scholarly journals Precision of Ephemerides for Space Missions

1971 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 639-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.G. Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Space Missions ◽  
Crimean Astrophysical Observatory ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Synodic Period

One of the most extensive programs of systematic observations of minor planets currently being conducted is that at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. The observed positions, together with the residuals from the predictions in the annual Ephemeris volumes, have been listed in the Minor Planet Circulars for several years now; and inspection of the residuals yields information about the accuracy of minor planet ephemerides as a whole.The observations are made using a 40 cmf/4 double astrograph, the limiting magnitude being about 18. Between June 1968 and October 1969, corresponding to one synodic period of an average minor planet, about 40 percent of all the numbered objects were observed. These observations may be regarded as reasonably representative of all the planets. Observations were made of 60 of the objects with numbers in the 100’s and only 29 of those in the 1100’s, but in general the distribution was surprisingly uniform.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Improving the dynamical reference frame through minor planet orbit correction using crossing point observations

1988 ◽  
Vol 128 ◽  
pp. 55-60
Author(s):  
Arthur L. Whipple ◽  
Raynor L. Duncombe ◽  
Paul D. Hemenway
Keyword(s):  
Computer Program ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference System ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Orbit Correction ◽  
Crossing Point

We have begun a program to establish a dynamical reference frame based on the motions of minor planets. The program will utilize observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, and will ultimately tie the HIPPARCOS reference system to a dynamical base. Thirty-four minor planets, 20 of which are suitable for observation with the Hubble Space Telescope, have been selected. Ground based observations, particularly crossing-point observations with long focus reflectors, have been initiated.A computer program to simultaneously solve for the corrections of the orbits of the 34 minor planets including the crossing-point observations, was successfully run. The observations are treated by the method of W. H. Jeffreys. Using simulated data, solutions with and without crossing point observations demonstrate the value of those observations to produce a homogeneous and coherent set of results.

scholarly journals 6. Astronomical Telegrams

1979 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
E. Roemer ◽  
B. G. Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Minor Planet ◽  
Central Bureau ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
The Face ◽  
Careful Investigation

As noted below in the report of the Central Bureau, a number of changes have been introduced in the technical and business operations of the Bureau during the triennium. Some of the changes follow from the transfer of the IAU Minor Planet Center to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. For example the Minor Planet Circulars now offer an alternate avenue of publication for less time-urgent data concerning comets as well as minor planets. Changes at the communications center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory have made it less costly, as well as more efficient, for the Central Bureau to maintain its own communications equipment. At the same time, in the face of generally rising costs, and after careful investigation of alternatives, it has become necessary for users to assume an increased share in underwriting the operating expenses of the Bureau.

scholarly journals DIVISION III / COMMISSION 15 / WORKING GROUP PHYSICAL STUDY OF MINOR PLANETS

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (T26B) ◽  
pp. 131-132
Author(s):  
Walter F. Huebner ◽  
Alberto Cellino ◽  
Edward F. Tedesco ◽  
Dominique Bockelee-Morvan ◽  
Yuehua Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Business Meeting ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Web Page ◽  
Division Iii ◽  
Physical Study

The meeting of the Physical Properties of the Minor Planets Working Group of IAU Commission 15 took place on 24 August, and was devoted to purely scientific matters, since other topics (organization of the Minor Planet WG, need of a new web page, election of the new chairman) had been already discussed during the business meeting of Commission 15, on 22 August. A brief summary of the talks given during the meeting is given in what follows.

scholarly journals The Reference Frame Determined From the Observation of Minor Planets by Hipparcos

1990 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 329-336
Author(s):  
B. Morando ◽  
A. Bec-Borsenberger
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
High Precision ◽  
Reference System ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Phase Effect ◽  
The Earth ◽  
A Minor

The observation of minor planets by Hipparcos offers the opportunity to obtain high precision positions for some minor planets. About fifty minor planets are on the programme. Their ephemerides had to be improved in order to reach a precision of 1 arsec and occultations by the Earth and the Moon had to be predicted.From the position of a minor planet on reference great circles at different times better values of the initial position and velocity will be deduced but the reduction of the observations of the minor planets have to take into account the displacement of the photocentre relative to the centre which is due to the shape, the phase effect and the scattering properties of the surface. For some very small planets considered as star like this diplacement will be small and the precise positions obtained will allow to position the dynamical reference system relative to the Hipparcos system. For the bigger minor planets the observations by Hipparcos may give informations on the shape and scattering properties of the surface.

scholarly journals 20. Positions and Motions of Minor Planets, Comets and Satellites

1979 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-144
Author(s):  
B. G. Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
The Past

The past triennium has been noteworthy for several significant discoveries in the outer part of the solar system. The discovery of the rings of Uranus was inspired by the activities of Commission 20’s new Working Group on Occultations. Although the discovery of a probable Plutonian satellite has not yet been completely confirmed, the implication that Pluto’s mass is only 0.002 earth masses may make it desirable to consider whether Pluto should be relegated to minor-planet status. The orbit of Pluto is in fact not greatly dissimilar to that of the object classified as the new minor planet (2060) Chiron, which was found to have its aphelion near the orbit of Uranus and its perihelion just inside the orbit of Saturn.

Photometric astrometry of minor planets

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
J. Derral Mulholland ◽  
R. Edward Nather
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Minor Planet ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
Portable Equipment

AbstractThe technique of timing occultation or eclipse events with high-speed photometers, which we shall call “photometric astrometry”, has been used by Evans, Nather, Silverberg and others to obtain lunar occultations with millisecond resolution, to reduce the observation of occultation reappearances to a routine event, to measure the diameter of Io and the diameter and flattening of Jupiter. We propose the possibility of a concerted program to use this technique for the determination of asteroid dimensions and shapes. It appears reasonable to expect that a single observatory could observe about ten events per year in which a sizeable minor planet occults a star that is three magnitudes fainter or less. Such events could be timed to about 10 msec. The development of inexpensive, portable equipment would greatly increase the number of possible events to be observed. Such equipment could open this activity to sophisticated amateur observers, similarly as in the grazing occultation program.

The program of minor planets observations at the Crimea Observatory

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 25-27
Author(s):  
N. S. Chernykh ◽  
L. I. Chernykh
Keyword(s):  
Crimean Astrophysical Observatory ◽  
Minor Planets ◽  
The Crimea

Systematic photographic observations of minor planets were undertaken at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory by one of authors (N. S. Chernykh) in the autumn of 1963. This program was initiated at the request of the Institute for Theoretical Astronomy (Leningrad). By the end of 1964 a group for the program in the Crimea was organized by the Institute and since that time the Crimean program of photographic asteroid observations is jointly carried out by the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and the Institute for Theoretical Astronomy. The group of observers of minor planets now consists of L. I. Chernykh, T. M. Smirnova, B. A. Burnasheva (I.T.A.) and N. S. Chernykh (Cr.A.O.) and two laboratory assistants: G. Ya. Smirnova and N. S. Pecherskih (I.T.A.).

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