The Minor Planet Center’s reports for August reveal a record breaking month for D21, Shenton Park.
From July 20 to August 8, we made 348 observations of 78 objects (previous best was 266 back in August 2007). Among the many submitted NEO recovery observations, D21 features on a number of special MPECs, including 2 faint NEOs recoveries (2002 AC9, 2002 NE71), 9 NEO confirmations, and 1 new main belt asteroid (2010 OE100).
Thanks as always must go my collaborator Dr Paulo Holvorcem, and his excellent pipeline.
Three quick confirmations before the onset of bad weather. The MPECs for each can be found at 2010PM10, 2010PQ10, and 2010PR10.
With the published observations of 2010 NR1, Luckas Observatory hits its 1000th published Near Earth Object observation. Together with this milestone, D21 also confirmed 2010 PM10 at magnitude 19.7. The MPEC can be found here, and D21′s full listing of 1000 NEO observations can be found here at NEODyS.
Despite cloud interruptions, automation at D21 allowed the recovery of 7 NEOCP objects, 4 of which appear on special MPECs. The night began with confirmation attempts on 5 new LINEAR targets. D21 achieved two immediate recoveries, reducing the target uncertainties to zero. Automated resumption after clouds allowed the recovery of the remaining LINEAR targets, including 2010 PL9 with a published magnitude of 19.7, and two new NEOs from our cousins at E12. The 4 confirmations that achieved MPECs are 2010 PH9, 2010PJ9, 2010PK9 and 2010PL9.
Thanks as always to Paulo’s uncanny targetting skills, and excellent pipeline.
Another busy two nights at D21 following up LINEAR and WISE targets sees us join a number of other observatories in confirming several new near Earth objects, including two which appear in special MPECS – 2010 PJ and 2010 PO2.
With an uncertainty line of some 16 degrees long, Paulo Holvorcem scheduled a of mosaic of 35 overlapping fields at Luckas Observatory. The NEO was finally found almost 4 degrees from its nominal position on night two of the search. A third night of clear skies at Shenton Park netted this important recovery thanks to Paulo’s excellent pipeline. The MPEC can be found here.
D21 Shenton Park finds its third main belt asteroid during routine recovery work on July 20. The asteroid’s orbit appears more eccentric and have lower perihelion than
typical main belters. At a magnitude close to 19, the object appears clearly in this compilation of 300s images … Continue reading →
D21 Shenton Park recovers 2002 AC9 under the waxing first quarter moon. Pre-recovered in images taken on July 19, 2002 AC9 was found again on July 20 approximately 1 degree from its nominal position. A 15 field mosaic was initially used to track down the magnitude 18.5 minor planet, in which an additional 11 faint known main belt asteroids were also detected by Paulo’s excellent pipeline. The MPEC can be found here.
Additional images of 2002 BF25 taken by Paulo Holvorcem at D21 on July 19 have reduced the uncertainty to < 1″ in time for scheduled radar observations at Arecibo. Imaged in the morning sky, 2002 BF25 is now moving at 9.5 degrees per day as it heads towards solar conjunction.
Under freezing temperatures, D21 recovers 2002 BF25 over two clear winter nights. Observed last in March 2002, the recovery has reduced the uncertainty of 2002 BF25 considerably. This is important, as the object will become an Arecibo radar target during July 22nd – 24th. The MPEC can be found here. Thanks to Paulo Holvorcem.
