or just 50oK above absolute zero.
Very little is known about Pluto since first discovered, but we expect that the dedicated interplanetary spacecraft, called New Horizons will certainly give far more information than the rather poor knowledge we have today (2006). Sadly this spacecraft was only launched on 19th January 2006 and isn’t expected to arrive until 14th July 2015 - so we have sometime to wait till further good images or new secrets are revealed.
Spectroscopy and rare planetary occultations by stars have shown Pluto does have a weak tenuous methane atmosphere extending perhaps to almost 40% of the planet’s radius. At present this tiny planet lies nearest to the Sun (perihelion) and at this distance from the Sun the temperatures reach c.-220oC, but when the planet is placed at aphelion, this methane is likely freeze as a solid. So perhaps this atmosphere may be only temporary. Discovery of this was made late in 1988 by carefully making photoelectric observations during the time when the planet was being occultated by a star. As for the surface features, the best so far has been obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST.) These were made between late June to early July 1994 and imaged nearly the entire surface using the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Faint Object Camera (FOC). (See one of these images of Pluto in pixelated above.) Although the resolution is poor, down to about 200 kilometres, there is clear evidence of a dozen or so patches of brighter regions intermixed with a slightly darker surface.
When at opposition, Pluto is looks like a faint 14th magnitude star, and so something like a 25cm (10-inch) telescope is needed to observe it. However, some keen-eyed amateurs have claimed to have glimpsed it with 20cm. Although the view of Pluto is frankly disappointing, any amateur that see the planet once or twice in their observing career should considered themselves as reaching a desired personal goal. The planet presently subtends somewhere between 0.13″ and 0.14″ arcsecs, and for all intents and purposes remains unresolvable through amateur telescopes. Pluto itself now has the average polar tilt of -34.5o to the ecliptic, but is well positioned for southern observers over the next few decades.
There has been in the last decade some significant debate whether Pluto should be classified as a true planet, an asteroid, even a comet; mainly because of it relatively small size. This question has now extended if Pluto should be considered a planet at all. The matter has been raised mainly because of the many hundreds of trans-Plutonian bodies or KBO’s (Kuiper Belt Objects) that have been discovered since 1996. Pluto is now considered as an example of a KBO. During 2003 this story has been made far more complicated with the discovery of the trans-plutonian KBO 2003 UB 313, which itself is slightly larger than Pluto. Some have already labelled it as the 10th Planet.
Although now popularly nicknamed Xena, this name is almost certainly tentative. The body will almost certainly retain a true classic Greek mythological name, which I likely guess it shall be known as Persephone. Suitably, she is in Greek mythology the goddess of the Underworld, being the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. In Roman mythology she is known as Proserpine. Her name is also apt for astronomers, as the derivation implies the “one who destroys all light.”
Like Pluto, however, the accepted planetary status of these bodies may be also be changed in August 2006. Here the I.A.U. who controls the naming of all celestial bodies will decide their fate during a scheduled meeting in the Czech capital Prague. Soon we may have either eight or ten planets in the Solar System. If this same international jury rules against this possibility, then Pluto prominence as a planet may be simply stripped - leaving just eight official planets in our Solar System. In the meantime, the actual number of planets does remain in flux - making difficulties for those teaching astronomy to children or those writing astronomical books!
On 07th June 1978, Charon was discovered J.W. Christy of the U.S. Naval Observatory while imaging Pluto with the 1.8m telescope at Flagstaff Arizona Later, previous images were found, showing the unrecorded new moon. Clearly, one of the major problems in observing Charon is that the separation is only small. It averages just under 1 arcsec, requiring advanced techniques to see it, and is all but invisible to amateur’s eyes. Throughout Pluto’s long elliptical orbit around the Sun, the separation can be anywhere between 0.6 and 1.1 arcsec. Charon was later first clearly resolved by the planetary camera of the Hubble Space Telescope in October 1990. This unexpected faint 17.8v magnitude moon was soon named after the Greek mythological ferryman who transports the dead across the river Acheron and into the underworld of Hades.
Orbiting in 6.2 days at the distance of 19 570 kilometres, Charon’s diameter was first estimated to be small, but when Charon was observed during a rare star occultation on 07th April 1980, this measure of Charon’s diameter proved to be much larger than expected, being some 1 210±10 kilometres across being frequently quoted today (2006). More recently, the JPL estimates find a slightly smaller 1186 ±26 km across. Charon roughly contains about 12% the mass of Pluto’s and similarly has a low density of about 1.85 5.5 g.cm-3. Earth is about 5.5 g.cm-3.
Charon, like the Earth’s Moon is locked in synchronous orbit, always displaying the same face towards Pluto. Hence the rotation of Charon equals the 6.2 day rotation period of Pluto. As the mass ratio is about 12%, the gravitational pivot of the orbit between the two bodies occurs somewhere between Pluto and Charon. Due to this proximity this would make the system more like a ‘double planet’, than the usual planet/moon system.
Charon’s orbit is significantly inclined at 94.9o ecliptic, and like the Uranian axis, rings and moons orbits, can be edgewise to the observer or wide open. Edge-wise orbit crossings, when occultations and eclipses or possible, will happen twice during Pluto’ 247-odd year orbital period. The previous crossings occurred in 26th December 1987 and 18th April 1988, and the next will not be until 05th April 2110 and 30th November 2111 AD. The orbit appears more oval between these times, being next at its widest in 2048 AD.
Both these new Plutonian moons were announced on the 31st October 2005, being found by a collaboration of astronomers using the HST planetary camera while imaging Pluto. They were known under the provisional named IAU’s designations as S/2005 P1 and S/2005 P2, until the 23rd June 2006 when after a spirited debate they were named by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) as Nix and Hydra whose announcement was made in the IAU Circulars No. 8625. Nix in Greek mythology was the goddess of night, who bore the brighter moon Charon, who was the ferryman that transports the dead across the river Styx to reach the Underworld. Hydra was a nine-headed serpent creature who carefully guards the main entrance to the Underworld from intruders or those wishing to escape.
Once astronomers looked at the earlier HST images taken on 14th June 2002, they found these same moons. This proved helpful in establish the orbital parameters of these new moons, whose respective distances are 48 700 and 64 800 kilometres from Pluto, whose mutual orbital periods are 24.86 and 38.21 days. These two new outer moons are very similar in size, about 90 km. in diameter. Like Charon, they orbit in the same orbital plane, whose inclinations are c.96o to the ecliptic.
Discovery of these moons may have implications for Pluto. As no other of the Kuiper belt bodies has more than one moon, this might finally save Pluto its planetary membership. No doubt we will learn much about these new moons during the New Horizons one billion ($A) spacecraft fly-by in 2015 now en-route.
Telescopic observers can identify the planet in Serpens, very close to the intersecting borders of Serpens, Sagittarius and Ophiuchus - being well positioned nearly overhead for most southern observers. However finding Pluto is quite difficult because it appears as a faint 14th magnitude star that is currently placed within the light Milky Way. Due to this placement Pluto is probably best found using some suitable field chart - being best seen roughly from mid-2006 to mid-2020 between March and August.
In 2005 Pluto can be quickly found as long as you have a
finder chart and identify the yellow 3.5 magnitude star ξ Ser /
Xi Serpentis. During 2005, Pluto is roughly west of the star, whose
looped motion by the end of 2005, places the planet about
28′S of the ξ Ser.
During August 2005, Pluto will be at its furthest distance from
ξ Ser, being some 2.8oW.
Pluto can now be found for most of the year in the non-zodical constellation of Serpens, but by 23rd September it will pass into Ophiuchus and on the 3rd December into Sagittarius - a very rare constellation transition for such a slow moving planet so close to the three intersecting borders. Still positioned well for all southern observers, Pluto is probably best seen during mid-2006 between March and August close to opposition. The eastern stationary point occurs on the 29th March, while the western stationary point is 04th September.
Locating it is still difficult because of its Pluto’s
current placement within the Milky Way, made more difficult from
the maximum 13.9v magnitude. Pluto can be best found telescopically
using a suitable field chart or observing the same location again
one or two nights later to see some movement. Perhaps the best time
for positive identification is on Jul 17 or 18, when 13.9 magnitude
Pluto can be found some 21.5 arcmin south of the 3.5 magnitude
&Sep; Ser / Xi Sepentis. This again happens on October 19, but
instead is 50 arcmin south of ξ Ser.
Four close approaches ideal for identification will occur during
June and August 2006.
(1) 07th June 05h UT (07th June 17h AEST), when Pluto passes some 58 arcsec south of a bluish 11.1 magnitude star.
(2) 08th June 22h UT (09th June 08h AEST), Pluto will be 1.5 arcmin south of a yellow 10.4v magnitude.
(3) 16th June 10h UT (16th June 22h AEST) the 10.6 star, T2-6248221 1, passing 30 arcsec north of the planet. This latter close stellar encounter is very ideally placed for Australia and south-east Asia observers, being fairly close to the meridian at the tiime of observation.
(4) 09th August 10h UT (08th Aug 12h AEST) This is one of the closest stellar approaches in 2006. Here Pluto is merely 2.1 arcsec from the yellowish 10.2v magnitude star, HD 159547.
****************************************************** OPPOSITION : 17 Jun 2006 CONJUNCTION : 19 Dec 2006 CONSTELLATIONS: SERPENS, OPHIUCHUS and SAGITTARIUS ****************************************************** Date RA Dec. Vis Diam Tilt Dist Elong Con 0hUT hh mm.m o ′ mag ″ o A.U. o ****************************************************** 14 Jan 17 40.8 -15 54 14.0 0.10 -36 35.08 029 Ser 28 Jan 17 42.7 -15 54 14.0 0.10 -37 34.93 043 Ser 11 Feb 17 44.2 -15 54 14.0 0.10 -37 34.74 056 Ser 25 Feb 17 45.4 -15 53 14.0 0.11 -37 34.52 070 Ser 11 Mar 17 46.2 -15 51 14.0 0.11 -38 34.27 084 Ser 25 Mar 17 46.6 -15 49 14.0 0.11 -38 34.01 097 Ser 08 Apr 17 46.5 -15 48 14.0 0.11 -38 33.77 111 Ser 22 Apr 17 46.0 -15 45 13.9 0.11 -38 33.55 125 Ser 06 May 17 45.2 -15 43 13.9 0.11 -37 33.36 138 Ser 20 May 17 44.0 -15 42 13.9 0.11 -37 33.22 152 Ser 03 Jun 17 42.6 -15 42 13.9 0.11 -37 33.13 165 Ser 17 Jun 17 41.1 -15 42 13.9 0.11 -37 33.11 172 Ser 01 Jul 17 39.6 -15 43 13.9 0.11 -36 33.15 164 Ser 15 Jul 17 38.2 -15 45 13.9 0.11 -36 33.24 151 Ser 29 Jul 17 37.1 -15 48 13.9 0.11 -36 33.40 138 Ser 12 Aug 17 36.2 -15 51 14.0 0.11 -35 33.60 125 Ser 26 Aug 17 35.7 -15 56 14.0 0.11 -35 33.83 111 Ser 09 Sep 17 35.6 -16 00 14.0 0.11 -35 34.09 098 Ser 23 Sep 17 35.9 -16 05 14.0 0.11 -35 34.36 084 Ser 07 Oct 17 36.6 -16 10 14.0 0.11 -35 34.62 071 Oph 21 Oct 17 37.8 -16 15 14.0 0.10 -36 34.86 057 Oph 04 Nov 17 39.3 -16 20 14.0 0.10 -36 35.06 044 Oph 18 Nov 17 41.1 -16 24 14.0 0.10 -36 35.22 031 Oph 02 Dec 17 43.1 -16 27 14.0 0.10 -37 35.33 018 Oph 16 Dec 17 45.2 -16 30 14.0 0.10 -37 35.38 007 Sgr 30 Dec 17 47.4 -16 32 14.0 0.10 -38 35.37 013 Sgr ******************************************************
****************************************************** OPPOSITION : 19 Jun 2007 CONJUNCTION : 21 Dec 2007 CONSTELLATION: SAGITTARIUS ****************************************************** Date RA Dec. Vis Diam Tilt Dist Elong Con 0hUT hh mm.m o ′ mag ″ o A.U. o ****************************************************** 13 Jan 17 49.4 -16 33 14.0 0.10 -38 35.29 026 Sgr 27 Jan 17 51.3 -16 33 14.0 0.10 -38 35.16 039 Sgr 10 Feb 17 53.0 -16 33 14.0 0.10 -39 34.98 053 Sgr 24 Feb 17 54.3 -16 31 14.0 0.10 -39 34.76 067 Sgr 10 Mar 17 55.2 -16 30 14.0 0.11 -39 34.52 080 Sgr 24 Mar 17 55.7 -16 28 14.0 0.11 -39 34.27 094 Sgr 07 Apr 17 55.7 -16 26 14.0 0.11 -39 34.02 108 Sgr 21 Apr 17 55.3 -16 25 14.0 0.11 -39 33.79 121 Sgr 05 May 17 54.5 -16 24 14.0 0.11 -39 33.59 135 Sgr 19 May 17 53.4 -16 23 13.9 0.11 -39 33.43 149 Sgr 02 Jun 17 52.1 -16 23 13.9 0.11 -39 33.34 162 Sgr 16 Jun 17 50.6 -16 23 13.9 0.11 -38 33.30 172 Sgr 30 Jun 17 49.1 -16 24 13.9 0.11 -38 33.32 167 Sgr 14 Jul 17 47.7 -16 26 13.9 0.11 -38 33.40 155 Sgr 28 Jul 17 46.4 -16 29 13.9 0.11 -37 33.54 142 Sgr 11 Aug 17 45.5 -16 32 14.0 0.11 -37 33.73 128 Sgr 25 Aug 17 44.9 -16 36 14.0 0.11 -37 33.96 115 Sgr 08 Sep 17 44.7 -16 44 14.0 0.11 -37 34.21 101 Sgr 22 Sep 17 44.9 -16 45 14.0 0.11 -37 34.48 088 Sgr 06 Oct 17 45.5 -16 50 14.0 0.10 -37 34.74 074 Sgr 20 Oct 17 46.6 -16 54 14.1 0.10 -37 34.99 061 Sgr 03 Nov 17 48.0 -16 58 14.1 0.10 -37 35.21 047 Sgr 17 Nov 17 49.7 -17 02 14.1 0.10 -38 35.38 034 Sgr 01 Dec 17 51.7 -17 05 14.1 0.10 -38 35.50 021 Sgr 15 Dec 17 53.8 -17 07 14.0 0.10 -39 35.57 009 Sgr 29 Dec 17 56.0 -17 09 14.0 0.10 -39 35.57 010 Sgr ******************************************************
******************************************************
PLUTO 2008
******************************************************
OPPOSITION : 21 Jun 2008
CONJUNCTION : 22 Dec 2008
CONSTELLATION: SAGITTARIUS
******************************************************
Date RA Dec. Vis Diam Tilt Dist Elong Con
0hUT hh mm.m o ′ mag ″ o A.U. o
******************************************************
12 Jan 17 58.0 -17 10 14.1 0.10 -40 35.51 022 Sgr
26 Jan 18 00.0 -17 10 14.1 0.10 -40 35.39 036 Sgr
09 Feb 18 01.7 -17 09 14.1 0.10 -40 35.22 049 Sgr
23 Feb 18 03.1 -17 08 14.1 0.10 -41 35.01 063 Sgr
08 Mar 18 04.1 -17 07 14.1 0.10 -41 34.78 077 Sgr
22 Mar 18 04.6 -17 05 14.0 0.11 -41 34.52 091 Sgr
05 Apr 18 04.8 -17 04 14.0 0.11 -41 34.27 104 Sgr
19 Apr 18 04.5 -17 08 14.0 0.11 -41 34.03 118 Sgr
03 May 18 03.8 -17 02 14.0 0.11 -41 33.83 132 Sgr
17 May 18 02.8 -17 01 14.0 0.11 -41 33.66 145 Sgr
31 May 18 01.5 -17 01 13.9 0.11 -40 33.55 159 Sgr
14 Jun 18 00.0 -17 02 13.9 0.11 -40 33.50 171 Sgr
28 Jun 17 58.5 -17 03 13.9 0.11 -40 33.50 171 Sgr
12 Jul 17 57.1 -17 05 13.9 0.11 -39 33.57 158 Sgr
26 Jul 17 55.8 -17 08 14.0 0.11 -39 33.70 145 Sgr
09 Aug 17 54.8 -17 11 14.0 0.11 -39 33.88 132 Sgr
23 Aug 17 54.1 -17 15 14.0 0.11 -39 34.10 118 Sgr
06 Sep 17 53.7 -17 19 14.0 0.11 -39 34.35 105 Sgr
20 Sep 17 53.9 -17 23 14.1 0.11 -39 34.61 091 Sgr
04 Oct 17 54.4 -17 27 14.1 0.10 -39 34.88 078 Sgr
18 Oct 17 55.4 -17 31 14.1 0.10 -39 35.13 064 Sgr
01 Nov 17 56.7 -17 35 14.1 0.10 -39 35.36 051 Sgr
15 Nov 17 58.4 -17 38 14.1 0.10 -39 35.54 037 Sgr
29 Nov 18 00.3 -17 41 14.1 0.10 -40 35.68 024 Sgr
13 Dec 18 02.4 -17 43 14.1 0.10 -40 35.76 011 Sgr
27 Dec 18 04.5 -17 44 14.1 0.10 -41 35.78 007 Sgr
******************************************************
****************************************************** OPPOSITION : 23 Jun 2009 CONJUNCTION : 25 Dec 2009 CONSTELLATION: SAGITTARIUS ****************************************************** Date RA Dec. Vis Diam Tilt Dist Elong Con 0hUT hh mm.m o ′ mag ″ o A.U. o ****************************************************** 10 Jan 18 06.6 -17 45 14.1 0.10 -41 35.73 019 Sgr 24 Jan 18 08.6 -17 45 14.1 0.10 -41 35.63 033 Sgr 07 Feb 18 10.3 -17 44 14.1 0.10 -42 35.47 046 Sgr 21 Feb 18 11.8 -17 43 14.1 0.10 -42 35.27 060 Sgr 07 Mar 18 12.9 -17 42 14.1 0.10 -42 35.04 074 Sgr 21 Mar 18 13.5 -17 40 14.1 0.10 -42 34.79 087 Sgr 04 Apr 18 13.8 -17 39 14.1 0.11 -43 34.53 101 Sgr 18 Apr 18 13.6 -17 38 14.0 0.11 -42 34.29 115 Sgr 02 May 18 13.0 -17 38 14.0 0.11 -42 34.08 128 Sgr 16 May 18 12.0 -17 37 14.0 0.11 -42 33.90 142 Sgr 30 May 18 10.8 -17 38 14.0 0.11 -42 33.77 155 Sgr 13 Jun 18 09.4 -17 39 13.9 0.11 -42 33.70 168 Sgr 27 Jun 18 07.9 -17 40 13.9 0.11 -41 33.70 173 Sgr 11 Jul 18 06.4 -17 43 14.0 0.11 -41 33.75 162 Sgr 25 Jul 18 05.1 -17 45 14.0 0.11 -41 33.86 149 Sgr 08 Aug 18 04.0 -17 48 14.0 0.11 -40 34.03 135 Sgr 22 Aug 18 03.2 -17 52 14.0 0.11 -40 34.24 122 Sgr 05 Sep 18 02.8 -17 56 14.1 0.11 -40 34.49 108 Sgr 19 Sep 18 02.8 -18 00 14.1 0.10 -40 34.75 094 Sgr 03 Oct 18 03.3 -18 03 14.1 0.10 -40 35.02 081 Sgr 17 Oct 18 04.1 -18 07 14.1 0.10 -40 35.28 067 Sgr 31 Oct 18 05.4 -18 10 14.1 0.10 -41 35.51 054 Sgr 14 Nov 18 07.0 -18 13 14.1 0.10 -41 35.71 040 Sgr 28 Nov 18 08.8 -18 15 14.1 0.10 -41 35.86 027 Sgr 12 Dec 18 10.8 -18 17 14.1 0.10 -42 35.95 013 Sgr 26 Dec 18 13.0 -18 18 14.1 0.10 -42 35.99 005 Sgr ******************************************************
******************************************************
OPPOSITION : 26 Jun 2010
CONJUNCTION : 27 Dec 2010
CONSTELLATION: SAGITTARIUS
******************************************************
Date RA Dec. Vis Diam Tilt Dist Elong Con
0hUT hh mm.m o ′ mag ″ o A.U. o
******************************************************
09 Jan 18 15.1 -18 18 14.1 0.10 -42 35.96 016 Sgr
23 Jan 18 17.1 -18 18 14.1 0.10 -43 35.87 029 Sgr
06 Feb 18 18.9 -18 17 14.1 0.10 -43 35.72 043 Sgr
20 Feb 18 20.4 -18 16 14.1 0.10 -44 35.53 057 Sgr
06 Mar 18 21.6 -18 15 14.1 0.10 -44 35.30 070 Sgr
20 Mar 18 22.4 -18 14 14.1 0.10 -44 35.06 084 Sgr
03 Apr 18 22.7 -18 12 14.1 0.10 -44 34.80 098 Sgr
17 Apr 18 22.6 -18 12 14.1 0.11 -44 34.56 111 Sgr
01 May 18 22.1 -18 11 14.0 0.11 -44 34.33 125 Sgr
15 May 18 21.3 -18 11 14.0 0.11 -44 34.15 139 Sgr
29 May 18 20.1 -18 12 14.0 0.11 -43 34.01 152 Sgr
12 Jun 18 18.7 -18 13 14.0 0.11 -43 33.92 166 Sgr
26 Jun 18 17.2 -18 15 14.0 0.11 -43 33.90 175 Sgr
10 Jul 18 15.7 -18 18 14.0 0.11 -43 33.94 165 Sgr
24 Jul 18 14.4 -18 20 14.0 0.11 -42 34.04 152 Sgr
07 Aug 18 13.2 -18 23 14.0 0.11 -42 34.20 138 Sgr
21 Aug 18 12.3 -18 27 14.1 0.11 -42 34.40 125 Sgr
04 Sep 18 11.8 -18 30 14.1 0.11 -42 34.64 111 Sgr
18 Sep 18 11.7 -18 34 14.1 0.10 -42 34.90 098 Sgr
02 Oct 18 12.1 -18 37 14.1 0.10 -42 35.17 084 Sgr
16 Oct 18 12.8 -18 41 14.1 0.10 -42 35.43 071 Sgr
30 Oct 18 14.0 -18 44 14.1 0.10 -42 35.67 057 Sgr
13 Nov 18 15.5 -18 46 14.1 0.10 -42 35.88 043 Sgr
27 Nov 18 17.3 -18 48 14.1 0.10 -43 36.04 030 Sgr
11 Dec 18 19.3 -18 49 14.1 0.10 -43 36.15 016 Sgr
25 Dec 18 21.4 -18 50 14.1 0.10 -43 36.20 005 Sgr
******************************************************
- 2011 -
******************************************************
08 Jan 18 23.5 -18 50 14.1 0.10 -44 36.18 013 Sgr
******************************************************
**************************************** Opposition Conjunction Nearest Approach dd mon year dd mon year dd mon year **************************************** 14 Jun 2005 | 16 Dec 2005 | 12 Jun 2005 17 Jun 2006 | 19 Dec 2006 | 15 Jun 2006 19 Jun 2007 | 21 Dec 2007 | 17 Jun 2007 21 Jun 2008 | 22 Dec 2008 | 19 Jun 2008 23 Jun 2009 | 25 Dec 2009 | 21 Jun 2009 26 Jun 2010 | 27 Dec 2010 | 24 Jun 2010 ****************************************
The user applying this data for any purpose forgoes any liability against the author. None of the information should be used for regarding either legal or medical purposes. Although the data is accurate as possible some errors might be present. The onus of its use is place solely with the user.
