Planetary Defense
Mind's Eye Observatory Near Earth Object Survey (MEONEOS)
Also take a look at past years for interesting images and projectsCheck back often as I work on projects in the observatory
Embedded Files
Also take a look at past years for interesting images and projectsCheck back often as I work on projects in the observatory
Planetary Defense: Protecting Earth from Space Rocks
Imagine Earth has a cosmic neighborhood filled with all sorts of space rocks. Some are big, some are small, and they're all orbiting the Sun. Planetary defense is like having a neighborhood watch for the ones that might get too close for comfort – specifically, Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).
Near-Earth Objects (NEOs): These are asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them within a certain distance of Earth's orbit. Think of them as the neighbors who sometimes wander into your yard.
Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs): These are rocky bodies, like smaller versions of the asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but their paths bring them closer to us.
Minor Planets: This is a broader term that includes asteroids, dwarf planets, and other small bodies in our solar system. When we talk about NEOs, we're usually focusing on the asteroids and comets that come near Earth.
Why worry about them? Most NEOs are no threat. However, if a large enough one were to hit Earth, it could cause significant damage, like the asteroid that likely contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Planetary defense aims to prevent such a catastrophe.
Tracking and Characterization: Knowing the "Neighbors"
To protect Earth, we first need to know what's out there. This involves:
1. Tracking: This is like spotting the "neighbors" who are getting a bit too close. Telescopes around the world, both professional and amateur, constantly scan the skies to find new NEOs and monitor the paths of known ones. By taking multiple measurements of their positions over time, scientists can calculate their orbits – essentially, where they are going.
2. Characterization: Once we've tracked an NEO, we want to know more about it. This is like figuring out the size and nature of our "neighbor." Characterization involves:
Size: How big is it? Larger objects pose a greater threat.
Shape: Is it round, elongated, or something else?
Composition: What is it made of – rock, metal, ice? This can affect how we might try to deflect it.
Rotation: How fast is it spinning?
Scientists use various techniques, including observing the light reflected from the NEO (how bright it is and how its brightness changes), and sometimes even radar, to learn these details.
How Mind's Eye Observatory (W42) Fits In
This is where our work can be valuable! Amateur observatories like MEO play a crucial role in planetary defense:
Discovery: While large professional surveys find most new NEOs, amateurs can still discover them, especially those on unusual orbits or that appear unexpectedly.
Follow-up Observations: Once a new NEO is found by a large survey, professional telescopes often have limited time to track it. Amateur astronomers can provide crucial follow-up observations. By measuring the precise position of the NEO over time, you can help refine its orbit. This is vital for determining if it poses a future threat.
Characterization: With the right equipment, amateur astronomers can also contribute to the characterization of NEOs by performing photometry (measuring the brightness over time) which can help determine the object's rotation period and potentially its shape.
Organizations like the Minor Planet Center (MPC) collect observations from both professional and amateur astronomers worldwide. Observations from W42 contribute to the global effort of tracking and understanding NEOs.
So, while we are not launching spacecraft to deflect asteroids, our observations help build the crucial first step: knowing what's out there and where it's going. MEO is part of the "neighborhood watch" for our planet!
How would humanity respond if we discovered an asteroid headed for Earth? NASA’s "Planetary Defenders" is a gripping documentary that delves into the high-stakes world of asteroid detection and planetary defense.
Journey alongside a dedicated team of astronomers and scientists working tirelessly to track and monitor near-Earth asteroids, aiming to protect our planet from potential impacts. This documentary captures the intricate and collaborative efforts of these unsung heroes, blending cutting-edge science with personal stories to reveal the human spirit behind this critical global endeavor. Witness the drama, the challenges and the triumphs of those on the front lines of planetary defense.
Learn more about NASA’s efforts to find, track and monitor near-Earth asteroids: https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-de...
MEO Joins the MEERKAT asteroid Guard as an observer to monitor necessary observations for new and potentially hazardous objects that need astrometry as soon as possible to pinpoint an imminent impact or rule impact out with a refined orbit.
Adobe Scan Mar 20, 2024 (7).pdfAdobe Scan Mar 20, 2024 (1) (1).pdfMind's Eye Observatory (MEO), designated W42 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in my ongoing contribution to planetary defense efforts. I have surpassed a key achievement by observing and contributing astrometry data for over 100 Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to the Minor Planet Center (MPC). My contributions extend beyond tracking known NEOs. I have actively participated in confirming the discoveries of newly identified NEOs as well.
For my friends not in the NEO community. NEOs are celestial bodies, primarily asteroids and comets, whose orbits bring them close to Earth. My observations play a role in refining the orbital calculations of these NEOs. This refined data is then utilized by astronomers to assess any potential threats these objects might pose to our planet. MEO's contribution directly supports ongoing efforts in planetary defense initiatives. The MPC serves as the central repository for data on minor planets, comets, and other celestial objects. Their work in tracking these objects, calculating their trajectories, and announcing new discoveries is vital for the astronomical community. MEO's role in confirming these discoveries strengthens the overall accuracy and effectiveness of NEO monitoring efforts.
Reaching this milestone represents countless hours of observation, data analysis, and a continuous learning curve. I am committed to continuous improvement, and over the past year, I have implemented significant refinements to my observation procedures and data analysis methods as well as pushing my modest equipment to its best performance.
The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to science and the planetary defense efforts is a significant reward in itself. However, I am also humbled to receive the Gold Award from the Astronomical League in recognition of this achievement. This recognition helps serve as a motivator as I strive to push onward.
MEO remains dedicated to its mission of contributing to the field of NEO observation. I look forward to many more sleepless nights filled with scientific inquiry, and playing a vital role in safeguarding our planet. I like to think of MEO as the little observatory that could!
Carpe Noctem
For my friends not in the NEO community. NEOs are celestial bodies, primarily asteroids and comets, whose orbits bring them close to Earth. My observations play a role in refining the orbital calculations of these NEOs. This refined data is then utilized by astronomers to assess any potential threats these objects might pose to our planet. MEO's contribution directly supports ongoing efforts in planetary defense initiatives. The MPC serves as the central repository for data on minor planets, comets, and other celestial objects. Their work in tracking these objects, calculating their trajectories, and announcing new discoveries is vital for the astronomical community. MEO's role in confirming these discoveries strengthens the overall accuracy and effectiveness of NEO monitoring efforts.
Reaching this milestone represents countless hours of observation, data analysis, and a continuous learning curve. I am committed to continuous improvement, and over the past year, I have implemented significant refinements to my observation procedures and data analysis methods as well as pushing my modest equipment to its best performance.
The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to science and the planetary defense efforts is a significant reward in itself. However, I am also humbled to receive the Gold Award from the Astronomical League in recognition of this achievement. This recognition helps serve as a motivator as I strive to push onward.
MEO remains dedicated to its mission of contributing to the field of NEO observation. I look forward to many more sleepless nights filled with scientific inquiry, and playing a vital role in safeguarding our planet. I like to think of MEO as the little observatory that could!
Carpe Noctem
Have you ever wondered what a typical night of performing
imaging and data reduction of minor planets is like? It generally goes like this!
Check the weather and observation conditions.
Obtain a cup of coffee!
Open the Observatory, Roll out Instrument trolley and begin instrument cool down.
Power on all the computers and trolley systems.
Begin camera cooling.
Update the MPCORB database and star chart database with the latest data. from the Minor Planet Center (MPC).
Select Targets of Opportunity (TOO's) needed by the MPC to Observe for conformation or orbit improvement. NEO / NEOCP
Confirm GPS time lock and good time convergence is obtained. synchronization time with all systems. Confirm local sidereal time.
Slew the telescope to a populated star field with no bright stars and perform a multi star FWHM focus.
Slew to the first object and perform a plate solve.
Confirm temperature of the telescope has stabilized and focus is good. confirm camera temperature has reached target temperature.
Perform Calibration frames and set to be applied. Flat frame \ Dark frame.
Estimate TOO rate of movement and magnitude to calculate camera exposure and sub frame needed to capture TOO.
Begin imaging the object over an average twenty minute period or more to capture the necessary three measurements with a minimum of five minutes between each.
Spot-check the first files. Make sure they are correct and are good data.
Perform a data reduction and solve on all images over the capture period.
Check astrometric residuals if needed, format and send measurements to the Minor Planet Center.
Rinse and repeat! Addressing any objects by priority and location in my sky using resources like NEOFixer.
I am very proud to receive a notice from Kelly Fast the program manager of the Near-Earth Objects Observations at the Planetary Defense Coordination Office NASA and IAWN Steering Committee Coordinating Officer that Mind's Eye Observatory (MEO) has been officially accepted as a signatory and member of the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN).
The IAWN is an international collaboration, to observe asteroids including Near Earth Objects (NEO), potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA) and provide accurate information about the threat from those objects along with coordinating observation campaigns. The IAWN also is a United Nations-sanctioned organization and helps coordinate communications to assist Governments in the analysis of impact threats and mitigation.
There are approximately 50 facilities in Europe, Asia, South and North America including a few amateur observatories such as MEO with a broad range of expertise.
I am excited to continue producing accurate data for the Minor Planet Center and participate in the IAWN's efforts.
MEO IAWN
Application Letter
MEO IAWN 2023 (2).pdfIAWN MEO Statement of Intent (1).pdfMEO IAWM
Statement of Intent
MEO was successful in contributing observations and astrometry on 2024-05-28 UT to confirm the new Near-Earth object NEOCP ZTs0226 now designated 2024 KP, It is an Apollo class NEO estimated at 28.4 meters in size with an Earth encounter velocity of 12.0481 Kilometers a second. We observed it at magnitude 17.9 moving at 51"/Min. First reported by Observatory (I41) Palomar Mountain--ZTF (N33.357336 W116.859780) US/California.
Next close approach to Earth is 2034-Nov-14.
#InternationalAsteroidWarningNetwork
#MinorPlanetCenter
2023-05-28 15-26-37.mp4
Despite challenging weather and skies, MEO was able to image and measure the position of the newly discovered asteroid A10VCQZ last night 5-28-2023. We imaged it at mag 16.5 and is approximately 72.2 meters in diameter and moving at 12.5 KM a second. Discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Haleakala Hawaii (T05) on 5-27-2023.
The asteroid is now designated 2023 KT3
Mind's Eye Observatory (MEO) helped confirm a new Asteroid (2023 JF) May 9 UTC. Discovered May 8 UTC unofficially by the Catalina Sky Survey. It was recovered starting in Japan then around the globe by a few observatories. MEO appears to be the first to recover it in the US. Our astrometric observations help extend the arc and update the orbital elements. it has a 0.012% chance of Earth impact or 1 in 8,300 odds of impact. 99.988% chance the asteroid will miss the Earth at this time. With more observations this will likely close up.
It is about 40 feet in diameter and moving at over 4 miles a second so it was fun to keep up with once we found it. Moving this fast it requires very short exposures for accurate measurements while not being very bright. A challenge in itself. When doing astrometry aperture rules! Bigger really is better.
Once large survey telescopes find an object they rely on observatories like MEO to recover and confirm the object as we chase the night shadow around the globe. If not recovered quickly it can be lost because the orbital elements just don't have enough data points to be accurate for recovery. Many objects are lost daily due to this. Location, weather and the moon have an influence on being able to make observations not to mention the need to go to work the next day!
Its great fun chasing rocks in the sky. More importantly, keeping Earth safe through good backyard science!
AL std Asteroid AL Std Asteroid letterWhile it is very satisfying to contribute Astrometry to the Minor Planet Center and help confirm new objects and refine orbits of Near Earth Objects there is not much recognition so it was nice to get this in the mail today from the Astronomical league.
Copy of 2023-NSTC-National-Preparedness-Strategy-and-Action-Plan-for-Near-Earth-Object-Hazards-and-Planetary-Defense (1).pdfNation Preparedness Strategy & Action Plan for Near-Earth Object Hazards and Planetary Defense 2023
Copy of nasa_-_planetary_defense_strategy_-_final-508.pdfNASA Planetary Defense Strategy and Action Plan2023
Torino Scale
The Torino Scale is designed to communicate to the public the risk associated with a future Earth approach by an asteroid or comet. This scale, which has integer values from 0 to 10, takes into consideration the predicted impact energy of the event as well as its likelihood of actually happening (i.e., the event’s impact probability).
Palermo Scale
The Palermo Scale is used by specialists in the field to quantify in more detail the level of concern warranted for a future potential impact possibility. Much of the utility of the Palermo Scale lies in its ability to carefully assess the risk posed by less threatening Torino Scale 0 events, which comprise nearly all of the potential impacts detected to date. Objects are prioritized according to their Palermo Scale values in order to assess the degree to which they should receive additional attention (i.e., observations and analysis). This scale is continuous (both positive and negative values are allowed) and does incorporate the time between the current epoch and the predicted potential impact, as well as the object’s predicted impact energy and likelihood of occurrence.
New-style Provisional Designation Scheme for Objects
New-style Provisional Designation Scheme for Objects
For example, the provisional designation 2016 EK156 stands for the 3910th body identified during 1–15 March 2016:
- 2016 – the first element indicates the year of discovery.
- E – the first letter indicates the half-month of the object's discovery within that year and ranges from A (first half of January) to Y (second half of December), while the letters I and Z are not used (see table below). The first half is always the 1st through to the 15th of the month, regardless of the numbers of days in the second "half". Thus, E indicates the period from March 1 to 15.[4][5]
- K156 – the second letter and a numerical suffix indicate the order of discovery within that half-month. The first 25 discoveries of the half-month only receive a letter (A to Z) without a suffix, while the letter I is not used (to avoid potential confusions with the digit 1). Because modern techniques typically yield hundreds if not thousands of discoveries per half-month, the subscript number is appended to indicate the number of times that the letters from A to Z have cycled through. The suffix 156 indicates 156 completed cycles (156 cycles × 25 letters = 3900), while K is the 10th position in the current cycle. Thus, K156 stands for the 3910th minor planet discovered in a half-month.
- The packed form of 2016 EK156 is written as K16EF6K.
- During the first half-month of January 2014, the first minor planet identification was assigned the provisional designation 2014 AA. Then the assignment continued to the end of the cycle at 2014 AZ, which was in turn followed by the first identification of the second cycle, 2014 AA1. The assignment in this second cycle continued with 2014 AB1, 2014 AC1, 2014 AD1... until 2014 AZ1, and then was continued with 2014 AA2 the first item in the third cycle. With the beginning of a new half-month on 16 January 2014, the first letter changed to "B", and the series started with 2014 BA.
- An idiosyncrasy of this system is that the second letter is listed before the number, even though the second letter is considered "least-significant". This is in contrast to most of the world's numbering systems. This idiosyncrasy is not seen, however, in the so-called packed form (packed designation).
- A packed designation has no spaces. It may also use letters to codify for the designation's year and subscript number. It is frequently used in online and electronic documents. For example, the provisional designation 2007 TA418 is written as K07Tf8A in the packed form, where "K07" stands for the year 2007, and "f8" for the subscript number 418.
- 90377 Sedna, a large trans-Neptunian object, had the provisional designation 2003 VB12, meaning it was identified in the first half of November 2003 (as indicated by the letter "V"), and that it was the 302nd object identified during that time, as 12 cycles of 25 letters give 300, and the letter "B" is the second position in the current cycle.
- Survey designations do not follow the rules for new-style provisional designations.
- For technical reasons, such as ASCII limitations, the numerical suffix is not always subscripted, but sometimes "flattened out", so that 1989 SG1 can also be written as 1989 SG1.
- A very busy half month was the second half of January 2015 (letter "B"), which saw a total of 14,208 new minor planet identifications as of May 2019. One of the last assignments in this period was 2015 BH568 and corresponds to the 14,208th position in the sequence.[1]
Asteroid Hunter Video See how the Pros do it and How Amateurs Contribute
You may notice from these images that they aren't very pretty. Well, they are to some people! Even though they are full of noise the objects of study is there and the data that is needed is there as well. Extra processing of images like these only hurt the raw data so minimal processing is done. These only have a dark frame removed. The timing stamp of the exposure must be very accurate. Mid time is used for the position measurement and comes from a GPS time sync to the imaging computer accurate to within milliseconds.
Carl Hergenrother, OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Astronomy lead, Target Asteroids! co-lead, and Target NEOs! cocoordinator, compiled the original Target Asteroids! list by selecting near-Earth objects that are larger than 200 meters in size and accessible for sample return spacecraft missions. Additional brighter, Main-belt asteroids that are analogues to (101955) Bennu have been added, too.
This list is dynamic and changes as we learn more about these objects and astronomers discover new objects.
335
Asteroid 335 "Roberta"
MEO Astrometry and Data for (335) "Roberta"
Astrometrica
COD W42
OBS J. T. Grage
MEA J. T. Grage
TEL 0.3m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain + CCD + f/3 Focal Reducer
ACK MPCReport file updated 2023.04.08 01:25:55
NET UCAC-4
00335 C2023 04 08.18112 10 01 25.65 +14 11 08.7 13.4 V W42
00335 C2023 04 08.19236 10 01 25.49 +14 11 10.2 13.5 V W42
00335 C2023 04 08.20325 10 01 25.33 +14 11 11.6 13.5 V W42
----- end -----
Tycho Tracker
COD W42
CON J. Smith
OBS J. Smith
MEA J. Smith
TEL 0.30-m f/3 SCT + CMO
NUM 3
ACK MPCReport file updated 2023.04.08 13:14:47
NET ATLAS2
00335 B2023 04 08.18112 10 01 25.65 +14 11 08.8 13.3 V W42
00335 B2023 04 08.19236 10 01 25.48 +14 11 10.2 13.4 V W42
00335 B2023 04 08.20325 10 01 25.32 +14 11 11.6 13.3 V W42
----- end -----
Astrometrica
00335 C2023 04 08.18112 10 01 25.65 +14 11 08.7 13.4 Vq W42
00335 C2023 04 08.19236 10 01 25.49 +14 11 10.2 13.5 Vq W42
00335 C2023 04 08.20325 10 01 25.33 +14 11 11.6 13.5 Vq W42
(W42) Mind's Eye Observatory, Vero Beach (N27.764537 W80.534310) US/Florida.
Observer J. T. Grage. 0.3m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain + CCD + f/3 Focal
Reducer.
Perihelion 2024 Sep 1.16738 +/- 1277 TT = 4:01:01 (JD 2460554.66738)
Epoch 2023 Apr 8.0 TT = JDT 2460042.5 Earth MOID: 0.9504 Auto-Find
M 216.61762782 +/- 110 (J2000 ecliptic)
n 0.27995217 +/- 0.26 Peri. 167.38434 +/- 58
a 2.31426712 +/- 1.43 Node 149.59618 +/- 8
e 0.1514386 +/- 0.232 Incl. 5.34389 +/- 46
P 3.52 H 9.13 G 0.15 U 11.9 SR
q 1.96379761 +/- 2.86 Q 2.66473663 +/- 78.5
From 3 observations 2023 Apr. 8 (31.9 min); mean residual 0".02
230408 W42 .01- .01- 230408 W42 .03+ .02+ 230408 W42 .01- .01-
Date (UTC) RA Dec delta r elong mag " sig PA
---- ----- ------------ ------------ ------ ------ ----- --- --------
2023 04 08 10 01 28.173 +14 10 45.37 1.8542 2.6114 129.9 13.5 6.94 17
2023 04 09 10 01 15.719 +14 12 56.95 1.8636 2.6106 128.8 13.5 73.2 171
2023 04 10 10 01 04.901 +14 14 58.35 1.8732 2.6098 127.8 13.5 154 177
2023 04 11 10 00 55.718 +14 16 49.63 1.8828 2.6090 126.8 13.5 241 1
2023 04 12 10 00 48.168 +14 18 30.84 1.8927 2.6082 125.7 13.5 338 4
2023 04 13 10 00 42.250 +14 20 02.02 1.9026 2.6073 124.7 13.6 445 7
2023 04 14 10 00 37.959 +14 21 23.22 1.9127 2.6065 123.7 13.6 565 9
2023 04 15 10 00 35.293 +14 22 34.50 1.9229 2.6057 122.7 13.6 696 11
2023 04 16 10 00 34.246 +14 23 35.92 1.9332 2.6048 121.7 13.6 839 12
2023 04 17 10 00 34.813 +14 24 27.53 1.9437 2.6040 120.8 13.6 994 13
2023 04 18 10 00 36.987 +14 25 09.38 1.9542 2.6031 119.8 13.6 1161 14
2023 04 19 10 00 40.760 +14 25 41.55 1.9649 2.6022 118.8 13.7 1340 15
2023 04 20 10 00 46.124 +14 26 04.11 1.9757 2.6014 117.9 13.7 1530 16
2023 04 21 10 00 53.066 +14 26 17.12 1.9865 2.6005 116.9 13.7 1731 16
2023 04 22 10 01 01.575 +14 26 20.67 1.9975 2.5996 116.0 13.7 1942 17
2023 04 23 10 01 11.636 +14 26 14.86 2.0085 2.5987 115.0 13.7 2164 17
2023 04 24 10 01 23.235 +14 25 59.76 2.0196 2.5978 114.1 13.8 2396 18
2023 04 25 10 01 36.355 +14 25 35.49 2.0308 2.5969 113.2 13.8 2639 18
2023 04 26 10 01 50.980 +14 25 02.13 2.0421 2.5960 112.3 13.8 2891 18
2023 04 27 10 02 07.092 +14 24 19.79 2.0535 2.5951 111.4 13.8 3152 19
Tycho Tracker
00335 B2023 04 08.18112 10 01 25.65 +14 11 08.8 13.3 VZ W42
00335 B2023 04 08.19236 10 01 25.48 +14 11 10.2 13.4 VZ W42
00335 B2023 04 08.20325 10 01 25.32 +14 11 11.6 13.3 VZ W42
(W42) Mind's Eye Observatory, Vero Beach (N27.764537 W80.534310) US/Florida.
Observer J. Smith. 0.30-m f/3 SCT + CMO.
Perihelion 2024 Aug 29.05912 +/- 1253 TT = 1:25:07 (JD 2460551.55912)
Epoch 2023 Apr 8.0 TT = JDT 2460042.5 Earth MOID: 0.9222 Auto-Find
M 216.21428880 +/- 110 (J2000 ecliptic)
n 0.28245385 +/- 0.261 Peri. 169.00612 +/- 56
a 2.30058195 +/- 1.42 Node 148.63982 +/- 8
e 0.1586273 +/- 0.232 Incl. 5.03478 +/- 48
P 3.49 H 9.00 G 0.15 U 11.9 SR
q 1.93564673 +/- 2.84 Q 2.66551718 +/- 74.9
From 3 observations 2023 Apr. 8 (31.9 min); mean residual 0".01
230408 W42 .01+ .01+ 230408 W42 .02- .02- 230408 W42 .01+ .01+
Date (UTC) RA Dec delta r elong mag " sig PA
---- ----- ------------ ------------ ------ ------ ----- --- --------
2023 04 09 10 01 15.349 +14 12 53.29 1.8640 2.6110 128.8 13.3 73.2 171
2023 04 10 10 01 04.085 +14 14 50.18 1.8736 2.6102 127.8 13.4 154 177
2023 04 11 10 00 54.460 +14 16 36.98 1.8832 2.6093 126.8 13.4 242 1
2023 04 12 10 00 46.473 +14 18 13.76 1.8931 2.6085 125.7 13.4 339 4
2023 04 13 10 00 40.121 +14 19 40.56 1.9030 2.6076 124.7 13.4 447 7
2023 04 14 10 00 35.402 +14 20 57.44 1.9131 2.6068 123.7 13.4 567 9
2023 04 15 10 00 32.311 +14 22 04.45 1.9233 2.6059 122.7 13.5 698 11
2023 04 16 10 00 30.843 +14 23 01.64 1.9336 2.6050 121.7 13.5 842 12
2023 04 17 10 00 30.995 +14 23 49.07 1.9440 2.6042 120.8 13.5 998 13
2023 04 18 10 00 32.757 +14 24 26.81 1.9546 2.6033 119.8 13.5 1165 14
2023 04 19 10 00 36.124 +14 24 54.91 1.9652 2.6024 118.8 13.5 1344 15
2023 04 20 10 00 41.085 +14 25 13.44 1.9760 2.6015 117.9 13.6 1535 16
2023 04 21 10 00 47.629 +14 25 22.49 1.9868 2.6006 116.9 13.6 1736 16
2023 04 22 10 00 55.744 +14 25 22.13 1.9978 2.5997 116.0 13.6 1948 17
2023 04 23 10 01 05.416 +14 25 12.45 2.0088 2.5988 115.0 13.6 2171 17
2023 04 24 10 01 16.630 +14 24 53.55 2.0199 2.5978 114.1 13.6 2403 17
2023 04 25 10 01 29.370 +14 24 25.51 2.0311 2.5969 113.2 13.6 2646 18
2023 04 26 10 01 43.618 +14 23 48.44 2.0424 2.5960 112.2 13.7 2899 18
2023 04 27 10 01 59.358 +14 23 02.45 2.0537 2.5950 111.3 13.7 3161 18
2023 04 28 10 02 16.571 +14 22 07.63 2.0651 2.5941 110.4 13.7 3432 19
(101955) Bennu OSIRIS-REx Target
12 "Victoria"
12 Victoria
(Tycho Tracker Data Reduction)
COD W42
CON J. Grage
OBS J. Grage
MEA J. Grage
TEL 0.30-m f/3 SCT + CMO
NUM 3
ACK MPCReport file updated 2023.05.03 22:36:03
NET ATLAS2
AC2 Mindseyeobs@gmail.com
00012 KB2023 05 03.05535 07 03 47.48 +15 31 28.3 13.0 V W42
00012 KB2023 05 03.06925 07 03 48.48 +15 31 27.6 13.0 V W42
00012 KB2023 05 03.08312 07 03 49.47 +15 31 26.8 12.9 V W42
----- end -----
Astrometry:
00012 KB2023 05 03.05535 07 03 47.48 +15 31 28.3 13.0 VZ W42
00012 KB2023 05 03.06925 07 03 48.48 +15 31 27.6 13.0 VZ W42
00012 KB2023 05 03.08312 07 03 49.47 +15 31 26.8 12.9 VZ W42
Station data:
(W42) Mind's Eye Observatory, Vero Beach (N27.764537 W80.534310) US/Florida.
Observer J. Grage. 0.30-m f/3 SCT + CMO.
Orbital elements: (12)
Perihelion 2025 Feb 3.02670 +/- 148 TT = 0:38:26 (JD 2460709.52670)
Epoch 2023 May 3.0 TT = JDT 2460067.5 Earth MOID: 0.8236 Auto-Find
M 182.24729387 +/- 110 (J2000 ecliptic)
n 0.27686186 +/- 0.613 Peri. 64.63474 +/- 60
a 2.33145637 +/- 3.44 Node 238.25638 +/- 58
e 0.2194756 +/- 0.215 Incl. 8.54877 +/- 60
P 3.56 H 7.26 G 0.15 U 12.4 SR
q 1.81975851 +/- 0.831 Q 2.84315422 +/- 20.2
From 3 observations 2023 May 3 (40.0 min); mean residual 0".03
Residuals in arcseconds:
230503 W42 .02- .02- 230503 W42 .04+ .03+ 230503 W42 .02- .02-
Ephemerides (geocentric):
Date (UTC) RA Dec delta r elong mag " sig PA
---- ----- ------------ ------------ ------ ------ ----- --- --------
2023 05 04 07 04 56.069 +15 30 39.85 3.1549 2.8428 63.0 13.0 114 146
2023 05 05 07 06 09.036 +15 29 43.87 3.1671 2.8427 62.3 13.0 161 1
2023 05 06 07 07 22.514 +15 28 43.98 3.1792 2.8427 61.7 13.0 345 12
2023 05 07 07 08 36.493 +15 27 40.17 3.1913 2.8426 61.0 13.0 588 11
2023 05 08 07 09 50.964 +15 26 32.43 3.2032 2.8425 60.3 13.0 872 10
2023 05 09 07 11 05.916 +15 25 20.72 3.2151 2.8424 59.7 13.0 1192 9
2023 05 10 07 12 21.342 +15 24 05.05 3.2268 2.8422 59.0 13.0 1543 9
2023 05 11 07 13 37.233 +15 22 45.37 3.2385 2.8421 58.4 13.0 1925 9
2023 05 12 07 14 53.580 +15 21 21.67 3.2501 2.8420 57.7 13.0 2335 9
2023 05 13 07 16 10.376 +15 19 53.93 3.2616 2.8418 57.1 13.0 2772 8
2023 05 14 07 17 27.612 +15 18 22.13 3.2730 2.8417 56.4 13.0 3236 8
2023 05 15 07 18 45.280 +15 16 46.23 3.2843 2.8415 55.8 13.0 3726 8
2023 05 16 07 20 03.371 +15 15 06.23 3.2955 2.8414 55.1 13.0 4243 8
2023 05 17 07 21 21.876 +15 13 22.09 3.3066 2.8412 54.5 13.0 4786 8
2023 05 18 07 22 40.785 +15 11 33.81 3.3176 2.8410 53.9 13.0 5356 8
2023 05 19 07 24 00.089 +15 09 41.35 3.3285 2.8408 53.2 13.0 5952 8
2023 05 20 07 25 19.778 +15 07 44.71 3.3393 2.8406 52.6 13.0 6577 9
2023 05 21 07 26 39.844 +15 05 43.88 3.3499 2.8404 52.0 13.0 7231 9
2023 05 22 07 28 00.274 +15 03 38.83 3.3605 2.8402 51.3 13.0 7914 9
2023 05 23 07 29 21.061 +15 01 29.57 3.3710 2.8400 50.7 13.0 8628 9
Asteroid (68278) 2001 FC7 was OSIRIS-REx finalist
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroid-watch
https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/
https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/overview
(1197) Rhodesia Main Belt
(1197) Rhodesia Main Belt
(Tycho Tracker Data Reduction)
COD W42
CON J. Grage
OBS J. Grage
MEA J. Grage
TEL 0.30-m f/3 SCT + CMO
NUM 3
ACK MPCReport file updated 2023.05.03 23:26:47
NET ATLAS2
AC2 Mindseyeobs@gmail.com
01197 KB2023 05 03.12128 07 30 34.72 +10 44 33.0 15.1 V W42
01197 KB2023 05 03.13016 07 30 35.54 +10 44 31.5 15.3 V W42
01197 KB2023 05 03.13918 07 30 36.38 +10 44 30.0 16.1 V W42
----- end -----
Astrometry:
01197 KB2023 05 03.12128 07 30 34.72 +10 44 33.0 15.1 VZ W42
01197 KB2023 05 03.13016 07 30 35.54 +10 44 31.5 15.3 VZ W42
01197 KB2023 05 03.13918 07 30 36.38 +10 44 30.0 16.1 VZ W42
Station data:
(W42) Mind's Eye Observatory, Vero Beach (N27.764537 W80.534310) US/Florida.
Observer J. Grage. 0.30-m f/3 SCT + CMO.
Orbital elements: (1197)
Perihelion 2023 Nov 4.40637 +/- 108 TT = 9:45:10 (JD 2460252.90637)
Epoch 2023 May 3.0 TT = JDT 2460067.5 Earth MOID: 0.8073 Auto-Find
M 310.42088784 +/- 90 (J2000 ecliptic)
n 0.26740780 +/- 0.594 Peri. 314.01671 +/- 70
a 2.38608911 +/- 3.53 Node 262.59629 +/- 51
e 0.2499552 +/- 0.227 Incl. 13.53395 +/- 60
P 3.69 H 10.95 G 0.15 U 12.4 SR
q 1.78967351 +/- 0.656 Q 2.98250470 +/- 17.8
From 3 observations 2023 May 3 (25.8 min); mean residual 0".02
Residuals in arcseconds:
230503 W42 .02+ .00 230503 W42 .03- .01- 230503 W42 .02+ .00
Ephemerides (geocentric):
Date (UTC) RA Dec delta r elong mag " sig PA
---- ----- ------------ ------------ ------ ------ ----- --- --------
2023 05 04 07 31 57.099 +10 42 08.68 2.2174 2.1057 70.4 15.5 86.1 127
2023 05 05 07 33 31.338 +10 39 17.31 2.2252 2.1029 69.8 15.5 272 19
2023 05 06 07 35 06.358 +10 36 20.24 2.2330 2.1001 69.3 15.5 562 15
2023 05 07 07 36 42.147 +10 33 17.42 2.2408 2.0973 68.7 15.5 904 13
2023 05 08 07 38 18.692 +10 30 08.80 2.2485 2.0946 68.2 15.5 1286 12
2023 05 09 07 39 55.983 +10 26 54.35 2.2561 2.0918 67.6 15.5 1702 11
2023 05 10 07 41 34.008 +10 23 34.01 2.2637 2.0890 67.1 15.5 2150 11
2023 05 11 07 43 12.758 +10 20 07.74 2.2712 2.0863 66.5 15.5 2626 10
2023 05 12 07 44 52.222 +10 16 35.49 2.2787 2.0835 66.0 15.5 3131 10
2023 05 13 07 46 32.391 +10 12 57.21 2.2861 2.0808 65.5 15.5 3661 10
2023 05 14 07 48 13.255 +10 09 12.84 2.2934 2.0781 64.9 15.5 4218 10
2023 05 15 07 49 54.804 +10 05 22.33 2.3007 2.0753 64.4 15.5 4801 10
2023 05 16 07 51 37.027 +10 01 25.64 2.3079 2.0726 63.9 15.5 5410 10
2023 05 17 07 53 19.913 +09 57 22.71 2.3151 2.0699 63.4 15.5 6047 10
2023 05 18 07 55 03.453 +09 53 13.50 2.3222 2.0672 62.9 15.5 6713 10
2023 05 19 07 56 47.633 +09 48 57.97 2.3292 2.0644 62.4 15.5 7410 9
2023 05 20 07 58 32.443 +09 44 36.08 2.3362 2.0617 61.8 15.5 8140 9
2023 05 21 08 00 17.871 +09 40 07.80 2.3431 2.0590 61.3 15.5 8910 9
2023 05 22 08 02 03.905 +09 35 33.09 2.3500 2.0563 60.8 15.5 9723 9
2023 05 23 08 03 50.532 +09 30 51.93 2.3568 2.0537 60.3 15.5 176' 9
2023 JF
Asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroid
2023
Despite the Monsoon season here in Florida Mind's Eye Observatory completes the Minor Planet Centers requirements successfully and receives the IAU Observatory code W42. I will be contributing astrometric measurements to Arc seconds accuracy and photometry to the science community to help refine orbits of solar system bodies. These measurements are sent to the International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory at Harvard . MEO will also be performing scans of the sky in areas that are not covered well by the large sky surveys looking for new objects.
Asteroid 1433 Geramtina
Asteroid 1433 Geramtina
1433 Geramtina, provisional designation 1937 UC, is a stony Gefion asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 14 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Belgian astronomer Eugène Delporte at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle on 30 October 1937.
The asteroid was named "Geramtina" after the sister of Swedish astronomer Bror Asplind. Geramtina has an ordinary chondritic composition and has been considered a candidate for being the parent body of the H chondrites. However, results are inconclusive, and recent HCM analysis suggest that Geramtina is a Gefionian interloper rather than a core member of the family. The asteroid has a tentative rotation period of 14 hours.
Data reduction example of asteroid 1433 Geramtina on 2021/10/19 viewed in negative format.
In this image the green circles are stars used in the measurement of the position of 1433 seen at center. The red boxes are last observed positions of asteroids in the image. As you can see the I am unable to reach down to their magnitude at this time. The centroid of the asteroid is found and a measurement from this point and mid exposure time is made. This position is reported to the Minor Planet center for used in refining the orbit and reducing the average residuals.
Orbit view of
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