scholarly journals The Work at the Minor Planet Center

1971 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Paul Herget
Keyword(s):  
Minor Planet ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Complete File

The Minor Planet Center at the Cincinnati Observatory is engaged in three kinds of activities: (1) the publication and distribution of the Minor Planet Circulars (MPC’s), (2) the collection and maintenance of a complete file of minor planet observations, and (3) the computation of orbital elements and ephemerides.

Statistical results on discovered near-Earth asteroids

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
S. Berinde
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Near Earth Asteroids ◽  
Statistical Results

AbstractThe first part of this paper gives a recent overview (until July 1st, 1998) of the Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) database stored at Minor Planet Center. Some statistical interpretations point out strong observational biases in the population of discovered NEAs, due to the preferential discoveries, depending on the objects’ distances and sizes. It is known that many newly discovered NEAs have no accurately determinated orbits because of the lack of observations. Consequently, it is hard to speak about future encounters and collisions with the Earth in terms of mutual distances between bodies. Because the dynamical evolution of asteroids’ orbits is less sensitive to the improvement of their orbital elements, we introduced a new subclass of NEAs named Earth-encounter asteroids in order to describe more reliably the potentially dangerous bodies as impactors with the Earth. So, we pay attention at those asteroids having an encounter between their orbits and that of the Earth within 100 years, trying to classify these encounters.

scholarly journals Observational Data and Orbits of the Asteroids Discovered at the Molėtai Observatory in 2008–2009

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Černis ◽  
I. Wlodarczyk ◽  
J. Zdanavičius
Keyword(s):  
Observational Data ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
Ccd Observations ◽  
Near Earth Objects ◽  
Asteroids And Comets

AbstractWe present the statistics of the asteroids observed and discovered at the Molėtai Observatory, Lithuania, in 2008–2009 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 35/51-cm Maksutov-type meniscus telescope. In the Minor Planet Circulars and the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (2008–2009), 11 900 astrometric positions of 2522 asteroids were published. Among them 95 were new asteroids, including four belonging to the Trojan group: (352655) 2008QX28, 2008 SE8, (353194) 2009 SM100 and (264068) 2009 SQ148. For the asteroids discovered at Molėtai their precise orbits are calculated. Because of short observational arc, a few asteroids have low-precision orbits and some asteroids are considered lost. For the three Main Belt asteroids with low-precision orbital elements, 2008 QP32, 2008 SD8 and 2008 SG150, we present their ephemerides for 2017. They can be brighter than 20 mag.

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.

Observation of 44(Nysa) Asteroid by IST60 Telescope

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (A30) ◽  
pp. 40-40
Author(s):  
Remziye Canbay ◽  
Fulin Gursoy
Keyword(s):  
Minor Planet ◽  
Web Interface ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Main Belt

AbstractIn this study, the main belt asteroid (44) Nysa, which is also a known member of the Nysian asteroid family, was observed by IST60 telescope. The orbital elements were compared with MPO(Minor Planet Center) and NASA Horizons Web-Interface results.

Astrometric observations of Near Earth Objects and Minor Planet Center

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Sioulas
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Proper Motion ◽  
Space Mission ◽  
Great Accuracy ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Dwarf Planets ◽  
A Minor ◽  
The Town ◽  
Near Earth Objects

<p>NOAK Observatory, Stavraki (IAU code L02) Ioannina, Greece ([email protected])</p> <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>In this work, the astrometric observations of four asteroids will be presented which took place on 2019 from NOAK observatory located at Stavraki in Greece. The results and the procedure of submitting the measurements to MinorPlanetCenter will be discussed.</p> <p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p>Astrometry is the measurement of positions, parallaxes and proper motion of an astronomical body. Especially the astrometry of Near Earth Objects (NEO) demands great accuracy and the cooperation between the professional and amateur astronomers for better results. All these objects that need confirmation are listed in the Near Earth Object Confirmation Page (NEOCP) and in the Possible Comet Confirmation Page (PCCP) at the site of the Minor Planet Center (MPC). When an object is confirmed, then a Minor Planet Electronic Circular (MPES) is published, including observations, the observers details and the orbital elements of the object. Due to the high number of the objects that need confirmation is important to use all available telescopes to track them.</p> <p>My amateur observatory participates in the effort to record all these objects in the Solar System. The Observatory also conducts observations of various objects and other phenomena such as exoplanet transits contributing to the Ariel Space Mission with the Exoclock Project. However, the main goal of the observatory is to conduct asteroid and comet photometry and the methods, observations and results will be discussed in this presentation.</p> <p>The observatory is registered in IAU as L02, «NOAK Observatory, Stavraki», in the town of Ioannina, Greece.</p> <p><strong>Acknowledgements</strong></p> <p>I would like to thank Anastasia Kokori and Angelos Tsiaras for encouraging me to publish my work and for their advice. </p> <p><strong>References </strong></p> <p>[1] Minor Planet Center: https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/</p> <p>[2] Astrometrica: http://www.astrometrica.at/</p> <p>[3] Roger Dymock: Asteroids and Dwarf Planets</p> <p>[4] Brian D. Warner: A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis</p> <p>[5] Project Pluto: https://www.projectpluto.com/</p> <p>[6] NEODyS-2: https://newton.spacedys.com/</p> <p>[7] Center for Near Earth Objects Studies: https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/</p>

scholarly journals Observational Data and Orbits of the Asteroids Discovered at the Molėtai Observatory in 2005–2007

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Černis ◽  
I. Wlodarczyk ◽  
J. Zdanavičius
Keyword(s):  
Observational Data ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Ccd Observations ◽  
Near Earth Objects ◽  
Asteroids And Comets

AbstractThe paper presents statistics of the asteroids observed and discovered at the Molėtai Observatory, Lithuania, in 2005–2007 within the project for astrometric observations of the near-Earth objects (NEOs), the main belt asteroids and comets. CCD observations of asteroids were obtained with the 35/51 cm Maksutov-type meniscus telescope and the 1.65 m Ritchey-Chretien reflector. In the Minor Planet Circulars and the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (2005–2007) we published 17 003 astrometric positions of 2980 asteroids. Among them 112 were new normal asteroids and one NEO (2006 SF77) discovered at Molėtai; a few NEOs were found by our team independently. For the asteroids discovered at Molėtai their precise orbits were calculated. Because of short observational arc, a few asteroids have low-precision orbits and some asteroids have been lost. For three of them with low-precision orbital elements (NEO 2006 SF77 and two Mars crossers – 2006 SN368 and 2007 VM315), we present their ephemerides for 2016–2018.

Artificial satellite orbit computations

1966 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 363-371
Author(s):  
P. Sconzo
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
Satellite Orbit ◽  
Artificial Satellites ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Differential Correction ◽  
Gravitational Effects ◽  
Short Intervals ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Introductory Discussion ◽  
Orbit Computation

In this paper an orbit computation program for artificial satellites is presented. This program is operational and it has already been used to compute the orbits of several satellites.After an introductory discussion on the subject of artificial satellite orbit computations, the features of this program are thoroughly explained. In order to achieve the representation of the orbital elements over short intervals of time a drag-free perturbation theory coupled with a differential correction procedure is used, while the long range behavior is obtained empirically. The empirical treatment of the non-gravitational effects upon the satellite motion seems to be very satisfactory. Numerical analysis procedures supporting this treatment and experience gained in using our program are also objects of discussion.

Models of comets with strongly variable nongravitational effects

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 381-387
Author(s):  
M. Królikowska ◽  
G. Sitarski ◽  
S. Szutowicz
Keyword(s):  
Cometary Nucleus ◽  
Spin Axis ◽  
Reactive Force ◽  
Orbital Elements ◽  
Cometary Nuclei ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Basic Parameters ◽  
Polar Radius ◽  
Cometary Activity ◽  
Nongravitational Effects

AbstractThe nongravitational motion of five “erratic” short-period comets is studied on the basis of published astrometric observations. We present the precession models which successfully link all the observed apparitions of the comets: 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2, 32P/Comas Solá, 37P/Forbes, and 43P/Wolf-Harrington. We used the Sekanina's forced precession model of the rotating cometary nucleus to include the nongravitational terms into equations of the comet's motion. Values of six basic parameters (four connected with the rotating comet nucleus and two describing the precession of spin-axis of the nucleus) have been determined along the orbital elements from positional observations of the comets. The solutions were derived with additional assumptions which introduce instantaneous changes of modulus of reactive force,Aand of maximum of cometary activity with respect to perihelion time. The present precession models impose some contraints on sizes and rotational periods of cometary nuclei. According to our solutions the nucleus of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner with oblateness along the spin-axis of about 0.32 (equatorial to polar radius of 1.46) is the most oblate among five investigated comets.

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.

The O–C diagrams of minor planets − a new approach to modelling the rotation

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 185-188
Author(s):  
Gy. Szabó ◽  
K. Sárneczky ◽  
L.L. Kiss
Keyword(s):  
Error Analysis ◽  
Time Dependence ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Ccd Observations

AbstractA widely used tool in studying quasi-monoperiodic processes is the O–C diagram. This paper deals with the application of this diagram in minor planet studies. The main difference between our approach and the classical O–C diagram is that we transform the epoch (=time) dependence into the geocentric longitude domain. We outline a rotation modelling using this modified O–C and illustrate the abilities with detailed error analysis. The primary assumption, that the monotonity and the shape of this diagram is (almost) independent of the geometry of the asteroids is discussed and tested. The monotonity enables an unambiguous distinction between the prograde and retrograde rotation, thus the four-fold (or in some cases the two-fold) ambiguities can be avoided. This turned out to be the main advantage of the O–C examination. As an extension to the theoretical work, we present some preliminary results on 1727 Mette based on new CCD observations.

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