Eclipses of Saturn VIII (Iapetus)

A. W. Harris, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, provides the following predictions for the eclipses of Iapetus by Saturn and its rings on 1977 Oct. 19-20 and 1978 Jan. 7-8. The earlier predictions (Peters 1975, Celes. Mech. 12, 99; Porter 1976, Handb. Br. Astron. Assoc. for 1977, p. 63) have been substantially revised with the help of the new theory for Iapetus by A. T. Sinclair, H.M. Nautical Almanac Office. The times are still uncertain by about +/- 15 min. Event 1977 ET 1978 ET Immersion, A ring shadow Oct. 19d12h25m Emersion, A ring shadow 19 13 55 Immersion, B ring shadow 19 14 25 Immersion, C ring shadow 19 17 31 Disappearance, Planet shadow 19 19 31 Jan. 7d18h57m Reappearance, Planet shadow 20 05 07 8 04 12 Emersion, B ring shadow 8 08 04 Immersion, A ring shadow 8 08 49 Emersion, A ring shadow 20 05 11 8 10 48