May 15, 2025

Inconstant Star

Originally published November 18, 2014

video by Robert Sandy by way of Richard P. Wilds

It seems like the star is skimming along the edge of the Moon, but really, as we know, the Moon is the one in rapid motion, with the star as a fixed marker. This occultation near the north pole, just across the Earth side of the Moon, never stops. Although the tallest mountains are at the opposite pole, the passage from Byrd to de Sitter (above and below) transects nearly 4 km in elevation, from the floor of De Sitter M to the unnamed peak on the rim of Byrd. Consider observing some grazes and have some stars wink at you.

Light curve from video, analysis by Richard Wilds

Chuck Wood

Technical Details
Graze of mu Ari on 06/12/07.

Related Links
21st Century Atlas chart L8.

Yesterday's LPOD: Ejecta Deposits

Tomorrow's LPOD: Inconstant Rings

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