Context. The photometry of mutual occultations and the eclipses of natural planetary satellites can be used to infer very accurate astrometric data. This can be achieved by analyzing the light curves of the satellites observed during these mutual events. Aims. The final goal of observations is to refine the models of motion for the natural satellites, and to develop a very accurate photometric model of mutual occultations and eclipses of satellites. This paper is focusing on the differences of topocentric or heliocentric coordinates of satellites pairs by analyzing the photometry of mutual occultations and the eclipses of natural satellites. Methods. We propose the most accurate photometric model of mutual events to date based on all available data about the satellites, and have developed the corresponding method for extracting astrometric data. We analyze the errors of astrometric results obtained in terms of different scattering laws allowing for reflecting properties of the satellites surfaces. In addition we consider how to allow various previously neglected effects. Results. We describe the results obtained by applying our method to observations of mutual occultations and eclipses of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter made in [2002][2003]. We show that the coordinate errors due to irreducible systematic errors of photometry are about the same as the errors introduced by neglecting the above effects. We find the available maps of satellites surfaces to be unsuitable for deriving photometric event models.
Context. In 2003, the Sun and the Earth passed through both the equatorial plane of Jupiter and therefore the orbital planes of its main satellites. Aims. During this period, mutual eclipses and occultations were observed and we present the data collected. Methods. Light curves of mutual eclipses and occultations were recorded by the observers of the international campaign PHEMU03 organized by the Institut de mécanique céleste, Paris, France. Results. We completed 377 observations of 118 mutual events from 42 sites and the corresponding data are presented in this paper. For each observation, information about the telescope, receptor, site, and observational conditions are provided. Conclusions. This paper gathers all data and indicates a first estimate of its precision. This catalogue of these rare events should constitute an improved basis for accurate astrometric data useful in the development of dynamical models.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.