Post by NormB on Jun 29, 2015 7:33:42 GMT
SOFIA is the largest airborne observatory in the world, capable of making observations that are impossible
for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. Photo / NASA Graphic
A rare glimpse of Pluto is expected to wow astronomers tomorrow morning - and those in New Zealand will have the best seats in the house.
The eclipse-like phenomenon, known as a stellar occultation, will see Pluto pass in front of a star and is scheduled to kick off about 5am on Tuesday.
The far-flung event will only just be visible on super-powered observatory telescopes, so backyard astronomers shouldn't get their hopes up, but scientists will be in place throughout the country to record the back-lit planet.
They will have less than two minutes to catch it.
Stardome Observatory astronomer Grant Christie said internationally-renowned astronomers had flocked to New Zealand to see the event.
The eclipse-like phenomenon, known as a stellar occultation, will see Pluto pass in front of a star and is scheduled to kick off about 5am on Tuesday.
The far-flung event will only just be visible on super-powered observatory telescopes, so backyard astronomers shouldn't get their hopes up, but scientists will be in place throughout the country to record the back-lit planet.
They will have less than two minutes to catch it.
Stardome Observatory astronomer Grant Christie said internationally-renowned astronomers had flocked to New Zealand to see the event.
Image and Text source
Norm - Christchurch, New Zealand.
