SB2
Asteroid surveys play a crucial role in systematically scanning the sky, enabling the discovery and characterization of asteroids. Surveys such as PanSTARRS, Catalina Sky Survey, and Spacewatch, have significantly contributed to identifying Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and other asteroids. NEOWISE observations have been instrumental in determining the sizes and thermal properties of numerous asteroids, while the ATLAS survey, designed to study potentially hazardous objects, has also enhanced our understanding of the main-belt population. The integration of photometric data from multiple surveys has yielded spin and shape models for numerous asteroids. The combined efforts of surveys like SDSS, SkyMapper, VISTA, and the Gaia mission contribute to taxonomic classifications on the population level.
Despite the valuable panoramic view provided by these surveys, there is a continued need for detailed ground-based observations. In particular survey spectrophotometry is limited to specific sets of wavelengths, and sparse photometry yields coarse spin, shape, and phase curve models. Therefore, for a more in-depth analysis, a focus on modeling asteroids based on ground-based observations, in conjunction with survey data, becomes imperative. Furthermore survey data allow for scanning for unusual or peculiar objects requiring detailed analysis and pinpointing objects requiring ground-based follow-up. Medium to small telescopes (< 2-3 m) play a vital role in this complementary, long-term follow-up, demonstrating that very large radars and high angular resolution telescopes are not always necessary. They are also ideal for promptly characterizing newly discovered Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and objects on the risk list. Data mining archives for astrometry and photometry provides another valuable data source to enhance follow-up efforts. Coordinating large observing campaigns necessitates a network of telescopes, a task made more manageable with remote and robotic access capabilities. Software development for automatic tasking of these telescopes is essential for an efficient follow-up.
In this session, we aim to emphasize the importance of integrating ground-based observations for a more thorough understanding of asteroids. While large surveys provide a broad overview, detailed ground-based data are indispensable for refining models and gaining deeper insights into the diverse characteristics of individual asteroids, asteroid populations and the processes that sculpt them. In this session we strive for a deeper understanding of asteroids with a major focus on ground-based observations.
Despite the valuable panoramic view provided by these surveys, there is a continued need for detailed ground-based observations. In particular survey spectrophotometry is limited to specific sets of wavelengths, and sparse photometry yields coarse spin, shape, and phase curve models. Therefore, for a more in-depth analysis, a focus on modeling asteroids based on ground-based observations, in conjunction with survey data, becomes imperative. Furthermore survey data allow for scanning for unusual or peculiar objects requiring detailed analysis and pinpointing objects requiring ground-based follow-up. Medium to small telescopes (< 2-3 m) play a vital role in this complementary, long-term follow-up, demonstrating that very large radars and high angular resolution telescopes are not always necessary. They are also ideal for promptly characterizing newly discovered Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and objects on the risk list. Data mining archives for astrometry and photometry provides another valuable data source to enhance follow-up efforts. Coordinating large observing campaigns necessitates a network of telescopes, a task made more manageable with remote and robotic access capabilities. Software development for automatic tasking of these telescopes is essential for an efficient follow-up.
In this session, we aim to emphasize the importance of integrating ground-based observations for a more thorough understanding of asteroids. While large surveys provide a broad overview, detailed ground-based data are indispensable for refining models and gaining deeper insights into the diverse characteristics of individual asteroids, asteroid populations and the processes that sculpt them. In this session we strive for a deeper understanding of asteroids with a major focus on ground-based observations.