The first results of observations of lunar occultations in different spectral ranges at the 6-m telescope of the SAO RAS

Abstract

Observations by the method of lunar occultations at the 6-m telescope of the SAO RAS reach a resolution limit better than 1 mas. We have devised a new method of observation, which allows obtaining the curves of lunar occultations simultaneously in different ranges of the visible part of the spectrum, and conducted the first observations using a modified optical system. In January 2019, applying the new method, the magnitude differences of the components of the binary star HD 36524 in the R and I bands were measured, which were 1.5 and 1.3 mag, respectively, in good agreement with values calculated from the Gaia mission. According to the obtained data, it was determined that with this method it is possible to reach a signal-to-noise ratio of about 5–10 for stars of 10th magnitude. We discuss the applicability of the proposed optical scheme for the study of binary stars.