IOTA: Goals and Objectives

		
The principal goals and objectives of the International Occultation Timing Association are:
        
		 1. To promote scientific research and discovery using occultation related methods

		 2. To conduct research at the local, regional and international level and to publish results
		    of studies in popular and scientific journals

		 3. To stimulate public awareness of phenomena such as eclipses and occultations

		 4. To improve lunar profile data through timing of grazing and total occultations

		 5. To determine shapes and sizes of minor planets and comets through timing of occultations
		    of stars by these objects

		 6. To conduct research into improving lunar diameter measurements through timing of simultaneous
		    observations of a grazing occultation at both northern and southern limits

		 7. To conduct research into determining changes in the polar diameter of the sun through total and
		    annular solar eclipse studies of Baily’s Beads

		 8. To search for hidden companions of stars during grazing occultation and asteroid occultation
		    events and to use the latter to measure the angular diameters of some stars

		 9. To search for natural satellites of minor planets using occultation methods

		10. To conduct research into Earth crossing and very distant (i.e., Kuiper Belt Objects)
		    asteroids through occultation methods

		11. To engage in new types of complementary research

		12. To engage in expeditions and return with useful pertinent scientific data

		13. To promote occultation science through presentations, electronic and printed media

		14. To improve methods of data recording and reduction

		15. To work with and support efforts of the professional astronomical community toward furthering
		    aims related to eclipse and occultation research

		16. To develop hardware and software necessary for predictions and analysis

		17. To disseminate forecasts of upcoming events and document results

		18. To recognize and acknowledge efforts and accomplishments of members

		19. To seek funding for research tools and support in order to further the immediate processing
		    of accumulated data
        
		
Come be a part of our vital scientific research. Join IOTA
    

      

      
International Occultation Timing Association, Inc. (IOTA)
www.occultations.org