Richard's Astronomy Pages.......
This is what the Crab Nebula looks like today.
It is the result of a Supernova explosion witnessed
by Chinese astronomers on the morning of
July 4, 1054. The Chinese reported the new object
to be so bright, that it was visible in daylight for
22 days. Its current size measures 4 x 6 light years
and it continues to expand at the rate of over
2,000 kilometers per second. The outward arrows
indicate how much larger the Crab Nebula will be
in 250 years.
Read more about it here.
The International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA)
The International Occultation Timing Association consists of professional and amateur astronomers dedicated to the study of specialized eclipses by the Moon, asteroids and other solar system objects. IOTA provides detailed predictions these "occultation" events, including total lunar occultations, grazing occultations, asteroid occultations, occultations of planetary satellites, and solar and lunar eclipses. IOTA not only provides the predictions, but promotes the observations and data reduction of these scientifically valuable events.
IOTA activities include:
Help coordinate observers in your area
Popular and Technical IOTA References and Articles 1964-Present
Highlights of IOTA's Annual meetings:
Annual Meetings Summary and History Page
NEW Free e-book on occultations: "Chasing the Shadow: The IOTA Occultation Observer's Manual"
This is IOTA's complete guide to observing lunar, grazing and asteroid occultations plus solar eclipses
Thinking about buying a star ? Think again ! Think Twice !
Asteroid Occultation videos Lainie's Astronomy Page for Beginners Houston Magician