Astrometric observations of Near Earth Objects and Minor Planet Center

NOAK Observatory, Stavraki (IAU code L02) Ioannina, Greece (nsioulas@hotmail.com)

Introduction

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.

Abstract

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.

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.

The observatory is registered in IAU as L02, «NOAK Observatory, Stavraki», in the town of Ioannina, Greece.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Anastasia Kokori and Angelos Tsiaras for encouraging me to publish my work and for their advice. 

References

[1] Minor Planet Center: https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/

[2] Astrometrica: http://www.astrometrica.at/

[3] Roger Dymock: Asteroids and Dwarf Planets

[4] Brian D. Warner: A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis

[5] Project Pluto: https://www.projectpluto.com/

[6] NEODyS-2: https://newton.spacedys.com/

[7] Center for Near Earth Objects Studies: https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/