Observations of Eclipses of the Patroclus-Menoetius Binary Trojan

Spacecraft flybys require precise predictions, not only to choose an optimal flight trajectory, but also to point the cameras and additional instruments, during the very brief window of opportunity. In preparation for the encounter of NASA's Lucy spacecraft with the L5 Trojan (617) Patroclus and its satellite Menoetius, we report ground-based observations of mutual events of these objects. Photometric measurements of 11 partial eclipses were obtained in 2024 along with additional baseline measurements. Our results have been published in the Minor Planet Bulletin and will be contributed to a team preparing updated ephemerides of the system to aid in Lucy Mission Planning.