Hello southern hemisphere friends,
I am a german amateur astronomer who is very active in asteroid observation. A fellow astronomer, Alexander Christ, programmed a particular simulator to compute the motions of all known solar system bodies. This particular simulator (ArtemisSIMULATOR) searches, based on absolute actual datas from MPC and Lowell Observatory, for near flyby events of asteroids and other solar system bodies. This simulations submit a directed observation of asteroids, that may be troubled because of near flyby events or collisions of the bodies.
We need help for this project!!! The predicted flybys have to be reobserved. For this, a global network of astronomers is necessary.
I want to give an example of what I am talking about
:
The ArtemisSIMULATOR predicted on 20 march 2010 the following event:
+18.490938 -25.477184 * AST JUSTINKOVAC 19.49 1.971405 20/03/+2010 19.000000
+18.490973 -25.486012 * AST 2002 AC9 25.23 1.971408 20/03/+2010 19.000000
45477.75 (km) !!! NEA-Object [**] Encounter-Approximation ALARM !!!
This means, the asteroids JUSTIN KOVAC and 2002 AC9 had a very near flyby (45 477 km = 28 260 miles) on 03/20/2010 at 19.00 h UT. 2002 AC9 is classified as a NEO (Near Earth Object) and a PHA (Potential Hazardous Asteroid) , what means, it is a asteroid which crosses the earths orbital path. If the orbit of 2002 AC9 was disturbed through this flyby, we need to know that!!! 2002 AC9 comes near earth (distzance: 0,049 AU!!) mid august 2010 for the next time.
In near earth position 2002 AC9 is in fotographic reach of many amateur instruments (about 18 mag) but it is only observable in the southern hemisphere
. This is where YOU come into play...
If someone is interested to help in this matter, more informations are available here:
VectorSCOPE Forum (brandnew mulitlingual forum for solar system observation)
If someone wants do download the free software tool to work with the datas of ArtemisSIMULATOR, click here:
ArtemisNAVIGATOR
Everybody who is interested in asteroid observation or joining this striking project is very welcome.
Thank you for reading!!
Best regards
Oliver
Attachements:
1. 2002 AC9 at 03/20/2010 (image from: JPL Small Body Browser)
2. 2002 AC9 at 08/13/2010 (image from: JPL Small Body Browser)
3. 2002 AC9 from 04/01/2010 to 09/01/2010 (ArtemisNAVIGATOR chart)
Help for worldwide asteroid watching
