Brief summary of Kleť photographic search programme for minor planets

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 189-192
Author(s):  
J. Tichá ◽  
M. Tichý ◽  
Z. Moravec
Keyword(s):  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Main Belt

AbstractA long-term photographic search programme for minor planets was begun at the Kleť Observatory at the end of seventies using a 0.63-m Maksutov telescope, but with insufficient respect for long-arc follow-up astrometry. More than two thousand provisional designations were given to new Kleť discoveries. Since 1993 targeted follow-up astrometry of Kleť candidates has been performed with a 0.57-m reflector equipped with a CCD camera, and reliable orbits for many previous Kleť discoveries have been determined. The photographic programme results in more than 350 numbered minor planets credited to Kleť, one of the world's most prolific discovery sites. Nearly 50 per cent of them were numbered as a consequence of CCD follow-up observations since 1994.This brief summary describes the results of this Kleť photographic minor planet survey between 1977 and 1996. The majority of the Kleť photographic discoveries are main belt asteroids, but two Amor type asteroids and one Trojan have been found.

Observational Data and Orbits of the Asteroids Discovered at the Baldone Observatory in 2008–2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Černis ◽  
I. Wlodarczyk ◽  
I. Eglitis
Keyword(s):  
Observational Data ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
Schmidt Telescope ◽  
Ccd Observations ◽  
Near Earth Objects ◽  
Asteroids And Comets

AbstractThe paper presents statistics of the asteroids observed and discovered at the Baldone Observatory, Latvia, in 2008–2013 within the project for astrometric observations of the near-Earth objects (NEOs), the main belt asteroids and comets. CCD observations of the asteroids were obtained with the 0.80/1.20 m, f/3 Schmidt telescope and a ST-10XME 15 × 10 mm CCD camera. In the Minor Planet Circulars and the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (2008–2013) we published 3511 astrometric positions of 826 asteroids. Among them, 43 asteroids were newly discovered at Baldone. For 36 of these asteroids the precise orbits are calculated. Because of short observational arc and small number of observations, a few asteroids have low-precision orbits and their tracks have been lost. For seven objects with poorly known orbits we present their ephemerides for 2015–2016. The orbits and the evolution of orbital elements of two asteroids, (428694) 2008 OS9 from the Apollo group and the Centaur (330836) Orius (2009 HW77), are recalculated including new observations obtained after 2011.

scholarly journals KLENOT PROJECT - NEAR EARTH OBJECTS FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (S318) ◽  
pp. 319-320
Author(s):  
Miloš Tichý ◽  
Jana Tichá ◽  
Michal Kočer
Keyword(s):  
Software Package ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
List Type ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Virtual Impactors ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
Near Earth Objects ◽  
South Bohemia

AbstractNEO research is a great challenge just now - for science, for exploration and for planetary defence. Therefore NEO discoveries, astrometric follow-up, orbit computations as well as physical studies are of high interest both to science community and humankind.The KLENOT Project of the Klet Observatory, South Bohemia, Czech Republic pursued the confirmation, early follow-up, long-arc follow-up and recovery of Near Earth Objects since 2002. Tens of thousands astrometric measurements helped to make inventory of NEOs as well as to understand the NEO population. It ranked among the world most prolific professional NEO follow-up programmes during its first phase from 2002 to 2008. The fundamental improvement of the 1.06-m KLENOT Telescope was started in autumn 2008. The new computer controlled paralactic mount was built to substantially increase telescope-time efficiency, the number of observations, their accuracy and limiting magnitude.The testing observations of the KLENOT Telescope Next Generation (NG) were started in October 2011. The new more efficient CCD camera FLI ProLine 230 was installed in summer 2013. The original Klet Software Package has been continually upgraded over the past two decades of operation. Along with huge hardware changes we have decided for essential changes in software and the whole KLENOT work-flow. Using the current higher computing power available, enhancing and updating our databases and astrometry program, the core of our software package, will prove highly beneficial. Moreover, the UCAC4 as the more precise astrometric star catalog was implemented. The modernized KLENOT System was put into full operation in September 2013. This step opens new possibilities for the KLENOT Project, the long-term European Contribution to Monitoring and Cataloging Near Earth Objects.KLENOT Project Goals are confirmatory observations of newly discovered fainter NEO candidates, early follow-up of newly discovered NEOs, long-arc follow-up astrometry of NEOs in need of further data. The higher priority is given to Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) and Virtual Impactors (VIs), recoveries of NEOs in the second opposition and also follow-up astrometry of radar or mission targets, special follow-up requests and follow-up astrometry of other unusual objects (comets, bright TNOs) including analysis of cometary features of suspected bodies, and also search for new asteroids, especially NEOs as well as other objects showing unusual motion.The KLENOT Telescope is located at the Klet Observatory, South Bohemia, Czech Republic (Central Europe), at geographical position: latitude 14° 17' 17” E, longitude 48° 51' 48”N, elevation 1068 meters above sea level, in a rather dark site in the middle of the Protected Landscape Area Blanský les. Average number of clear nights per year about 120. Our IAU/MPC code is 246KLENOT Project Advantages: •full observing time is dedicated to the KLENOT team•quick changes in an observing plan possible, even during an observing night•long-term NEO activities at Klet (since 1992)•experienced observers/measurers visually validate each moving object candidate•real-time processing of targeted objectsKLENOT Next Generation Telescope technical data (since 2013): •new computer controlled paralactic mount•1.06-m f/3 main mirror (Zeiss)•four lenses primary focus corrector•1.06-m f/2.7 optical system•CCD camera FLI ProLine PL230•chip e2v 2048 × 2048 pixels, pixel size 15 microns, Peltier cooling•FOV 37 × 37 arcminutes, image scale 1.1 arcseconds per pixel•limiting magnitude mV=21.5 mag. for 120-sec exposure timeKLENOT Project First Phase Results(2002-2008)total of 52,658 astrometric measurements of 5,867 bodies, it contains: •13,342 astrometric measurements of 1,369 NEAs (MPC,NEODys)•confirmation and astrometry of 623 NEAs from NEOCP (MPECs)•recoveries of 4 comets and 16 NEAs (including 196P/Tichý)•astrometry of 157 Virtual Impactors (CLOMON, SENTRY)•detection of cometary features of 34 bodies (IAUCs)•discovery of splitting of comet C/2004 S1 (Van Ness)•independent discovery of 4 fragments of comet 73P/S-W 3•asteroid discoveries - 750 bodies•3 NEOs - Apollo 2002 LK, Aten 2003 UT55, Apollo 2006 XR4, 1 JFA 2004 RT109The first KLENOT Project Next Generation Results (since 2011)total of 10,054 astrometric measurements of 1,298 bodies, it contains: •2,211 astrometric measurements of 263 NEAs(MPC,NEODys)•confirmation and astrometry of 143 NEAs from NEOCP (MPECs)•astrometry of 18 Virtual Impactors (CLOMON, SENTRY)•detection of cometary features of 5 bodies (IAUCs)

Photometric observations of the main-belt asteroid 665 Sabine and Minor Planet Bulletin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Sioulas
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Space Mission ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Official Publication ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
Dwarf Planets ◽  
Photometric Observations ◽  
The Town

<p><strong>Photometric observations of the main-belt asteroid 665 Sabine and Minor Planet Bulletin</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Nick Sioulas</p> <p>NOAK Observatory, Stavraki (IAU code L02) Ioannina, Greece ([email protected])</p> <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>In this work, the photometric observations of the main-belt asteroid 665 Sabine were conducted from the NOAK Observatory, in Greece in order to determine its synodic rotation period. The results were submitted to Asteroid Lightcurve Photometry Database (ALCDEF) and Minor Planet Bulletin.</p> <p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p>The Minor Planet Bulletin is the official publication of the Minor Planets Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). All amateurs and professionals can publish their asteroid photometry results, including lightcurves, H-G parameters, color indexes, and shape/spin axis models. It is also the refereed journal by the SAO/NASA ADS. All MPB papers are indexed in the ADS.</p> <p> </p> <p>The lightcurve of an asteroid can be used to determine the period, the shape and its size. We can also understand its composition (if it is a solid body or something else) and the orientation of the spin axes. Due to the high number of the asteroids the need of measuring them is important and all available telescopes are necessary to track them.</p> <p> </p> <p>My amateur observatory participates in the effort to record all these objects in the Solar System. It also conducts observations of various objects and other phenomena such as exoplanet transits, contributing to the Ariel Space Mission with the Exoclock Project, asteroid occultations and comet photometry.</p> <p>The observatory is registered in IAU as L02, «NOAK Observatory, Stavraki», in the town of Ioannina, Greece.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p>[1] Roger Dymock: Asteroids and Dwarf Planets</p> <p>[2] Brian D. Warner: A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis</p> <p>[3] http://alcdef.org/index.php</p> <p>[4] http://www.minorplanet.info/MPB/</p>

scholarly journals Astrometry of small Solar System bodies at the Molėtai observatory

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S236) ◽  
pp. 377-380
Author(s):  
K. Černis ◽  
J. Zdanavičius ◽  
K. Zdanavičius ◽  
G. Tautvaišienė
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
Solar System Bodies ◽  
Near Earth Objects ◽  
Asteroids And Comets

AbstractWe describe an observational project devoted to astrometric observations of Near-Earth Objects (NEO), main belt asteroids and comets at the Molėtai Observatory, Lithuania. Exposures are obtained with the two telescopes of the observatory: 0.35/0.50 m f/3.5 Maksutov telescope and the 1.65 m reflector with focal reductor f/3.1 and CCD camera. The results of more than 10,000 positions of asteroids and comets have been published in the Minor Planet Circulars and Minor Planet Electronic Circulars. During the 2001–2006 period 130 new asteroids were discovered. The latest discovery is the high-inclination asteroid 2006 SF77 belonging to the NEO Aten group.

scholarly journals Frontiers of Transient Phenomena in X-ray Binaries and Cataclysmic Variables Investigated by a High-Speed CCD Camera and an Automated Monitor Telescope

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S240) ◽  
pp. 622-623
Author(s):  
D. Nogami ◽  
S. Mineshige
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Compact Stars ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Transient Phenomena ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractWe are developing two new systems of a high-speed CCD camera, and an automated monitor telescope. This camera using a frame transfer-type CCD that enables us to take images each 27.3 msec at the highest speed. We wish to investigate accretion and eruption phenomena around compact stars by optical light. The system we have developed for automated monitoring of X-ray binaries and cataclysmic variables consists of a 30-cm reflector, a CCD camera, and a computer. It is a cheap system, but can monitor more than 150 systems each night. It will reveal long-term light curves of programmed stars of those transient systems, and catch sudden outbursts/decays. We will be able to start follow-up observations to clarify the mechanism of these activities as early as possible. We here report the current status of these projects, the target physics, and the future development.

scholarly journals Ita-Crao Minor Planet Survey: Results and Prospects

1997 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 567-570
Author(s):  
N. S. Chernykh ◽  
A.G. Sokolsky
Keyword(s):  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Crimean Astrophysical Observatory ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Earth Asteroid ◽  
The Future ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Near Earth Asteroids ◽  
Observation Programme

AbstractResults of minor planet observation programme that is made jointly by the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy and the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory during three decades with the Zeiss 40-cm double astrograph at Crimea are presented. Almost all permanently numbered minor planets were observed. A catalogue of astrometrical results obtained in the course of this survey contains more than 60 thousand minor planet positions. Many thousand unnumbered asteroids were discovered, 875 of which had received permanent numbers by June of 1996.In the development of this survey programme we plan to use another Crimean telescope – the fast 64-cm telescope of Richter and Slevogt system. We intend to equip it with a CCD camera and use it for searching and observation of the Near Earth Asteroids. In the future this CCD-telescope must be a part of the national Russian network for Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) observations.

scholarly journals 280 one-opposition near-Earth asteroids recovered by the EURONEAR with the Isaac Newton Telescope

2018 ◽  
Vol 609 ◽  
pp. A105 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Vaduvescu ◽  
L. Hudin ◽  
T. Mocnik ◽  
F. Char ◽  
A. Sonka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moving Objects ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
Isaac Newton ◽  
Isaac Newton Telescope ◽  
Fast Motion ◽  
The One ◽  
Near Earth Asteroids

Context. One-opposition near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) are growing in number, and they must be recovered to prevent loss and mismatch risk, and to improve their orbits, as they are likely to be too faint for detection in shallow surveys at future apparitions. Aims. We aimed to recover more than half of the one-opposition NEAs recommended for observations by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) in soft-override mode and some fractions of available D-nights. During about 130 h in total between 2013 and 2016, we targeted 368 NEAs, among which 56 potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), observing 437 INT Wide Field Camera (WFC) fields and recovering 280 NEAs (76% of all targets). Methods. Engaging a core team of about ten students and amateurs, we used the THELI, Astrometrica, and the Find_Orb software to identify all moving objects using the blink and track-and-stack method for the faintest targets and plotting the positional uncertainty ellipse from NEODyS. Results. Most targets and recovered objects had apparent magnitudes centered around V ~ 22.8 mag, with some becoming as faint as V ~ 24 mag. One hundred and three objects (representing 28% of all targets) were recovered by EURONEAR alone by Aug. 2017. Orbital arcs were prolonged typically from a few weeks to a few years; our oldest recoveries reach 16 years. The O−C residuals for our 1854 NEA astrometric positions show that most measurements cluster closely around the origin. In addition to the recovered NEAs, 22 000 positions of about 3500 known minor planets and another 10 000 observations of about 1500 unknown objects (mostly main-belt objects) were promptly reported to the MPC by our team. Four new NEAs were discovered serendipitously in the analyzed fields and were promptly secured with the INT and other telescopes, while two more NEAs were lost due to extremely fast motion and lack of rapid follow-up time. They increase the counting to nine NEAs discovered by the EURONEAR in 2014 and 2015. Conclusions. Targeted projects to recover one-opposition NEAs are efficient in override access, especially using at least two-meter class and preferably larger field telescopes located in good sites, which appear even more efficient than the existing surveys.

scholarly journals Klet Observatory – European Contribution to Detecting and Tracking of Near Earth Objects

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 107-116
Author(s):  
Miloš Tichý
Keyword(s):  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Earth Object ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Orbit Computation ◽  
Near Earth Asteroids ◽  
International Strategies ◽  
Near Earth Objects

Near Earth Object (NEO) research is an expanding field of astronomy. Is is important for solar system science and also for protecting human society from asteroid and comet hazard.  A near-Earth object (NEO) can be defined as an asteroid or comet that has a possibility of making an approach to the Earth, or possibly even collide with it. The discovery rate of current NEO surveys reflects progressive improvement in a number of technical areas. An integral part of NEO discovery is astrometric follow-up fundamental for precise orbit computation and for the reasonable judging of future close encounters with the Earth including possible impact solutions. A wide international cooperation is fundamental for NEO research.  The Klet Observatory (South Bohemia, Czech Republic) is aimed especially at the confirmation, early follow-up, long-arc follow-up and recovery of Near Earth Objects. It ranks among the world´s most prolific professional NEO follow-up programmes.  The first NEO follow-up programme started at Klet in 1993 using 0.57-reflector equipped with a small CCD camera. A fundamental upgrade was made in 2002 when the 1.06-m KLENOT telescope was put into regular operation. The KLENOT Telescope is the largest telescope in Europe used exclusively for observations of minor planets (asteroids) and comets and full observing time is dedicated to the KLENOT team.  Equipment, technology, software, observing strategy and results of both the Klet Observatory NEO Project between 1993-2010 and the first phase of the KLENOT Project from March 2002 to September 2008 are presented. They consist of thousands of precise astrometric measurements of Near Earth Objects and also three newly discovered Near Earth Asteroids.  Klet Observatory NEO activities as well as our future plans fully reflect international strategies and cooperation in the field of NEO studies.

scholarly journals From telescope to MPC: Organizing the minor planets

1996 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.G. Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Star Catalogue ◽  
Ccd Observations ◽  
Guide Star ◽  
The University

Somewhat more than a century after its introduction for the purpose of discovering minor planets, photography is now rapidly giving way to the CCD as the technology of choice for observing these bodies. A CCD has been used in scanning mode in the University of Arizona's ‘Spacewatch’ program for the discovery of minor planets since as long ago as 1984 (Gehrels 1984, Gehrels et al. 1986), while a CCD in stare mode was first applied as a matter of routine to an established observing program for astrometric follow-up in 1989—that at the Oak Ridge Observatory in Massachusetts (McCrosky 1990). After its initial 1984–1986 success, Spacewatch was modified with the help of a larger CCD and improved computer software and with the adoption of the particular mission of searching for NEOs, or minor planets (and comets) that pass close to the earth (Rabinowitz 1991, Scotti 1994). The Oak Ridge program utilizes a 1.5-m reflector, and the first CCD observations were reduced using the Astrographic Catalogue, the mainstay of the Oak Ridge photographic program back to its inauguration in 1972, as well as of other older photographic programs in which the fields observed were significantly less than 1° across. Within months, the availability, on CD-ROMs, of the STScI Guide Star Catalogue (Villard 1989) effectively consigned the venerable AC to the scrap-heap, and the rapid development of ready-made and relatively inexpensive CCD systems (e.g., di Cicco 1992) has recently increased the volume of CCD astrometry considerably, allowing it to be conveniently and reliably carried out, even by amateur astronomers. At the present time, very nearly 50 percent of the astrometric observations, typically 6000, published each month in the Minor Planet Center's Minor Planet Circulars are obtained by means of a CCD.

Minor Planet Center: data processing challenges

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (S318) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Michael Rudenko
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Earth Object ◽  
Short Arc ◽  
Sheer Number

AbstractThe Minor Planet Center receives up to several million astrometric observations of minor planets and comets each month. Given the volume of observations, the sheer number of known objects against which to possibly match, the shortness of the time interval over which each object was likely observed, and the uncertainties in the positions, and occasionally possible errors in times, reported, a number of data processing challenges present themselves. These include: Identifying observations of objects reported as new with already known objects; linking together sets of observations from different nights which may belong to the same object; determining if a set of observations has been assigned to the wrong object; determining if an object with a very short arc is possibly a Near-Earth object; prioritizing newly discovered objects in order of need of follow up; and, efficiently matching one or more observations with known objects.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document