5/3/2008 13:58

Extrasolari LIVE!

observation of the next XO-2b transit on 11th March

PLANETARY RESEARCH TEAM - COELUM ASTRONOMIA - Italy
 

EXTRASOLARI LIVE! Project

Dear Colleagues,

a large public of amateur was eagerly waiting for the evening of 27th February last, when unfortunately we had cloudy weather in most Italy and Europe, with some clear skies in Sicily and Canary Islands only.

Salvo Massaro and Pio Passalacqua (INAF Astronomical Observatory - Palermo) were succesfull in shooting XO-2b transit from Sicily; the same positive outcome for Joan Genebreira, from Tacande Observatory in La palma (Canary Island), in spite of the trouble of a strong wind during the observation.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather conditions, the evening was a great success thanks to a large number of astronomy lovers following the transmission live from Coelum web site, with thousands of connections. The live commentary by Gianluca Masi (one ox XO-2b discoverers) was really appreciated (even if only in Italian language).
He was possible to count upon the precious work effected by  Salvo Massaro and Pio Passalacqua (INAF Astronomical Observatory - Palermo): every one could see their transit light curve building up live image by image!

We decided to repeat the observation of the next XO-2b transit on 11th March next. The event will start at 22:49 UT, ending at 01:35
UT. The live broadcasting from the web site  www.coelum.com will start at 22 UT,  also including an English language commentary!

ALL AMATEURS ARE WARMLY INVITED TO SHOOT THE TRANSIT WITH PROPER TELESCOPES! FOLLOW US FROM THE WEB SITE www.coelum.com

Clear skies!

Rodolfo Calanca
vicedirettore COELUM Astronomia