MAP Alert #358, March 18, 2007 Greetings MAP Observers: Gerard Faure brings news of both new MAP objects, and a new observer to the MAP program Richie Bookamer. Gerard and Mr. Bookamer's letters follow: On February 18, Richard wrote (Gerard) "My name is Richie Bookamer. I am an amateur astronomer living in Micco, Florida (USA). I have been visually observing asteroids on a regular basis since July 2000. To date I have seen 875 different asteroids, and recorded at least three positions for most of them. I have been contributing my observations to the Minor Planet Bulletin since 2001. I hope to observe my 1000th asteroid no later than 2009".... On March 03, after my proposition to join the MAP, Richard answered : "I am very interested in joining the Magnitude Alert Program. Please continue sending the MAP alerts. I always try to get a magnitude estimate for each asteroid. However, I have concentrated more on plotting each asteroid’s motion rather than its brightness. My MegaStar 4.0 charting program has Hipparcos and Tycho data, but for asteroids fainter than 11th magnitude, my only magnitude reference is the Hubble Guide Star Catalog (GSC). I need a cross-reference so that I can convert the GSC numbers to a catalog that is more acceptable. I've already been using the MAP data for my own purpose: to "alert" myself to asteroids that might be too faint for me to see even though the predicted magnitude is bright enough. In the past, I was unable to view 1166 Sakuntala, 1388 Aphrodite and 1444 Pannonia although they “should” have been easy. I already have Sakuntala and Aphrodite on my list to view later this year. I expect Sakuntala to be easy this year. If Aphrodite is 1.6 mag. fainter than MPC predictions, it will be near my limit. My 41-cm telescope is not in very good condition since the hurricanes in 2004, and with increasing light pollution, I cannot usually see fainter than about magnitude 14.5 at this time".... BIENVENUE to Richard in the MAP program ! A new VISUAL MAP OBSERVER is a rare event in the actual world of CCD and DSLR observations ! > End Gerard Welcome indeed Richie! Observing such a large number of asteroids in such a short time is remarkable. Make sure to write me and Gerard in future messages about your success. While this mail comes for my MSN account, please add me under lgasteroid@earthlink.net and make sure to see our website @http://home.earthlink.net/~lgasteroid/ Gerard writes on observing: After the lack of good weather for the occultation of Saturn by the Moon on March 02,2007 and for the Moon total eclipse of March 03,2007, the sky began to be starry during the last week-end On March 10,2007 with a friend and his new MEADE LX200R (350mm), we made various tests and some observations; We tried to locate the new fast mover NEA 2007 EH ( H = 27.6 et predicted V +15.4) brighter than V16.0 only during about 5 hours, but alas we missed it. The turbulence, the inaccurate orbital elements (discovery less than two days ) and may be false ephemerides prevented its observation. Nevertheless, we observed (1487) Boda of mag V14.4 with the MEADE LX200R and 9 satellites of Saturn, notably Phoebe (mag V16.3) (9 satellites, WOW!) The next evening (March 11), I observed again but only located two asteroids : (840) Zenobia mag v15.5 F/0.2 (2089) Cetacea mag v15.3 Zenobia is an old MAP object again seen, but with a lower discrepancy of magnitude ( 0.2 mag rather 0.4 mag ) I missed the Mars-crosser 2003 YV117, seen by Roger on February 20 This mars-crosser recently was numbered (N°151888) with a H magnitude 0.5 mag fainter than before; This difference of H magnitude was exactly the discrepancy found by Roger ! (Of course!) Lastly, during the evening of March 14, I saw 4 asteroids : (1029) La Plata mag v14.6 (1602) Indiana mag v14.3-14.2 B/0.3-B/0.4 (3210) Lupishko mag v15.5 (3974) Verveer mag v15.2-15.3 F/0.4-F/0.5 Indiana is about 0.3-0.4 mag brighter than predicted. It's a new MAP object and a bright target ! Verveer also is a new MAP object, but may be only Lawrence and Roger will try this faint minor planet With the bad weather predicted for the next week, the next target certainly will be 2006 VV2 of mag V10 on March 31 Good luck ! Gerard> Call for observations with the new MAP objects 1602 Indiana and 3974 Verveer. Mid week looks good for observations on my end with these objects. 2006 VV2 will be a welcome sight should my telescope reach this faint so close to the moon on the 31st. On the 30th, it will be 40 degree removed from the moon perhaps a better chance to see it. I am undecided if I will post maps on the internet to promote observing this object. And to catch you all up on snowfall, the 40" fall melted away this week, to be replaced by 17" this weekend, how nice. Lawrence Garrett ALPO Minor Planet Section Assistant Coordinator lgasteroid@earthlink.net revised mail address AUDE WebPages Gerard Faure (8297 gerardfaure) http://www