An 11.2 second occultation was recorded by Brian Loader, using video OSD technique.

View the updated prediction.

Observers:
    1    B Loader,Darfield
  2(M) B Allen,Blenheim, NZ
  3(P) Prediction 5 April

    

Discussion:

The circle above is plotted at the expected 65 km diameter of Virtus. With only one chord it is not possible to determine whether Brian was north or south of the central line of the event. However, assuming the updated prediction was approximately correct the measured chord of about 87 km would suggest that the chord might lie close to the central portion of the asteroid.
Note that there was a miss reported for Virtus on 2009 April 21 and another positive just a week before this one on 2009 May 10. Both positives had chords close to 87 km, and were late by about 30 seconds in this case and 40 seconds late previously.

Observational Data:

Observation details for MP (494) Virtus
By Star              UCAC2 19229799
On 2009-05-17  at 13:09:17.0

_______________________________

Observer   Brian Loader
Location   Darfield
Longitude  +172:06:24.4
Latitude   -43:28:52.9
Altitude   210 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope SCT including Cass and Mak
Aperture   25 cm
Seeing     Slight flickering Clear
Timing     GPS - time inserted Video with frame analysis
Disappearance  13:09:41.20
Reappearance   13:09:52.40
Comments: Watec 120N camera at 16 fold integration.
Times partly by visual inspection of video and part using Limovie

_______________________________

Observer   Bill Allen
Location   Blenheim, NZ
Longitude  +173:50:21.4
Latitude   -41:29:30.
Altitude   38 m
Datum      WGS84
Telescope SCT including Cass and Mak
Aperture   40 cm
Seeing     Steady Clear
Timing     Tape Recorder + time signal Drift scan

Missed

Comments: Very good observing conditions temp 9.6, no wind.