scholarly journals Solar System Science with Robotic Telescopes

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S285) ◽  
pp. 352-354
Author(s):  
T. A. Lister
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Automated System ◽  
System Science ◽  
Sky Surveys ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Solar System Objects ◽  
Robotic Telescopes ◽  
On Line ◽  
Near Earth Objects

AbstractAn increasing number of sky surveys is already on-line or soon will be, leading to a large boost in the detection of Solar System objects of all types. For Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) that could potentially hit the Earth, timely follow-up is essential. I describe the development of an automated system which responds to new detections of NEOs from Pan-STARRS and automatically observes them with the LCOGT telescopes. I present results from the first few months of operation, and plans for the future with the 6-site, 40-telescope global LCOGT Network.

scholarly journals Phaethon-Gemind complex by Pan-STARRS

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 138-138
Author(s):  
Shinsuke Abe
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Physical Nature ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
Rapid Response System ◽  
Sky Surveys ◽  
Response System ◽  
Near Earth Objects

AbstractThe physical nature such as orbital distribution of asteroids is fundamental to understanding how our solar system has been evolved. The connection between Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and Earth impactors such as meteorites and fireballs are still under debate, since there is no meteorite orbit whose parent NEO was identified. The orbital distribution of NEOs has been investigated by comprehensive sky surveys including Pan-STARRS (The Panoramic Survey Telescope And Rapid Response System). Here we focus on the Phaethon-Gemind complex detected by Pan-STARRS PS1 Prototype Telescope and our follow-up lightcurve observations.

scholarly journals Strategy for NEO follow-up observations

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 185-185
Author(s):  
Milos Tichy ◽  
Michaela Honkova ◽  
Jana Ticha ◽  
Michal Kocer
Keyword(s):  
Small Bodies ◽  
Time Uncertainty ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Observation Strategy ◽  
On Line ◽  
Single Night ◽  
Uncertainty Map ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Near Earth Objects

AbstractThe Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) belong to the most important small bodies in the solar system, having the capability of close approaches to the Earth and even possibility to collide with the Earth. In fact, it is impossible to calculate reliable orbit of an object from a single night observations. Therefore it is necessary to extend astrometry dataset by early follow-up astrometry. Follow-up observations of the newly discovered NEO candidate should be done over an arc of several hours after the discovery and should be repeated over several following nights. The basic service used for planning of the follow-up observations is the NEO Confirmation Page (NEOCP) maintained by the Minor Planet Center of the IAU. This service provides on-line tool for calculating geocentric and topocentic ephemerides and sky-plane uncertainty maps of these objects at the specific date and time. Uncertainty map is one of the most important information used for planning of follow-up observation strategy for given time, indicating also the estimated distance of the newly discovered object and including possibility of the impact. Moreover, observatories dealing with NEO follow-up regularly have prepared their special tools and systems for follow-up work. The system and strategy for the NEO follow-up observation used at the Klet Observatory are described here. Methods and techniques used at the Klet NEO follow-up CCD astrometric programme, using 1.06-m and 0.57-m telescopes, are also discussed.

scholarly journals From Discovery to Impact - Near Earth Asteroids

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 73-78
Author(s):  
Miloš Tichý ◽  
Michaela Honková ◽  
Jana Tichá ◽  
Michal Kočer
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Current System ◽  
Small Bodies ◽  
Impact Site ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Near Earth Asteroids ◽  
Near Earth Objects

The Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are the most important of the small bodies of the solar system, having the capability of close approaches to the Earth and the chance to collide with the Earth.  We present here the current system of discovery of these dangerous objects, standards for selecting useful and important targets for NEO follow-up astrometry, system of impact probabilities calculations, and also determination of impact site and evacuation area.

scholarly journals New Tools for the Optimized Follow-Up of Imminent Impactors

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Maddalena Mochi ◽  
Giacomo Tommei
Keyword(s):  
Orbit Determination ◽  
Main Belt ◽  
Impact Monitoring ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Current Observation ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Fly Eye ◽  
Near Earth Asteroids ◽  
Near Earth Objects

The solar system is populated with, other than planets, a wide variety of minor bodies, the majority of which are represented by asteroids. Most of their orbits are comprised of those between Mars and Jupiter, thus forming a population named Main Belt. However, some asteroids can run on trajectories that come close to, or even intersect, the orbit of the Earth. These objects are known as Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) or Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and may entail a risk of collision with our planet. Predicting the occurrence of such collisions as early as possible is the task of Impact Monitoring (IM). Dedicated algorithms are in charge of orbit determination and risk assessment for any detected NEO, but their efficiency is limited in cases in which the object has been observed for a short period of time, as is the case with newly discovered asteroids and, more worryingly, imminent impactors: objects due to hit the Earth, detected only a few days or hours in advance of impacts. This timespan might be too short to take any effective safety countermeasure. For this reason, a necessary improvement of current observation capabilities is underway through the construction of dedicated telescopes, e.g., the NEO Survey Telescope (NEOSTEL), also known as “Fly-Eye”. Thanks to these developments, the number of discovered NEOs and, consequently, imminent impactors detected per year, is expected to increase, thus requiring an improvement of the methods and algorithms used to handle such cases. In this paper we present two new tools, based on the Admissible Region (AR) concept, dedicated to the observers, aiming to facilitate the planning of follow-up observations of NEOs by rapidly assessing the possibility of them being imminent impactors and the remaining visibility time from any given station.

Dodging the Asteroids?

Impact! ◽  
1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerrit L. Verschuur
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
Scientific Investigation ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Large Problem ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Near Earth Objects ◽  
The U.S

Finding asteroids and comets that may someday slam into our planet is the first step. What do we do then? This question is being given a whole lot of attention. In early 1993 NASA and the U.S. Congress received a report of the Near-Earth-Objects Interception Workshop (Spaceguard), the first step toward creating a program for pushing aside approaching asteroids. The report stated that “There is a clear need for continuing national and international scientific investigation and political leadership to establish a successful and broadly acceptable policy.” There are two or three options open to us to avoid being wiped out. The first is to step out of the way. This may not sound very practical, and it isn’t, at least not for a planet-load of people. However, if we plan ahead we could ship a few thousand human beings to other parts of the solar system so that if the earth were to be struck, they, at least, would survive. This would only be a privilege for a few, and getting back to earth after the cataclysm could be a rather large problem in itself. Who will welcome them back upon their return? Where would they land? If we could afford to set up colonies on the moon or Mars, the colonists could wait until after the dust had settled before attempting to return. The problem with this option is that, after a really healthy thwack, the earth’s environment would be so altered that returning human beings might find this to be an alien planet. The second way in which we could avoid getting hit would be to place an object between the onrushing comet or asteroid and ourselves. For such an emergency it might pay to place a few asteroids in geocentric orbit to be maneuvered when we need them. Then we could watch the spectacle as one asteroid slams into another, possibly showering the planet with small bits of debris that might do no more than create a spectacular display of fireballs—if we get it right, of course.

scholarly journals Gravitational Focusing of Low-Velocity Dark Matter on the Earth’s Surface

Galaxies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiaki Sofue
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Solar System ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Velocity Flow ◽  
Solar System Objects

We show that the Earth acts as a high-efficiency gravitational collector of low-velocity flow of dark matter (DM). The focal point appears on the Earth’s surface, when the DM flow speed is about 17 km/s with respect to the geo-center. We discuss diurnal modulation of the local DM density influenced by the Earth’s gravity. We also touch upon similar effects on galactic and solar system objects.

scholarly journals Small and Robotic Telescopes in the Era of Massive Time-Domain Surveys

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S285) ◽  
pp. 235-238
Author(s):  
M. F. Bode ◽  
W. T. Vestrand
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Small Aperture ◽  
Robotic Telescopes ◽  
On Line ◽  
New Facilities

AbstractWe have entered an era in time-domain astronomy in which the detected rate of explosive transients and important ephemeral states in persistent objects threatens to overwhelm the world's supply of traditional follow-up telescopes. As new, comprehensive time-domain surveys become operational and wide-field multi-messenger observatories come on-line, that problem will become more acute. The goal of this workshop was to foster discussion about how autonomous robotic telescopes and small-aperture conventional telescopes can be employed in the most effective ways to help deal with the coming deluge of scientifically interesting follow-up opportunities. Discussion topics included the role of event brokers, automated event triage, the establishment of cooperative global telescope networks, and real-time coordination of observations at geographically diverse sites. It therefore included brief overviews of the current diverse landscape of telescopes and their interactions, and also considered planned and potential new facilities and operating models.

Active Asteroids

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Asteroid Belt ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
System Science ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Opportunities For Learning ◽  
Solar System Objects

The study of active asteroids is a relatively new field of study in Solar System science, focusing on objects with asteroid-like orbits but that exhibit comet-like activity. This field, which crosses traditionally drawn lines between research focused on inactive asteroids and active comets, has motivated reevaluations of classical assumptions about small Solar System objects and presents exciting new opportunities for learning more about the origin and evolution of the Solar System. Active asteroids whose activity appears to be driven by the sublimation of volatile ices could have significant implications for determining the origin of the Earth’s water—and therefore its ability to support life—and also challenge traditional assumptions about the survivability of ice in the warm inner Solar System. Meanwhile, active asteroids whose activity appears to be caused by disruptive processes such as impacts or rotational destabilization provide exciting opportunities to gain insights into fundamental processes operating in the asteroid belt and assessing their effects on the asteroid population seen in the 21st century.

scholarly journals 6. Space Observations of Solar System Objects

1985 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 642-643
Author(s):  
J. Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Phase Angle ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Spectral Range ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Solar System Objects ◽  
Very High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Very High

Solar system objects may be studied in space by two general techniques. Everyone is familiar with the exciting aspects of deep space probes: very high spatial resolution; in situ measurements of particles and fields; in situ chemistry studies by mass spectrographs and gas chromatographs; unique phase angle and occultation opportunities. However, the Solar system can also be studied to great advantage by observatories in orbit around the Earth. The broader spectral range available above the terrestrial atmosphere is as important for planetary studies as it is for investigations of more distant astronomical targets. Both techniques will be discussed in this brief report.

scholarly journals Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy of Extremely Faint Astronomical Sources

1995 ◽  
Vol 149 ◽  
pp. 95-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. L. Roesler ◽  
R. J. Reynolds ◽  
F. Scherb
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Solid Angle ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Fabry Perot ◽  
Solar System Objects ◽  
General Field ◽  
Instrumental Approaches

AbstractOur interests in the general field of astrophysics lie principally in two areas: 1) the study of extremely faint emission lines from the interstellar medium, galactic halo, and intergalactic clouds, and 2) the study of neutral and ionized components of the outer atmospheres of solar system objects, including the earth. These studies require instruments of the highest possible area-solid angle product, but typically do not require extremely high spatial resolution. This paper highlights our past work in these areas, and discusses new instrumental approaches we are developing.

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