Chapter 3: UNUSUAL ASTRONOMICAL

ALIGNMENTS-PART II
C. BRIGHT STARS OCCULTED DURING LUNAR TOTALITY

The following representative bright stars are occulted by a full moon, usually during a two-three week
season. As with solar conjunctions, events occur approximately 1 to 2 days later each century (about 6
months from the periods listed below).
Table 3.8: Brightest Stars Occultation Dates (11 brightest stars lying less than 1.79
degrees from the ecliptic)

Star Mag. Long. & Lat. Date Remarks (during totality)

h Gem var. 92.74 -0.89 degs Dec. 25.1 <1600 >2150 AD
m Gem 3.2 94.60 -0.83 Dec. 27.0 1917 during partial phase
d Gem 3.5 107.82 -0.18 Jan. 8.7 1917, 1936, 1982, 2001, >2150 AD
a Leo 1.3 149.13 +0.46 Feb. 18.4 See caption below
r Leo 3.8 155.69 +0.15 Feb. 24.9 <1600 >2150AD
b Vir 3.8 176.45 +0.69 Mar. 17.6 <1600 >2150AD
a Lib 2.9 224.39 +0.34 May 5.5 1985, 2004, 2050, 2069, 2134
b Sco 2.9 242.49 +1.01 May 24.2 1826, 1845, 1891, 1975, >2150AD
x Sgr 3.6 282.75 +1.67 Jul. 5.4 1936 & 1963 during partial phase
p Sgr 3.0 285.55 +1.44 Jul. 8.3 <1600 >2150 AD
l Aqr 3.8 340.88 -0.39 Sep. 4.0 1979 during partial phase

Table 3.8 list the occultation dates for selected brightest stars that can be occulted by a total lunar
eclipse. During the period 2000-2500 AD, Regulus is occulted within a day of nine total and four partial
lunar eclipses but only once during totality in 2445. Actually, Regulus was occulted by an eclipsed
moon (all types) 15 times between 64-408 AD, 10 times between 864-1162 AD and 1710-1943 AD;
with periodicities of 19 and 65 years.

Date references approximate opposition date (which precesses one to two days per century).
Supplemental Table 3.2S lists all bright star occultations within four hours of mid-point occultation and
mid-totality.

Table 3.9: Bright Stars Occultations During Lunar Totality (2000-2500 A.D.)
Occultation Mid-point Moon at Zenith Totality
Year Date UT Lat/Long UT Lat/LongMag. Star Description

2004 May 4 21h -53/14E 21h -17/52E 1.28 Zubenelgenubi Srn S. Africa
2050 May 6 21 -72/14E 22 -17/22E 1.06 Zubenelgenubi SE Indian Ocean/Antarctica
2134 May 8 9 -35/145W10 -17/152W1.63 Zubenelgenubi SE Pacific Ocean
2420 Jan. 1 11 79/105W 10 23/144W 1.54 Mu Gemini Arctic
2445 Feb. 22 18 -15/94E 15 10/142E 1.66 Regulus S. Central Pacific Ocean, followed again in 65 years
2485 Jan. 1 10 56/156W 9 23/142W 1.31 Mu Gemini N. Central Pacific/Alaska

Table 3.9 lists all occasions from 2000-2500 when stars brighter than 3rd magnitude are occulted by a
total lunar eclipse. Each line gives the approximate Universal time of central occultation (minimum
separation) and mid-totality. Description highlight regional visibility. Note that a close conjunction of
star and partial eclipsed moon will still be visible over more than half the Earth during most events.

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE
TABLE 3.1S
The following list of Bright Planetary-Lunar Occultations or close Conjunctions occur within 4 hours of mid-totality (1 - 4000 A.D.)

DATE TIME(UT) PLANET MAG LAT LONG SEP' ECL LAT LONG REMARKS
04/19/227 03:49 (0h26m) Jupiter -2.5 -73.4 179.3E 51 04:15 -11.1 64.4W
03/08/285 14:12 (0h12m) Jupiter -2.5 -68.9 77.3E 59 14:00 4.5 152.9E
01/27/343 11:23 (2h53m) Jupiter -2.5 -67.3 161.7E 33 08:30 18.2 123.6W
07/23/343 18:05 (2h20m) Saturn 0.0 67.2 68.3E 22 20:25 -20.2 54.4E
12/16/354 17:48 (3h18m) Saturn -0.5 28.8 93.3E 0* 14:30 23.4 142.4E Meeus 15:52 1:22
12/17/400 20:54 (1h44m) Jupiter -2.7 -4.6 49.4E 0* 19:10 23.4 72.7E Meeus 20:25 1:15
11/04/412 21:47 (1h12m) Mars -1.9 -43.9 43.6E 0* 20:35 16.2 47.8E Meeus 21:51 1:`15
10/27/459 18:40 (2h50m) Mars -2.0 35.7 61.4E 0* 14:50 13.6 133.7E
12/29/502 13:03 (2h02m) Saturn -0.5 27.8 163.6E 0* 15:05 23.3 135.3E Meeus 16:02 0:57
06/04/513 06:49 (3h33m) Jupiter -2.7 -20.2 106.1W 0* 10:16 -22.6 155.1W
05/03/524 20:18 (1h42m) Jupiter -2.6 -70.5 86.8W 9* 18:30 -16.6 81.1E Meeus 19:28 0:58
03/25/582 04:59 (0h05m) Jupiter -2.5 -73.8 166.2W 46 05:04 -2.6 74.8W
08/29/611 04:10 (1h00m) Saturn 0.3 60.7 131.5W 83 05:10 -9.0 77.8W
02/13/640 08:07 (1h37m) Jupiter -2.5 -69.1 166.9W 22 06:30 12.7 93.4W
05/18/691 01:46 (2h56m) Saturn 0.0 -69.7 179.2E 32 22:50 -19.9 16.0E
11/23/755 20:44 (1h54m) Jupiter -2.8 53.9 28.6E 0* 18:50 21.2 74.9E Meeus 19:31 0:41
09/21/777 01:35 (3h50m) Jupiter -2.9 57.6 113.6W 40 21:45 0.7 31.8E
08/21/788 18:44 (3h08m) Jupiter -2.9 68.4 22.7E 41 15:36 -10.7 126.2E
07/21/799 17:51 (2h11m) Jupiter -2.9 52.9 62.9E 0* 15:40 -20.3 126.0E Meeus 16:20 0:40
06/20/810 20:55 (1h00m) Jupiter -2.8 -21.4 45.1E 0* 19:55 -23.7 61.2E Meeus 20:32 0:37
05/20/821 23:48 (3h23m) Jupiter -2.6 -40.6 0.5E 0* 20:25 -20.8 52.3E Meeus 21:02 0:37
04/10/879 11:58 (0h48m) Jupiter -2.5 -71.8 65.3E 10* 11:10 -9.2 167.5W Meeus 11:39 0:29
02/17/919 14:07 (3h54m) Saturn 0.2 -70.5 101.3E 63 18:01 10.6 93.7E
02/28/937 04:49 (3h09m) Jupiter -2.5 -70.1 137.5W 16 01:40 6.4 21.8W
01/19/995 19:16 (3h51m) Jupiter -2.6 -12.3 70.0E 0* 15:25 19.5 132.5E Meeus 15:51 0:26
01/09/1042 00:32(3h38m) Jupiter -2.6 -19.7 19.7W 0* 04:10 21.2 59.8W
12/09/1052 01:32(3h17m) Jupiter -2.7 51.3 32.5W 0* 22:15 23.7 25.5E Meeus 22:39 0:24
10/29/1110 09:07(3h43m) Jupiter -2.9 63.8 98.2E 12* 12:50 15.7 163.5E
09/28/1121 02:48(3h07m) Jupiter -2.9 70.0 141.7W 51 05:55 4.5 91.6W
11/15/1407 11:22(1h18m) Jupiter -2.8 64.6 47.8E 13* 12:40 21.0 166.8E Meeus 12:51 0:11
10/14/1418 22:43(0h43m) Jupiter -2.9 70.9 105.0W 14* 22:00 11.2 26.3E Meeus 22:11 0:11
09/13/1429 00:00(0h20m) Jupiter -2.9 59.6 87.5W 60 00:20 -0.3 7.1W
08/13/1440 04:00(2h50m) Jupiter -2.9 70.1 108.0W 3* 06:50 -12.4 101.8W
07/26/1580 12:03(0h58m) Sat-Ura 0.2 31.7 158.8E 0* 11:05 -17.4 164.9W Meeus 11:09 0:04
09/13/1848 09:06(2h44m) Saturn 0.6 72.1 151.7E 82 06:20 -3.7 96.0W
06/17/2076 02:04(0h36m) Saturn -0.1 -67.2 164.4E 18 02:40 19.9 145.8W
07/26/2344 12:06(0h19m) Saturn 0.1 16.8 165.9E 0* 12:25 -19.2 175.4E Meeus 12:42 0:17
11/18/2412 01:03(1h08m) Saturn -0.4 64.8 149.6W 77 23:55 19.4 2.5W
04/26/2488 08:30(0h40m) Mars -1.6 -63.0 116.4E 6* 09:10 -13.8 137.9W Meeus 9:42 0:32
09/02/2612 10:12(0h37m) Saturn 0.5 69.2 143.4E 29 09:35# 8.1 143.5W
06/07/2821 01:33(0h53m) Mars -2.1 62.8 3.1E 67 00:40 22.8 10.0W
01/11/2829 07:18(3h48m) Saturn -0.4 34.1 105.3W 0* 03:30 21.8 50.9W Meeus 4:23 0:59
05/11/2962 10:05(3h35m) Mars -1.6 -6.2 143.8W 0* 06:30 15.3 101.8W
01/26/2977 07:39(1h06m) Saturn -0.3 16.9 114.8W 0* 08:45 18.7 128.7W Meeus 10:01 1:16
07/14/3461 21:45(2h10m) Saturn 0.0 -65.3 179.9W 11* 23:55 -21.6 3.6E
08/08/3581 11:21(3h11m) Saturn 0.3 -2.6 171.7W 0* 08:10 -15.7 120.3W
06/06/3584 15:45(1h35m) Jupiter -2.5 -68.9 99.3E 0* 14:10 -22.4 147.9E
06/25/3881 10:21(0h41m) Jupiter -2.6 -59.8 161.5W 0* 09:40 -23.2 143.4W

* Signifies Occultation (during Totality) # 99% Partial Eclipse Note: Italics events are included as close
conjunctions during totality in Table 11.

Generally, the time between maximum totality and central occultation should be less than two hours
for the planet to be in contact with the moon during totality. This table reflects all occultations and
conjunctions (maximum distance <90 ' arc in R.A., measured from object centers) occurring under four
hours from optimum alignment. Time denoted in parenthesis is the absolute time difference between
occultation mid-point and mid-totality. Latitudes and Longitudes are points where the occulted star and
eclipsed moon are at the zenith.
SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE

TABLE 3.2S
The following list of Bright Star-Lunar Occultations or close Conjunctions occur within 4 hours of mid-totality (2000 - 2500 A.D.)

DATE TIME(UT) STAR MAG LAT LONG ECL LAT LONG

05/04/2004 21:06 (0h36m) Zubenelgenubi 1.28 -52.8 14.0.E 20:30 -16.6 51.6E
02/20/2008 23:50 (3h35m) Regulus 1.09 -27.1 17.7W 03:25 10.5 47.9W
05/26/2040 08:12 (3h33m) Graffias 1.51 -69.4 108.2E 11:45 -21.6 177.0W
05/06/2050 21:06 (1h24m) Zubenelgenubi 1.06 -71.5 13.6E 22:30 -17.3 21.6E
05/08/2134 08:37 (1h28m) Zubenelgenubi 1.63 -35.0 144.7W 10:05 -17.3 152.2W
05/10/2199 12:34 (3h46m) Zubenelgenubi 1.71 -42.5 160.9W 16:20 -17.8 114.3E
07/31/2242 03:49 (2h01m) Pi Sgr 1.28 -69.3 116.1E 05:50 -21.6 85.9W
01/01/2420 11:29 (1h49) Mu Gemini 1.54 79.6 104.7W 09:40 23.2 144.3W
02/22/2445 17:32 (2h47m) Regulus 1.66 -14.5 93.8E 14:45 9.9 141.9E
01/01/2485 10:08 (0h38m) Mu Gemini 1.31 55.7 155.9W 09:30 22.7 141.8W

Generally, the time between maximum totality and central occultation should be less than two hours
for the star to be in contact with the moon during totality (note 2445 exception). This table reflects all
occultations and conjunctions occurring under four hours from optimum alignment. Time denoted in
parenthesis is the absolute time difference between occultation mid-point and mid-totality. Highlighted
events reflect occultation during totality. Latitudes and Longitudes are points where the occulted star is
at mid-path and eclipsed moon is at the zenith.

D. Jupiter's Galilean Satellites

Io (I), Europa (II), Ganymede (III), and Callisto (IV) act as a mini-solar system. The moons'
commensurabilities with one another causes them to orbit with near perfect resonance. This means
that these four giants cannot eclipse, occult or be at greatest east or west elongation with Jupiter all at
the same time although combinations of these phenomena can occur. Their mean periods are: (I):
1.769 days, (II) 3.551 days, (III) 7.155 days and (IV) 16.689 days. The orbital ratios between II and I is
2.0073:1; between III and II, is 2.0149:1; and between IV-III is 2.3325:1. Because the ratios are similar,
one can roughly determine repeated satellite alignments, and in the relatively short term, predicting
some rare and unusual configurations. This section explores this phenomena.

If Jupiter's largest moons were exactly in the Earth-Jupiter orbital plane and not inclined with respect to
Jupiter, they would spend the following time either in transit or occultation with Jupiter:: I - 10.8%, II -
6.75%, III - 4.2%, and IV 2.5%. However, if one accounts for the real-world orbital dynamics , the
following approximate yearly hourly variations are noted:

In the years 2000, 2006, 2012, 2018, and 2024 the moons are furthest from Earth-Jupiter equatorial
plane with Callisto missing Jupiter entirely The approximate number of events (both transits and
occultations) that would occur if exactly in this plane (i.e., 2003, 2009, and 2021) is obtained by
dividing the particular satellite's total hours by approximately the time it takes to cross Jupiter's
equator: I (2.3hrs), II (2.9hrs), III (3.6hrs), and IV (4.9hrs).

Maximum possible separation combination is 139.83Jr). This type of event is listed in Tables 13D
below. The extreme elongation of (I-II-III-IV) is maximized numerically as follows: + - - + , - + + - , + - +
-, or - + -+ where (-) is east and (+) is west of Jupiter (i.e., IV is at opposite elongation to II & III), where,
I=5.88Jr, II=-9.3Jr, III-=-15.0Jr and IV=26.55Jr.

Table 3.10: Galilean Satellites-All Invisible

Last to First to Satellite Situation
Year Date Elong Duration Disappear Reappear I II III IV Min Sum

2001 Nov. 8 117W 17min III 16:27 UT I 16:44UT T EO E T 10.5 Jr

2009 Sep. 3 171E 109 III 04:44 I 06:33 O T T E 4.44
2021 Aug. 15 175W 2 I 15:45 IV 15:47 E T T T 4.78
2033 Jul. 28 152W 107 I 03:03 III 04:50 EO T T O 4.35
2045 Jul. 9 47W 2 I 14:38 III 14:40 E T T T 5.20
2057 Jul. 15 127W 64 IV 23:07 I 00:11 O T O T 4.60
2085 Feb. 7 136E 16 IV 14:18 I 14:34 O T O TG 6.54
2097 Feb. 13 135E 32 IV 23:10 II 23:42 OE T T T 4.20

Table 3.10 lists most occurrences during the period 2000-2099, when all four Galilean Satellites will be
simultaneously invisible due to transit, occultation and/or eclipse with Jupiter. Other events may occur
(as with the 2001 example) when one of the satellites eclipsed far from the disk of Jupiter. Times are
in Universal Time and indicate to the nearest five minutes when all moons are invisible. The two-two
minute events in 2021 and 2045 are marginal at best. The event in 2085 will have Callisto graze (G)
the polar rim. Transits (T), occultations (O), and eclipses (E) describes each satellite's event(s). Solar
elongation in degrees (E=morning/W=evening). Minimum sum=ABS(I-II + I-III + I-IV + II-III + II-IV + III-
IV) pair distances measured in Jupiter's equatorial radius. Some satellites will undergo eclipses in
addition to transits or occultations during these rare encounters with Jupiter. These events can only
occur when Earth-Jupiter are near each other's orbital planes.
Table 3.11: Galilean Satellites-Unusual Alignments
Date UT Elong Min Sum

1/15/2000* 16h 88E 8.73Jr

4/03/2001 22 53E 4.86
6/22/2002 6 21E 5.82
1/02/2006 10 71W 7.69
9/09/2006 20 54E 8.12
8/02/2012 21 64W 8.31
7/21/2036 14 36E 7.31
12/27/2041 12 46W 6.69
7/27/2048* 20 47W 7.49
3/10/2049 9 90E 4.52
2/14/2064 7 38W 6.59
2/26/2073 3 112E 5.25
2/02/2088 1 118W 7.58

Table 3.11 for the period 2000-2099, list the occasions when three Galilean Satellites will be within 1
Jovian radii (Jr) of Jupiter. However, Callisto is found just north or south of Jupiter's poles while the
other three moon's are in transit, or occulted at the same time . Minimum Sum =ABS(I-II + I-III+I-IV+II-
III+II-IV+III-IV) pair distances measured in Jr. * denotes mutual close encounters very near Jupiter or
invisible due to eclipse.
Table 3.12: Galilean Satellites-Long Duration Pairing
Date UT Sats Dur Min Elong

1/12/2003 3.6h II-III 7.4hrs .0036 155W

6/22/2003 8.0 I-III 3.6 .0038 48E
8/13/2009 6.8 II-III 4.6 .0583 179W
9/06/2009 10.0 I-III 3.2 .0735 156E
11/26/2014 3.2 II-IV 5.8 .0362 98W
12/06/2014 2.0 II-IV 6.2 .0515 109W
1/02/2015 17.4 I-II 4.6 .0162 139W
3/05/2015 10.4 III-IV 4.0 .0279 150E
3/05/2015 17.8 III-IV 4.4 .0242 150E
8/03/2021 11.4 I-II 3.6 .0568 179E
12/06/2026 21.6 II-III 4.0 .0418 104W
12/25/2026 20.1 I-II 4.0 .0327 125W
8/16/2033 9.0 I-II 3.2 .0757 147W
3/12/2045 18.6 I-III 3.4 .0525 38W
9/17/2050 11.0 I-III 3.0 .0265 29W
Table 3.12 list possible mutual occultations or eclipses of one satellite by another during the period
when the Earth and Jupiter crosses each other's ecliptic plane. The reason for any uncertainty in
predicting these events is due to the slight satellite orbital inclinations with respect to Jupiter, the
apparent small sizes of each satellite and gravitational uncertainty. However, on several occasions,
pairs of satellites will be within approximately 0.1Jr for extended periods as noted above. The satellites
may play tag with one another several times during these interval, making for interesting observing
sessions. Minimum separation (Jr) may be more or less than shown if satellite inclination is
considered. Universal Time reflects the start of each close pairing.
Table 3.13: Galilean Satellites-Extreme Elongations
I-II-III-IV Sum (+56Jr) Solar Interval
Date UT Configure Dur @Max Elong Elong Next Event Same Event

1996 Feb 17 23h - + - + 1.5h .6868 50W 8mo 158mo

1996 Oct 25 8 + - - + 1.0 .6139 72E 114 114
2006 Apr 25 6 + - - + 0.5 .6036 170E 36 44
2009 Apr 18 15 - + - + <0.5 .5996 62W 8 417
2009 Dec 25 1 + - - + 2.0 .6472 54E 35 417
2012 Nov 23* 16 - + + - 1.5 .7166 168W 66 173
2018 May 1 14 + - + + 2.0 .6861 172E 36 173
2021 Apr 24 22 - + + + 0.5 .5968 63W 43 429
2024 Nov 29 23 - + - - <0.5 .6117 170W 29 173
2027 Apr 19 15 - + + - 0.5 .6145 112E 65 560
2032 Sep 24 11 + - + + 1.5. .7110 113E 71 114
2038 Aug 18 13 + - - - <0.5 .6055 11W 8 448
2039 Apr 25 22 - + - - 0.5 .6088 111W 35 114
2042 Mar 25 12 + - + + 0.5 .5757 125W 22 575
2044 Jan 24 8 - + - + <0.5 .6445 16W 8 114
2044 Sep 30 18 + - - + 1.0 .5911 112E 49 51
2048 Oct 23 22 - + - - 1..5 .6837 117W 22 417
2050 Aug 24 18 + - + - 2.0 .6849 12W 43 44
2054 Mar 31 19 + - - + 1.0 .6005 126W 22 158
2056 Jan 30 16 - + + + 2.0 .7243 16W 22 129
2057 Nov 30 11 + - - + 1.5 .6425 94E 129 ------
2068 Aug 24 17 + - - + 0.5 .5976 158E 7 ------
2069 Mar 31 9 - + + + 2.0 .6722 30W 157 15
2073 Dec 29 20 - + + - 1.0 6039 144W 15 114
2075 Mar 26 3 - + + - 1.0 .5829 153E 8 ------
2075 Oct 30 18 + - - - 1.0 .5811 31W 107 ------
2084 Sep 23 2 - + + - >0.5 .5472 77W 8 ------
2085 May 31 12 + - + - 1.5 .6252 39E 7 ------
2086 Jan 5 3 - + - - >0.5 .5938 147W 49 ------
2090 Feb 28 23 + - + + 0.5 .5395 65W ------ ------

Table 3.13 list all visible occasions when all four Galilean Satellites will be simultaneously at greatest
elongation from Jupiter as seen from Earth, for the period 1996-2090. Universal Time reflects the
approximate mid-point of the event, satellite configuration (E/W of Jupiter (-/+)); duration (hours); total
elongation + fraction (Jr); solar elongation, W=morning, E=evening object (degrees); and interval
between events and same event configuration (months). I & II cannot be on the same side at the same
time (i.e., + + + + or - - - -). The absolute elongation extremes as measured in Jr are approximately:
I=5.88, II=9.30, III=15.00, and IV=26.55 for a maximum total of 56.73Jr. The duration of each event is
determined by the time the absolute sum remains above the arbitrary value of 56.37Jr where: I >
5.80Jr, II > 9.22Jr, III > 14.92Jr, and IV >26.43Jr all occurring at the same time.

During the next 100 years, mutual occultations and eclipses of these moons with each other may
occur during the period 6/2002-9/2003, 5/08-3/10, 5/14-8/15, 5/20-3/22, 5/26-8/27, 5/32-3/34, 9/37-
8/39, 4/44-8/45, 5/50-8/51 etc. Jr represents the separation between each moon based on Jupiter's
equatorial radius but does not take satellite inclination into account (in the long term, this factor is
averaged out). Note that the faster orbiting inner moons (Io and Europa) will result in more (quasi)*
conjunctions.. Solar elongation is measured in degrees where W indicates morning events and E
indicates evening events. For all cases, y (# events in 100 years) =-17.95 + 1917 * x (separation);
correlation coefficient r=0.9956. * denotes close approaches without necessarily having conjunction in
right ascension (R.A.). Further reference to conjunctions imply possible quasi-conjunctions as well.

The rarity of conjunctions increases when all four moons are in conjunction. For example, I-II-III-IV are
within 1.4Jr 6 times, 1.5Jr-10 times, and 1.6Jr-16 times of one another during the period 2000-2099).

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