14 November 2003

Here at SAAO Sutherland (South Africa) we have succeeded in observing the occultation of the star TYC 1343-1615-1 by Titan around 00:10 UT (02:00 local time) on 14 November. The event has been recorded by the SAAO 1 metre telescope with a fast photometer and by the Japanese InfraRed Survey Facility (IRSF).

We are very pleased to report that the SAAO was in the centrality of the event and at ~ 00:15 UT (02:15 local time) we observed the central flash. Ian Glass and Franceca Ferri, using the 1 metre telescope, were able to capture this light curve clearly showing the central flash.

Observed light curve of the occultation

We were somewhat fortunate to view the event as the clouds rolled in soon after the observation was made. A few hours before the occultation we lost contact with other observers spread out along the western coast of South Africa with mobile stations - but it is very probable that they were also able to make good observations.

Francesca Ferri
Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute,
The Open University, UK

South Africa campaign