Planet X: VIEWING History

Following, the Viewing Specs as posted periodically on sci.astro and
sci.astro.amateur.  Coordinates will be provided as promised on Sep 15,
2002.  In anticipation of a rapid approach during the next 9 months
leading up to the Passage
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/theword/tword03y.htm)
shortly after May 15, 2003, the focus of these Viewing Specs have been
changed to emphasize what amateurs, and then everyman even without the
benefit of a scope, might look for.  The information will follow in
several posts -  Smoldering Planet, Red Planet, Distance/Size/Speed, and
Passage Path

Viewing Specs were last posted on May 18, 2002 in Article
<[email protected]>
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/usenet/use90558.htm)
but then withheld until Sep 15, 2002 due to light pollution factors
related to its position in the Sun
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/theword/tword03v.htm)
and to foil a planned disinformation campaign.
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/usenet/use90642.htm)

Up until early 2001 Planet X was approximately 9 Sun-Pluto distances
away,
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/science/s100.htm)
thus as small as Pluto but not yet reflecting sunlight, with a diffuse
glow primarily in the infrared spectrum. In early 2001 it moved close
enough to be visible in observatory scopes.  In early 2002 it was imaged
in infrared twice, showing an object moving in accordance with the Zeta
coordinates given months earlier. It was anticipated to be visible in
amateur scopes after mid-2002. Prior sightings and imaging at the Zetas
coordinates, which occurred in early 2001 and early 2002 when the
inbound planet was not in the sun, are detailed at the TEAM pages.
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/teams/tteam342.htm)

A graphic, showing where Planet X was sighted in 1983 in Orion by the
IRAS team, and where it appears in the sky as viewed from Earth since
then.
    (http://www.zetatalk.com/theword/tword03h.htm)
This graphic does not have the precision that the coordinates have,
however.

    Nancy's diagram curves the line between points and also
    has large dots at the points, so the path can be slightly
    confused. In fact, [Planet X] tends not to make all those
    pretty curves.
        ZetaTalk™: Variance
            (http://www.zetatalk.com/theword/tword03j.htm)

    Dr. Gerry Neugebauer, IRAS chief scientist for
    California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and director of the
    Palomar Observatory for the California Institute of
    Technology said in an interview. ... near the western edge
    of the constellation Orion.
        Washington Post on 1983 Discovery
        (http://www.zetatalk.com/theword/tword26c.htm)