Asteroid Eclipse To Be Visible From Bermuda

A giant asteroid will pass in front of a star, blacking it out for a short period of time, and according to various reports this will be visible from Bermuda, with the celestial event set to occur at around 3am Bermuda time this Thursday [Mar 20].

Space.com reports that, “On Thursday, March 20, Regulus will participate in a rare celestial event when an asteroid passes directly in front of the star, as seen from Earth.

“The asteroid in question is 163 Erigone. Asteroid 163 Erigone is about 45 miles [72 km] wide, but its “shadow” slanting to Earth’s surface will be 67 miles [108 km] wide.

Map of projected path, courtesy of Asteroidoccultation.com

“Erigone’s shadow will move on a southeast-to-northwest trajectory and will extend from New York City as well as western and central Long Island to Oswego in New York State, and then continues northwest, the length of Ontario to the Hudson Bay shore of Manitoba.

“Those who are within the shadow path and watching at just the right moment with just their eyes will see an amazing sight: Regulus will seem to abruptly disappear as if a switch had been thrown, blotted out by the tiny invisible asteroid.

“Regulus will remain invisible for up to 14 seconds [for those situated along the center of the path]; an incredible, albeit very brief occurrence.”

The International Occultation Timing Association said, “On March 20, 2014 shortly after 2:06AM EDT [that’s early Thursday morning, so be sure to set your alarm when you go to bed on Wednesday night!] anyone standing outside under clear skies and looking to the west in a large swath of New York State [ranging from Long Island and New York City all the way up to Oswego and Watertown] as well as portions of New Jersey, Connecticut, and Ontario [and on the island of Bermuda as well] may see the bright star Regulus completely disappear from view for as long as 14 seconds as the asteroid [163] Erigone passes in front of it. An event like this is called an occultation.”

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