Category Archives: Minor Planet Posts

2012 TV discovered by our friends at Tenagra was imaged by the new Ritchey-Chrétien at D21. With an estimated diameter of between 20m and 40m, this fast moving NEO brightened and sped up as it headed south, coming within the orbit of … Continue reading →

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, Shenton Park 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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 Shenton Park Observatory. The NEO was finally found almost 4 degrees from its nominal position on night two of the … 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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

Shenton Park Observatory joins a number of others in the confirmation of two new Near Earth Objects – 2010 JF and 2010 JG – thanks to some excellent seeing, and Paulo Holvorcem’s hard work. The two MPECS can be found … Continue reading →

An intervening full moon, and a quiet period for southern hemisphere observers allowed D21 to assist in the recovery of 2008 JP as it slid past our sister station’s southern horizon. The MPEC can be found here.

A near encounter with the south celestial pole,  2007 XB10 is finally recovered by D21 under some challenging weather conditions.

Shenton Park Observatory (D21) continues its record breaking faint target work with the recovery of 2008 VK14.

The automation at Shenton Park Observatory was put to the test after a period of inactivity this week with several important NEO confirmations and follow up observations:

After a long hiatus due to some serious site renovations, Shenton Park Observatory is back on-line and has immediately provided important follow up work for JPL on 2010 DJ1 – the fastest moving NEO yet tracked by us.

In another first, 2008 WB59 was recovered by D21 and followed shortly after by our sister station Tenagra Arizona (926). The Australia/US recovery was coordinated by Paulo Holvorcem in South America. A truly global team! The MPEC can be found … Continue reading →

Under very challenging conditions (a near full moon), D21 Shenton Park recovers 2005 TY51. Recovered by us initially on August 28th, we had to wait through bad weather until September 3rd to confirm our observations. Fortunately most stations are ‘closed … Continue reading →

Luckas Obseratory (D21) takes advantage of a clear night after weeks of endless rain and among its numerous NEO submissions, manages an appearance in a special MPEC 2009-Q56 announcing a new NEO, 2009 QF31. Thanks as always to Paulo Holvorcem. The MPEC … Continue reading →

Shenton Park Observatory (D21) as part of the Tenagra initiative recovered NEO 2004 RK9. Not seen since 2004, the magnitude 19.6 target represents the culmination of efforts to fine tune the telescope’s tracking, and allow longer un-guided exposures for fainter objects. … Continue reading →

Tenagra Western Australia’s potential “first” minor planet discovery has been followed now for almost 4 months. It has yet to be linked with a previous discovery, which is amazing for such a bright object. Further observations at future oppositions will … Continue reading →

Long lost asteroid 6344P-L was co-recovered as 2007RR9 by SETI and Tenagra Western Australia. This is a potentially hazardous “dead” comet nucleus. See the animated GIF made by Paulo Holvorcem.

Tenagra Western Australia recovers long lost asteroid 2000TH1. It  was found 9.8 deg from the nominal position.  If it had been 3 FOVs further out from the nominal position, it would have been missed. The search covered 21 deg along the … Continue reading →

Tenagra Western Australia is honoured by the naming of a minor planet after the owner/astronomer Paul Luckas. Discovered in 2001 by Michael Schwartz and Paulo Holvorcem, 131186Pauluckas is a main belt asteroid. Physical and orbital details can be found at … Continue reading →

Tenagra Western Australia recovers lost minor planet – 2002SV – not far from the south celestial pole. K02S00V  C2007 08 11.88203 03 56 22.13 -76 48 40.3          19.3 R EP041D21 K02S00V  C2007 08 11.88652 03 56 19.02 -76 48 40.0          … Continue reading →