NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0405
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0405 |
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PI: Robert S. McMillan, University of Arizona, bob@lpl.arizona.edu
Address: Lunar and Planetary Lab. and Steward Observatory, 1629 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721-0092, USA
CoI: Amy Mainzer, JPL/CalTech
CoI: Joseph R. Masiero, JPL/CalTech
CoI: Jeffrey A. Larsen, U. S. Naval Academy
CoI: James V. Scotti, University of Arizona
Title: Astrometric Search and Recovery of Asteroids and Comets Discovered by WISE
Abstract:
Target-of-Opportunity (ToO) time is requested to recover and do
astrometry and photometry on short notice of carefully selected
asteroids, comets, and suspected comets freshly discovered by WISE. The
WISE all-sky thermal infrared survey is uncovering darker albedos and
more extreme orbital inclinations of solar system objects than expected.
More of the rare and newly discovered category of main belt comets may
also be found. We want to understand what these outliers are, as they
may represent hitherto unexplored populations and may reveal
characteristics of the evolution of the solar system not yet recognized.
To do this, the infrared fluxes measured by WISE should be supplemented
with measurements of reflectivity in visible light, rotation periods,
multicolor photometry, spectroscopy, and polarimetry to characterize
sizes, mineralogy, surface properties, and shapes. Such campaigns
require the orbits of the newly discovered objects to be known well
enough to recover the objects on return apparitions as much as years
later. Our proposed astrometry will consolidate knowledge of orbital
elements and provide visual magnitudes to plan further ground-based
observations.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0405 |
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