NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0044
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0044 |
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PI: Mark Trueblood, Winer Observatory, winer.obs@gmail.com
Address: Director, PO Box 797, Sonoita, AZ 85637-0797, United States
CoI: Robert Crawford, Rincon Ranch Observatory
CoI: Larry Lebofsky, Planetary Science Institute
Title: Long Term Follow-up of Near Earth Objects
Abstract: We will use the KPNO 2.1-m telescope to recover Near Earth Objects (NEOs) by adding astrometric observations at one or more orbits since discovery. Recovery observations place the strongest constraints on the orbital solution and can be expected to improve the impact risk assessment for Virtual Impactors (VIs). Many NEOs will be observable in the range 21<V<23 on any night during 2013A. Semester 2013A presents the rare opportunity to recover two VIs if nights can be scheduled when they are bright enough for the 2.1-m telescope. If not, there will be worthwhile Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) recovery candidates on other nights in the semester. Among the 113 NEOs (excluding small objects) for which the NEODyS system estimates a non- zero risk of Earth impact, all but 21 are classified as "Lost" until rediscovered by the surveys. Through this on-going work, we seek to minimize the number of new discoveries that are "lost", improve the characterization of VI/PHA orbits and to further the assessment of impact risk.
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 > 2013A-0044 |
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