[LINK] Fw: 3C273 lunar occultation on Feb 19 2022

[Kate Lance]

Any ex-CSIRO people on Link? Might be interested in this.

Regards, Kate
(CSIRO Division of Radiophysics 1988-1992)


   ------ Forwarded Message --------
   From: Ekers, Ron (S&A, Marsfield) <ron.ekers at csiro.au>
   Date: 19/02/2022 3:55:43 AM
   Subject: 3C273 lunar occultation on Feb 19 2022

   In 1962 a series of lunar occultations of the strong radio source 3C273
   were observed with the newly completed Parkes radio telescope by a team
   led by Cyril Hazard. The arcsecond precision position and structure led
   to the identification of a 13mag "star" which Martin Schmidt discovered
   had a redshift of 0.158.  This was the discovery of the first quasar
   and the subsequent realizations that it was powered by a black hole.
   This new field of AGN astronomy has dramatically changed our
   understanding of the Universe.
   [1]https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/3C273/

   60 years later on the on 20 February we have another lunar occultation
   of 3C273 visible from Parkes. David Herald predicts that it will occur
   on 20 February, from 1:23 – 1:43 AM (AEDT) (UTC 19 Feb 14:23 to
   14:42).  CSIRO Space and Astronomy have decided to observe this
   historical event and share the results in real-time.  We will use a
   resurrected chart recorder to see a repeat of the spectacular Fresnel
   diffraction pattern as the source is occulted. Background information
   and a running description of the real-time event will be provided by
   John Reynolds and Dave Jauncey.  Cyril Hazard has agreed to make some
   remarks.  John Sarkissian has done all the organization to make this
   possible.

   There are two different options to participate:

   You can watch the real-time video of the occultation on YouTube:

   [2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOrkMKp__BE

   It will be streaming Sunday morning from 1:00 to 2:00 AM (AEDT) which
   is UTC 14:00 to 15:00 on Saturday Feb 19.  The recording will also be
   edited and made available for later viewing.

   But the more interesting option will be to go to the Parkes GatherTown
   history.

   [3]https://app.gather.town/app/uUZhK6tXbUAzIRuJ/Parkes%20history

   Then find the 1961 Parkes dish space (we will try to land you straight
   there) and you will find instructions to watch the video from
   GatherTown.  This will also be an opportunity to meet and talk to
   others who are interested in this historical event and also an
   opportunity to explore the 60year history of the Parkes telescope
   through GatherTown.  A short description of this GatherTown is
   attached.  GatherTown is always open so you can go there anytime but
   for the realtime event you have to be there between 1:00 and 2:00 AM on
   Sunday morning Feb 20 (AEDT),  UTC 14:00 to 15:00 on Saturday Feb 19.

   Ron

   Ron Ekers, AO, FAA, NAS, FRS

   CSIRO Fellow

   Space & Astronomy, CSIRO

   E: [4]ron.ekers at csiro.au T: +61 2 93724600

References

   1. https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/3C273/
   2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOrkMKp__BE
   3. https://app.gather.town/app/uUZhK6tXbUAzIRuJ/Parkes history
   4. mailto:ron.ekers at csiro.au

----- End forwarded message -----