Jupiter Occultation of Beta Scorpii: Are the Flashes Time-symmetric?

Abstract

AN outstanding feature of the May 13, 1971, occultation of Beta Scorpii AB and C by Jupiter was the occurrence of numerous light flashes, or “spikes”. In a discussion of our observations¹ we noted that at a time resolution δt∼1 s, the pattern of some of the spikes observed during the emersion of β Sco AB seemed vaguely time-symmetric with that seen during immersion. But other portions of the occultation curves seemed to be largely uncorrelated at this δt. Fairall² has since published the results of photographic observations of the bright star event. He suggests that the spikes are on the whole significantly time-symmetric, and infers from this a global stratification of the Jovian atmosphere. We have tested this suggestion on our data, which are more extensive and have an improved δt and photometric accuracy.