Announcement J62

The point you are raising is an interesting one. It's all well and good obtaining an observatory code, but if one doesn't persue any scientific goals, then one could argue that there is little point in obtaining the code in the first place. Afterall, there is a legitimate purpose to getting the code in the first place - it's not done just for the sake of it.

Michael,
You hit the nail on the head, I just dont see the point of doing this if you are not going to be a regular contributer, I personally wouldnt bother doing it just the once to get a observatory code. When I've done pretty much all I have on my check list of things to do (and I can tell you its a mile long and delayed by weather) I might give this a go.
For me, at the moment I'd rather be looking through the scope and taking planetary/deepsky images.
Its abit like going fishing, I'm not out to catch the biggest salmon out there to analyse its DNA, I just want to catch my salmon and eat it. :lol:

Doing the science is definitely what interests me.
I believe that once you've done all the science to earn the obs code you're already into the science big time so you've probably earned any kudos an obs code brings. Asteroid telemetry etc is probably one of the few places that amateurs can make a real difference scientifically (obviously there variable stars also but that would probably drive me crazy).

As Dave Lillis said doing it just once to get an obs code seems both shallow and futile etc etc.

John,

There is enough basic information listed in the IFAS postings as to procedures in MP astrometry.

Also Dave's posting 'Announcement J65' has some really good practical procedures to follow for the Ob. Code.

Regarding doing the practical side, instrumentation, methods, etc alot of all this has been listed previously in both annoncements you could follow.

I am assuming you have some kit. ie. instrument, and possibly software.

Familiarization of the MP observing is important requisite in order to follow through with fine tuning. In particular for accurate astrometry:

PC clock set to correct time
Good polar alignment > accurate tracking > sharp images
Good focus > sharp images
Correct exposure times > avoid saturation
Application of dark frames & flat fields > sharp images.

Astrometry is the measurement of the position of an asteroid or any other astronomical object. eg. comet. Accurate astrometry enables the orbit of an asteroid to be defined and subsequently refined. The longer the period of observation the better defined will be the orbit. (Initial orbit calculations, which by definition are not well defined, are often the source of media speculation as to possible impacts with newly discovered NEAs.

The above comments should get you started.

At present, it is debatable if there is enough interest by IFAS members to lead in to a 2 part workshop on MP astrometry. You appear to be the only one showing interest, it would be great if there were a few others to make it worthwhile planning a whole workshop.

Eamonn A

You can add one more for workshop numbers.

JMP

Dont get me wrong, if there was a presentation at one of the starparties on this, I would go to it, its good to know this stuff anyway.

Great news, congrats Eamonn, a recognition for Kingsland observatory is well warranted. Keep up the great work.