Published a paper by IOTA/ME: Study of Pluto’s atmosphere based on 2020 stellar occultation light curve results

Published a paper by IOTA/ME: Study of Pluto’s atmosphere based on 2020 stellar occultation light curve results

https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2021/09/aa41718-21/aa41718-21.html
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202141718

Title: Study of Pluto’s atmosphere based on 2020 stellar occultation light curve results

Authors: Atila Poro, Farzaneh Ahangarani Farahani, Majid Bahraminasr, Maryam Hadizadeh, Fatemeh Najafi Kodini, Maryam Rezaee, and Mahsa Seifi Gargari

Abstract: On 6 June 2020, Pluto’s stellar occultation was successfully observed at a ground-based observatory in Iran, and Pluto’s atmospheric parameters were investigated. We used an atmospheric model of Pluto, assuming a spherical and transparent pure N2 atmosphere. Using ray-tracing code, the stellar occultation light curve was satisfactorily fit to this model. We found that Pluto’s atmospheric pressure at the reference radius of 1215 km was 6.72 ± 0.48 μbar in June 2020. Our estimated pressure shows a continuation of the pressure increase trend observed since 1988 and does not confirm the rapid pressure decrease tentatively reported in 2019. The pressure evolution is consistent with a seasonal transport model. We conclude that the N2 sublimation process from Sputnik Planitia is continuing. This study’s result is shown on the diagram of the annual evolution of atmospheric pressure.
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The International Occultation Timing Association's 39th Annual Meeting

The International Occultation Timing Association's 39th Annual Meeting

The International Occultation Timing Association's 39th Annual Meeting was held on July 17 -18, 2021 via Zoom online.
Atila Poro from IOTA's Middle Eastern Section presented a value of Pluto's atmospheric pressure based upon 2020 stellar occultation light curve results. The Pluto event observed by the IOTA Middle Eastern section was on June 6, 2020. The star magnitude was +12.97. From the light curve, he determined Pluto's atmospheric pressure 6.72 +/- 0.21 μbar in reasonably good agreement with past stellar occultations.
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An article on amateur astronomy in Iran was published in L'Astronomie magazine

An article on amateur astronomy in Iran was published in L'Astronomie magazine

"The most important characteristic of amateur astronomy in Iran is the young astronomers, most of whom are students. It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 amateurs and about 300 amateur observatories in Iran. According to general statistics, about 60 percent of amateur astronomers in Iran are girls and 40 percent are boys".
This is a part of the article published in L'Astronomie magazine in France. This article wrote by Atila Poro the president of IOTA/ME.

Download: Amateur Astronomy in Iran Nowadays
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Two online programs on the occasion of World Astronomy Week (2020)

Two online programs on the occasion of World Astronomy Week (2020)
Two online programs on the occasion of World Astronomy Week (2020)

On the occasion of World Astronomy Week (2020), we will offer two programs through online training for astronomy enthusiasts. The first program will be held in collaboration with Amirkabir University Astronomy Center (Tehran) http://nojumaut.ir/, and the second program will be in the form of Instagram Live.
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