December 2023

November 2023

Hello Darkness my Old Friend

Soon You'll Be at 5 P.M.!!

Time for moving the clock to standard time!

2023 VB2 Close Approach

Mind's Eye Observatory (MEO) accomplished a successful tracking of the Apollo class asteroid 2023 VB2 on November 6 as it rapidly approached Earth at a speed of over 17 kilometers per second in relation to our planet. This asteroid, approximately 8 meters in size, was moving at a velocity of around 32,800 kilometers per hour, and it is not categorized as a potentially hazardous object. The initial discovery of this asteroid was made by the Nanshan Station at the Xinjiang Observatory in China on November 5, 2023.

MEO conducted astrometry and shared the data with the Minor Planet Center, contributing to the precise calculation of the asteroid's orbit. This event underscores the critical importance of monitoring and tracking celestial objects regularly. Notably, this asteroid made the closest approach to Earth of any asteroid this year, coming within 32,800 kilometers, which is roughly ten times closer than the distance to the Moon.

It's essential to emphasize that while this asteroid's approach was an exciting astronomical event, there was no risk of it colliding with Earth. This serves as a testament to the significance of early detection and ongoing tracking efforts by many dedicated people including amateurs.

Despite the fatigue from a long day, the decision to open the observatory was undeniably worthwhile.

September 2023

July 2023

Summer Equipment upgrades and projects

Summer upgrade projects are in full swing as the Florida monsoon season this year has been relentless. Using the down time has been a challenge with some technical hurdles but is coming together nicely. Design and construction of a new upgraded instrument trolley with precision U bearing wheels and a track system to achieve goals in operation I listed below. I hope my experimentation helps others in setting up there own AIS and home observatory on a reasonable budget using locally available and off the shelf products. For Christmas my wife got me some supplies from "Maker Pipe" a new company making products for the DIY building people out there in he world. I long wanted a flexible way to move instruments and lighting on the trolley as needed and this has been fun and fits the bill perfectly. locally available 3/4 EMT pipe has been the theme of this years upgrades. It is used on the trolley and also is used for the new precision tracks.

May 2023

1. 1. To discover, monitor, and physically characterize the potentially hazardous NEO population using optical and radar facilities and other assets based in both the northern and southern hemispheres and in space;
2. To provide and maintain an internationally recognized clearing house function for the receipt, acknowledgement and processing of all NEO observations;
3. To act as a global portal, serving as the international focal point for accurate and validated information on the NEO population;
4. To coordinate campaigns for the observation of potentially hazardous objects;
5. To recommend policies regarding criteria and thresholds for notification of an emerging impact threat;
6. To develop a database of potential impact consequences, depending on geography, geology, population distribution and other related factors;
7. To assess hazard analysis results and communicate them to entities that should be identified by Member States as being responsible for the receipt of notification of an impact threat in accordance with established policies
8. To assist Governments in the analysis of impact consequences and in the planning of mitigation responses.

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!

April 2023

While 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. 

March 2023

A few "Now & Laters" while taking a break from chasing asteroids

February 2023

January 2023

Mar Occultation January 2023

Here are a few images from last night's live show on NSN of the Mars Occultation. 

It was a lot of fun to share with everyone that stayed up for the show.

 I was timing the occultation using NMEA GPS time adjusted for latency. Timing occultations can supply a lot of information that can be relevant to discovery and research and has been used for a very long time.

 The most interesting part was the amount of black drop effect observed at fourth contact or Mars separation from the moon after reappearance. This made it a challenge to time the fourth contact and lasted 6.115 seconds for me.

  The black drop effect is a teardrop shape that hinders the separation of the two objects and its cause is still debated. That problem marred observations centuries ago that was to furnish the sun's distance from us that was ultimately measured by other means.

  That's the science part! The aesthetic part is just as enjoyable.

                                                             First contact            fail

Second contact           2023 01 31 05:41 :33:596 UTC

Third contact            2023 01 31 06:20 :44:212 UTC

Fourth contact           2023 01 31 06:21 :21:975 UTC

Black Drop effect ends @ 2023 01 31 06:21 :28:090 UTC

Time supplied by NMEA gps to Milliseconds

April

May

January

In his backyard, beneath the stars,

A telescope and a chair, that's all he needs

To delve into the mysteries of space,

And find what others might not see.

With a keen and curious eye,

He gazes at the cosmos wide,

Tracking comets and asteroids,

And marveling at their celestial ride.

He ponders questions of existence,

And wonders at the universe's vast expanse,

For in this astronomer's mind,

There is no greater joy than the chance

To explore the endless sky above,

And gaze upon the celestial beauty,

For in this backyard astronomer's love,

The wonders of space are his true duty.

Verse about a backyard astronomer:

Gazing up at the stars above,

In his backyard, with eyes of love.

He studies the skies with such delight,

With his telescope, a celestial sight.

A wonder in the night, a mystery to unfold,

A backyard astronomer, forever bold.

Tracking planets, stars, and galaxies untold,

Inquiring the secrets, the universe has hold.

With patience and passion, he seeks the truth,

Exploring the cosmos, with a love that's uncouth.

The night sky his playground, a cosmic expanse,

A backyard astronomer, with a cosmic romance.

In the quiet of the night,

Where stars shine oh so bright,

He stands alone with gaze up high,

Backyard astronomer, gazing at the sky.

With telescope in hand,

He scans the cosmos so grand,

From distant planets to shooting stars,

His passion for space, it never bars.

Through the lens he sees it all,

The mysteries of the universe, so tall,

Lost in wonder, lost in awe,

His love for astronomy, forever raw.

With each new discovery made,

His excitement can never fade,

For the backyard astronomer, it's clear,

The sky above, is what he holds dear.