Predicted Occultations by Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: 1985-1990

Douglas J. Mink
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
now at
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Arnold R. Klemola
UCO/Lick Observatory, Board of Studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064

Abstract

Predictions are presented for 54 occultations by Uranus' ring system, 24 occultations by Uranus, 22 occultations by Neptune, and 10 possible occultations by Pluto during the period 1985 through 1990. Notable occultations by Uranus occur 24 May 1985, 16 April 1987, 27 May 1990, 21 June 1990, and 7 August 1990. The best Neptune occultations are on 7 June 1985 and 25 May 1990. Of the Pluto events, there are six which are nominally observable somewhere on the earth, although uncertainties in Pluto's position combined with uncertainties in the star positions preclude prediction of a ground track until just before the events.

Published in 1985 in The Astronomical Journal, Volume 92, pages 1894-1899.