Astrometry and Photometry of Faint, High Priority Solar System Objects
Abstract
We propose to use MOSAIC 1.1 on the Mayall 4-meter telescope to improve knowledge of the orbits and magnitudes of high priority classes of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and other small solar system bodies that cannot be reached with our Spacewatch telescopes. Many asteroids and comets are being lost owing to insufficient followup astrometry, but only the most important ones can continue to be observed with the limited resources available. Objects flagged as high scientific priority and urgently in need of further observations include freshly discovered virtual impactors (VIs) and NEOs discovered by the soon-to-be reactivated WISE spacecraft. It is better to follow objects longer during their discovery apparitions than to search tens of degrees of arc for them when they return years later, hence our need to reach fainter magnitudes. Other targets for recovery include future targets of radar, NEOs previously detected by WISE with orbits or albedos suggesting potential for cometary activity, potential destinations for spacecraft, and returning NEOs with hard-won albedos and diameters previously determined by WISE in need of astrometry.
- Publication:
-
NOAO Proposal
- Pub Date:
- February 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014noao.prop..414M