Vulcanoid Asteroids - Coordinating Eclipse Observations

up to date plan for Landon Noll

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 13:17:26 -0800

Here is my most up to date plan:

The following image shows my target field of view relative to the Sun during the 29 March 2006 Eclipse 80 km south of the Jalu Oasis in Libya near 28º17’53.5”N (28.2982ºN) - 21º34’10.9”E (21.5697ºE):

The above chart shows stars down to the 12th magnitude. (A 12th magnitude Vulcanoid could be between 3.5km and 10km in diameter). The dashed red line running through the Sun/Moon and the center of the rectangle is the ecliptici. Zenithi is up. The VEq red plus marks the Vernal equinox: the place where the Ecliptic and the Equator (0 deg declination) meet. The magnitude of the brighter stars are marked by 2 or 3 digit numbers. To get the visual magnitude, divide the number by 10.

Landon Noll's target field and 2 cameras

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 10:55:31 -0800

As previously stated:

Landon Noll's vulcanoid target field

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 02:39:46 -0800

Landon Noll's observation plans

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 11:30:34 -0800

I plan to observe the 29 March 2006 Eclipse 80 km south of the Jalu Oasis in Libya near 28º17’53.5”N (28.2982ºN) - 21º34’10.9”E (21.5697ºE).

The duration of totality: is about 04:02 and the Sun Altitude during totality is 62.4º. 2nd contact (start of totality) is about 10:26:49 UTC. 3rd contact (end of totality) is about 10:30:52 UTC.

I will be taking images of Vulcanoids with a Canon 20Da camera. This camera's 3504 x 2336 pixel CMOS sensor is not covered with an IR filter making the camera more suitable for Red/almost-near-IR photography. Vulcanoids should be somewhat brigher as one moves from Red, through the almost-near-IR and into near-IR wavelengths.

I am currently considering the use a EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens. Because the Canon 20Da has a 1.6 focal length multiplier (due to the size of the sensor relative to 35mm film) I will have field of view that is 6.4º wide and 4.3º high.