Occultation Studies of the Outer Solar System

Monday 6 October, 2:30 pm, Curia II
Asantha Cooray (Caltech)
sante@its.caltech.edu

Abstract:

Occultation of background stars by foreground objects provide a powerful
probe of foreground source properties. We will review some recent results
related to Saturn's atmosphere including detailed properties of the upper
atmospheric structure derived from several occultations observed from
ground and HST. The talk will discuss the signature of gravity waves, both
in major planetary atmospheres and minor planets such as Pluto. The second
half of the talk will be on an application of occultation observations to
identify kilometer size objects at distances beyond Pluto. Occultations,
in principle, have the capability to extend our knowledge on the outer
Solar system better than surveys for moving objects based on reflected
light. We will present requirements for such a successful survey and
upcoming plans related to it.