Occultations of stars by solar system objects provides a very accurate differential position of the object relative to the occulted star. The precision of this measurement can reach micro-arcsecond levels, particularly in the outer solar system. The conversion of such constraints into absolute astrometry requires separate knowledge of the star position. Starting with the release of the Gaia...
Occultations by asteroids are an outstanding technique capable of providing extremely astrometry relative to the occulted star. Currently, occultations (mostly observed with portable equipment) provide several hundred astrometric observations per year, in an increasing trend.
The Gaia mission has contributed to occultation both by reducing the uncertainty on both asteroid orbits and star...
