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This colloquium was held to encourage collaboration with the astronomy community, observatories and sky observers throughout Indonesia, especially those in the path of the asteroid’s shadow, in carrying out occultation observations on April 26 2026.
This collaboration is an important factor in producing accurate and precise scientific data, considering that this phenomenon lasts for a very short duration. Data collected from various observation locations also plays a role in increasing the accuracy of determining asteroid trajectories and characteristics, as well as enriching astronomical databases.
“The more observation points involved, the more accurate the information that can be obtained,” said Agus Triono.
Asteroid occultation is a rare astronomical phenomenon when an asteroid passes in front of a distant star causing a change in the brightness of its light over a certain period of time. These changes form a light curve that allows astronomers to estimate the asteroid’s diameter, shape and orbit with great precision. Occultations also help provide data for modeling asteroid thermophysics by placing observers along narrow shadow paths (several hundred km wide) to record the times stars disappear and reappear.
The asteroid occultation phenomenon has a number of advantages as a method of astronomical observation. This technique is capable of producing very high resolution, even comparable to sophisticated observation methods, and is relatively unaffected by light pollution conditions. In addition, occultation observations can be carried out using small telescopes, thereby opening up opportunities for wider observation participation by institutions spread across Indonesia.
However, occultation is an event that occurs at a certain time and path so it cannot be observed flexibly. This event occurs quickly so it requires fast photometry techniques, namely taking as many images as possible within a certain time span. Data obtained from one observation point is also limited, so simultaneous observations from various locations are needed to obtain more complete information about the characteristics of the asteroid.
The phenomenon of the occultation of the asteroid Strenua, which is predicted to pass through Indonesian territory on April 26 2026, was the main focus of the discussion at the colloquium. In this event, the asteroid Strenua will pass in front of the star HIP 35933 and cause the star’s light to be obscured for several seconds.
The path for observing this phenomenon is estimated to cross a number of regions including Sumatra, Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara, to Australia.
Limited data regarding the asteroid Strenua makes this observation of high value, especially to increase the accuracy of information regarding the size, shape and trajectory of the asteroid. This opens up opportunities for observers in Indonesia to contribute to data collection during the occultation.
Through this colloquium, the Bosscha Observatory encourages wider collaboration between institutions, communities and individual observers in preparing for asteroid occultation observations. With good collaboration, it is hoped that observations of this phenomenon will enrich research, exploration and Indonesia’s role in contributing to global astronomical research.
