Other Activities of the ASF

We also take part in other events with other societies, such as meteor observing with members of the Astronomical Society of Victoria and events such as VASTROC (Victorian Amateur Astronomers Conference). Other activities include:

Lunar grazing occultation field trips to time when bright stars pass behind the mountains of the moon and reappear in its valleys.  This enables the chaotic orbit of the moon and its profile to be refined.  This is performed in collaboration with other regional astronomical societies inVictoria, and with ILOC (Internation Lunar Occultation Committee) and IOTA(International Occultation Timing Association).

Minor planet appulses and occultation field trips to time when a bright star passes behind an asteroid within our solar system.  This enables the size and shape of the asteroid to be established, as well as helping to refine its orbit, and is the most accurate method known for doing this outside of sending a dedicated spacecraft into close orbit.  This is performed in collaboration with the RASNZ (Royal Astronomical Society of NewZealand).

Jovian and Saturnian satellite eclipse timings, when one of Jupiter's or Saturn's moons passes into or out of the planet's shadow.  This enables the chaotic orbits of the moons to be refined.  This is performed incollaboration with the RASNZ and with NASA's JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory).

Lunar Total Occultations to time when bright stars are occulted by the lunar limb.  This enables the chaotic orbit of the moon to be refined. This is performed in collaboration with other regional astronomicalsocieties, and with ILOC. Variable Star magnitude estimates.  This enables the physical nature and classification of certain stars that can vary in brightness with time, for example with intrinsic variable stars, novae, supernovae etc.  This is performed in collaboration with the RASNZ.

Aurorae observation.  The society convenes and runs the Victorian Aurora Network to notify observers when auroral activity is pending during times of increased solar activity.  Reports are sent to the Ionospheric Prediction Service in Australia.

In addition, other collaborations on astronomical phenomena are conducted from time to time upon request from other international organisations, for example in the event of a planetary transit, eclipses etc.

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