Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 7 d ago, last 7 d ago, peak #4
Astronomers target suspected binary asteroid Briggs in occultation campaign
Original: Suspected binary asteroid (4209) Briggs occults HIP 16880 on 2026 Oct 20 at ~00:46 UT. 22 stations on both sides of the
Astronomers are coordinating a large observation campaign for the night of 20 October 2026, when the suspected binary asteroid (4209) Briggs is expected to occult the star HIP 16880 at around 00:46 UT. Around 22 stations on both sides of the Atlantic will attempt to record the shadow passages of both the main body and its suspected satellite. The campaign is part of the GAIAMOONS project, which uses such occultations to probe asteroid shapes and satellite systems.
Why now: Amateur and professional astronomers are being mobilised across two continents for a rare chance to confirm the suspected satellite of asteroid Briggs.
(4209) BriggsHIP 16880GAIAMOONSIOTA European Section
Evidence
- Suspected binary asteroid (4209) Briggs occults HIP 16880 on 2026 Oct 20 at ~00:46 UT. 22 stations on both sides of the Atlantic will try to record the occultation of the main body and the suspected satellite. The observation campaign is part of the GAIAMOONS project: https://… · IOTA_European_Section@mastodon.online · 3
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