The first stellar occultations by irregular satellites
Abstract
The irregular satellites are objects that orbit the Giant Planets from great distances, with highly inclined, eccentric orbits and mostly retrograde. It is believed that these satellites were captured by their host planets during the Solar System evolution. Thus, studying them may give us hints about their region of origin. In order to estimate their dimensions with great accuracy, Gomes-Junior et al., (2016) predicted stellar occultations by the 8 largest irregular satellites of Jupiter (Himalia, Elara, Pasiphae, Carme, Lysithea, Leda, Ananke and Sinope) and 1 of Saturn (Phoebe) up to 2020. Due to the passage of the satellites in front of the Galactic Plane in 2018, for Phoebe, and 2019-2020 for the Jovian ones, a large number of events were predicted. Until now, 5 stellar occultations were observed involving Phoebe and 2 with Himalia. The present work presents the results of these events.
- Publication:
-
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019
- Pub Date:
- September 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019EPSC...13.1909R