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J.E. Arlot (IMCCE/CNRS), V. Lainey (IMCCE/ROB), W. Thuillot (IMCCE/Paris Observatory)
The present dynamical model of the motion of the satellites of Uranus mostly used by the astronomers was made in 1986 by Laskar and Jacobson and was based upon observations made from 1911 to 1986. This dynamical model led to ephemerides the accuracy of which decreased with time. We now need better calculated positions to be able to predict the mutual events and the eclipses by the planet which will occur in 2007-2008. These events, which occur only every 42 years, will provide very accurate observations astrometric as well as photometric describing the dynamics of these satellites and their surfaces through the light curves observed. More, the inclinations which are badly determinated by classical astrometric observations should be constrained by the observation of these events, very sensitive to it. For that purpose, we developed a new dynamical model based on observations made from 1827 to 2003 and calculated the events. The magnitude of the satellites will make difficult the observations. However, a large number of events will be observable through a telescope of the 1 to 2 meters class. New fast CCD cameras will be able to catch these valuable events.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: arlot@imcce.fr
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.