May 16, 2010 VENUS OCCULTATION
OBSERVATION REPORT
by Henry So
Candaba , Pampanga
Last May 16, 2010,
Astronomical league of the Philippines set up 3
observing groups to observe and document the Venus Moon
occultation.
The ALP
Candaba Team consisting of Henry So, Tommy Tan and
Tommy’s friend Rose went to Candaba Pampanga. They left
manila around 2:30pm and arrived at Candaba at 4:30pm.
Still early at the time of arrival, the group decided to
take a rest and do some nature watching. The sky is
clear and it’s very hot. At around 6pm they started to
check on a possible good spot to set up their equipment
and have a little snack.
At 6:15pm
they were able to find a good spot besides the rice
field where the western view is visible down to 1
degree. There they set up their twin WO ZS 80 II
refractors and a point and shoot camera on photo
tripods and Vixen Porta mount. The group started to
view planet Venus and Moon using their telescopes while
waiting for the sky to get dark. At 6:40pm Henry started
to attach his camera to the telescope in preparation of
taking some photos. Rose used her camera to zoom in too
to take some photo while Tommy stayed on visual to help
them on checking the time of disappearance (Ingress).
By 7:36pm
Ingress was observe and documented at Candaba, in
approximately 2 minutes Venus disappear at the back of
the moon. The group then focus their attention to check
on other deep sky object like Omega Centauri and M44.
Five minutes
before the scheduled reappearance, they started to take
photo again and around 8:16pm Venus reappears and the
Moon is already yellowish red and boiling due to it’s
very low position. Just after Venus’ total reappearance
the moon was block by thin clouds near horizon. Luckily
the occultation event is already finish.
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