Natural satellites mutual phenomena observations: Achievements and future

Abstract

Astrometry of Solar system objects needs to perform observations regularly since the motions are fast and the dynamical models need sample of data on long intervals of time.The goal of this paper is to show that some phenomena occurring during the equinox on the giant planets are worth to be observed. Past experience has shown the interest of such observations which should be continued in the future due to their relevant contribution to improve the dynamical models.Using the best ephemerides of the natural planetary satellites, we calculate the next phenomena to occur in order to prepare the future observational campaigns.We provide in this paper the tables of the dates of the next phenomena as their observational conditions which depends on the opposition and the declination of the planet.Past observations provided particularly accurate data, better than all the other ground based observations and we encourage observations in the next future especially for planetary systems for which no space mission is planned.