Lunar occultations of Beta Scorpii in 1975 and 1976.

The complex multiple star beta Scorpii (combined magnitude 2.5) will be occulted by the moon 19 times during 1975-1976. Limiting lines of visibility for these occultations are presented in two maps. From modern observations it is apparent that beta Sco is at least quadruple, but there is evidence for the existence of three additional components. The 1971 May occultation of the beta Sco system by Jupiter and of its C component by Io raised important questions about beta Sco and about Jupiter and Io, making the coming occultation series especially significant. With high-time-resolution photoelectric photometry, it is likely that definitive knowledge of the system's structure can be obtained during the coming series. Detailed predictions of local circumstances are available from the authors.