<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

Contents  on 13 August '07

• Minor-Object News -- five items
• Minor-Object Science -- four papers
• IAU Minor Planet Center
  • NEOCP Activity -- eight listings: 5 new, 3 updated
  • New MPECs -- eight MPECs
  • Observers -- fifteen observing facilities
• Impact Risk Monitoring -- nothing to report
• Chronology

Resources:

• Consolidated Risk Tables - CRT page
• Ephemerides for risk-rated objects
• Ephemerides for small asteroids

The latest news: framed access (best), RSS news feed (flags updates), or redirection - Note: A/CC has a main Web site and a backup site.

Navigation tips: Use the << and >> arrows on the menus for each regular section (Observers, Risks, etc.) to move to the previous and next day's news for that section. Use the Index menu item to access specific days this year through a calendar interface. And use the all-up news archive to access news from any time since A/CC began in early 2002. To keep track of what's new each day, watch the Chronology section.

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

Minor-Object News  on 13 August '07

• "Astronomer studies 1807 falling star," Times Argus 13 Aug. - Quote: "Monty Robson, director of the John J. McCarthy Observatory in New Milford, Conn., visited the Rutland Historical Society earlier this month looking for the home of William Page, who watched the explosion [early in the morning of Dec. 14, 1807]." {permalink}
• "Are Planetary Systems Filled to Capacity?" NASA Astrobiology Magazine 13 Aug. - Quote: "Extensive computer simulations show that the eight planets greatly disturb the motions of test particles placed on circular orbits at most locations in the solar system. Such particles are sent into close encounters with the planets, which remove them in only a few million years... But these simulations also identify several regions where objects can survive for far longer times [the asteroid and Kuiper belts, and Trojan points]." {permalink}
• "In Pictures: Meteor Shower," BBC News 13 Aug. - Note: See also Meteor shower: Your comments. {permalink}
  • "Night owls make the most of the meteors," MSNBC 12 Aug. - Quote: "Some say the Perseids [ahead of Monday morning] are more than living up to their promise... Other reviews are less glowing." {permalink}
• "Reaching for the stars," The Maui News 12 Aug. - Quote: "[Graduate astronomy student Kawai Kuluhiwa's] links to both the traditional culture of Hawaii and the technological culture of 21st century Hawaii make her uniquely qualified as a consultant to the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy and the Maui Economic Development Board to speak to visiting scientists on appropriate ways to conduct science on the mountaintops." {permalink}

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

Minor-Object Science  on 13 August '07

• "Commissioning of the Dual-Beam Imaging Polarimeter for the UH 88-inch telescope" by Masiero, Joseph with Klaus Hodapp, Dave Harrington & Haosheng Lin, abstract & PDF at arXiv.org 13 Aug. - Quote: "In this paper we present the design, calibration method, and initial results of the Dual-Beam Imaging Polarimeter (DBIP). This new instrument is designed to measure the optical polarization properties of point sources, in particular Main Belt asteroids. This instrument interfaces between the Tek 2048x2048 camera and the University of Hawaii's 88-inch telescope, and is available for facility use. Using DBIP we are able to measure linear polarization with a 1-sigma Poisson signal noise of 0.03% per measurement and a systematic error of order 0.06% +/- 0.02%. Additionally, we discuss measurements of the polarization of the asteroid 16 Psyche which were taken as part of the instrument commissioning. We confirm Psyche's negative polarization of -1.037% +/- 0.006% but find no significant modulation of the signal with rotation above the 0.05% polarization level." {permalink}
• "Towards More Precise Survey Photometry for PanSTARRS and LSST: Measuring Directly the Optical Transmission Spectrum of the Atmosphere" by Stubbs, Christopher W. with F. William High, Matthew R. George & 7 others, abstract & PDF at arXiv.org 13 Aug. - Quote: "Motivated by the recognition that variation in the optical transmission of the atmosphere is probably the main limitation to the precision of ground-based CCD measurements of celestial fluxes, we review the physical processes that attenuate the passage of light through the Earth's atmosphere. The next generation of astronomical surveys, such as PanSTARRS and LSST, will greatly benefit from dedicated apparatus to obtain atmospheric transmission data that can be associated with each survey image. We review and compare various approaches to this measurement problem, including photometry, spectroscopy, and LIDAR. In conjunction with careful measurements of instrumental throughput, atmospheric transmission measurements should allow next-generation imaging surveys to produce photometry of unprecedented precision. Our primary concerns are the real-time determination of aerosol scattering and absorption by water along the line of sight, both of which can vary over the course of a night's observations." {permalink}
• "The rotation of very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs" by Eisloeffel, Jochen with Alexander Scholz, abstract & PDF at arXiv.org 13 Aug. - Quote: "The evolution of angular momentum is a key to our understanding of star formation and stellar evolution. The rotational evolution of solar-mass stars is mostly controlled by magnetic interaction with the circumstellar disc and angular momentum loss through stellar winds. Major differences in the internal structure of very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs -- they are believed to be fully convective throughout their lives, and thus should not operate a solar-type dynamo -- may lead to major differences in the rotation and activity of these objects. Here, we report on observational studies to understand the rotational evolution of the very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs." {permalink}
• "Submillimeter arcsecond-resolution mapping of the highly collimated protostellar jet HH 211" by Lee, Chin-Fei with Paul T.P. Ho, Aina Palau & 4 others, abstract & PDF at arXiv.org 13 Aug. - Quote: "We have mapped the protostellar jet HH 211 ... with the Submillimeter Array (SMA). Thermal dust emission is seen in continuum at the center of the jet, tracing an envelope and a possible optically thick compact disk (with a size < 130 AU) around the protostar. A knotty jet is seen [consisting] of a chain of knots on each side of the protostar." {permalink}

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

NEOCP Activity  on 13 August '07

The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 8 listings: 5 new, 3 updated

When last checked at 2356 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's NEO discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had five new and three updated listings. Of these, six were "one nighters." So far Major News has counted a total of fourteen objects listed on the NEOCP at some point today.

To learn how observers use the NEOCP, see Suno Observatory's Practical guide on how to observe NEOCP object.

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

New MPECs  on 13 August '07

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars

As of last check at 2357 UTC, there have been eight MPECs issued today from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

• MPEC 2007-P41 time-stamped "00:02 UT" - 2002 SV - see below
• MPEC 2007-P42 time-stamped "06:06 UT" - Daily Orbit Update - see below
• MPEC 2007-P43 time-stamped "10:45 UT" - 2007 PP9 - see below
• MPEC 2007-P44 time-stamped "10:49 UT" - 2007 PQ9 - see below
• MPEC 2007-P45 time-stamped "10:52 UT" - 2007 PR9 - see below
• MPEC 2007-P46 time-stamped "10:56 UT" - 2007 PS9 - see below
• MPEC 2007-P47 time-stamped "16:24 UT" - 2007 PR10 - see below
• MPEC 2007-P48 time-stamped "20:15 UT" - 2000 LK = 2007 FD1

MPEC 2007-P48 - "20:15 UT" - 2000 LK = 2007 FD1

MPEC 2007-P47 - "16:24 UT" - 2007 PR10

• K07P10R   2007 PR10 (q=0.126 AU, H=20.7 ~245m) was discovered at 1313 UT 12 Aug. by the Siding Spring Survey (SSS), which observed it at Aug. 12.55-58p3, 12.64-75p10, and 13.61-62p2. The discovery was confirmed by Mt. John Obs. (Aug. 13.65-66p5).

MPEC 2007-P46 - "10:56 UT" - 2007 PS9

• K07P09S   2007 PS9 (small asteroid, H=23.7 ~62m) was discovered at 0757 UT 12 Aug. by LINEAR, which observed it at Aug. 12.33-38p5. The discovery was confirmed by Great Shefford Obs. (Aug. 13.03-05p4), Alter Satzberg Obs. (Aug. 13.07-08p5), and Grasslands Obs. (Aug. 13.19-20p4).

MPEC 2007-P45 - "10:52 UT" - 2007 PR9

• K07P09R   2007 PR9 (H=20.6 ~257m) was discovered at 1130 UT 11 Aug. by SSS, which observed it at Aug. 11.48-51p4, 11.57-58p5, 11.63-75p8, and 12.55-59p4. The discovery was confirmed by Mt. John Obs. (Aug. 12.36-37p3) and Grasslands Obs. (Aug. 13.38p2).

MPEC 2007-P44 - "10:49 UT" - 2007 PQ9

• K07P09Q   2007 PQ9 (small asteroid, H=22.1 ~129m) was discovered at 0626 UT 11 Aug. by LINEAR, which observed it at Aug. 11.27-32p5 and 12.32-37p5. The discovery was confirmed by Great Shefford Obs. (Aug. 11.96-97p3 & 13.06-07p3), Eschenberg Obs. (Aug. 11.97p6), Astronomical Research Obs. (ARO) (Aug. 12.30p3), Schiaparelli Obs. (Aug. 12.99-00p3), Alter Satzberg Obs. (Aug. 13.04-05p4), Robert Hutsebaut via RAS Obs. Mayhill (Aug. 13.35-36p3), and Grasslands Obs. (Aug. 13.42p3).

MPEC 2007-P43 - "10:45 UT" - 2007 PP9

• K07P09P   2007 PP9 (H=21.2 ~195m) was discovered at 0626 UT 11 Aug. by LINEAR, which observed it at Aug. 11.27-32p5 and 12.26-31p5. The discovery was confirmed by Great Shefford Obs. (Aug. 11.95p3 & 13.05-06p3), Eschenberg Obs. (Aug. 11.95-96p7), ARO (Aug. 12.28-29p3), Schiaparelli Obs. (Aug. 12.98p3), Alter Satzberg Obs. (Aug. 13.02-03p4), Hutsebaut/RAS Mayhill (Aug. 13.33-34p3), and Grasslands Obs. (Aug. 13.40p3).

<< DOU on 13 Aug. '07 >>  MPEC 2007-P42 - "06:06 UT" - Daily Orbit Update

• Observations of small asteroids (H>22.0)
• K07O09R   2007 OR9 (arc=20 days, H=22.1 ~129m) from Bergisch Gladbach Obs. (Aug. 11.98-01p3)
• Observations of other objects
• K07P08E   2007 PE8 (arc=2 days, H=19.6 ~407m) from Schiaparelli Obs. (Aug. 11.97p5), LINEAR (Aug. 12.20-25p5), and Shenton Park Obs. (Aug. 12.65p3)
• K07P06P   2007 PP6 (q=0.363 AU, arc=3 days, H=17.2 ~1.23 km) from Shenton Park Obs. (Aug. 12.68-69p3)
• K07P06F   2007 PF6 (arc=4 days, H=20.6 ~257m) from the Spacewatch 0.9m telescope (Aug. 12.24-25p3)
• K07P00Q   2007 PQ (arc=8 days, H=20.5 ~269m) from Shenton Park Obs. (Aug. 12.63p3)
• K07L32R   2007 LR32 (arc=79 days, H=17.2 ~1.23 km) from Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Aug. 11.54-57p11 & 12.52-56p6)
• K07L15A   2007 LA15 (arc=60 days, H=19.5 ~426m) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.15-20p4)
• K07H15E   2007 HE15 (arc=112 days, H=19.5 ~426m) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.32-37p5)
• K07DA3T   2007 DT103 (arc=167 days, H=19.1 ~513m) from Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Aug. 11.61-63p6) and LINEAR (Aug. 12.33-37p5)
• K07C26K   2007 CK26 (arc=2 opp, H=19.0 ~537m) from Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Aug. 11.59-60p5) and Lumezzane Obs. (Aug. 11.85-86p3)
• K06S06F   2006 SF6 (arc=2 opp, H=20.0 ~339m) from ARO (Aug. 12.35-37p3)
• K05G22O   2005 GO22 (q=0.336 AU, arc=2 opp, H=18.7 ~616m) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.20-24p4)
• K05C25W   2005 CW25 (arc=3 opp, H=18.6 ~645m) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.40-44p3)
• K01O13Y   2001 OY13 (arc=4 opp, H=20.8 ~234m) from ARO (Aug. 12.09-10p3)
• K00V02M   2000 VM2 (arc=5 opp, H=17.1 ~1.29 km) from ARO (Aug. 12.39-41p3)
• K00Q07T   2000 QT7 (arc=2 opp, H=20.0 ~339m) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.33-38p8)
• J99D07B   1999 DB7 (arc=3 opp, H=19.9 ~355m) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.32-37p5)
• 86324   86324 1999 WA2 from Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Aug. 11.50p6) and Eschenberg Obs. (Aug. 11.83p7)
• 85275   85275 1994 LY from Eschenberg Obs. (Aug. 11.82p7)
• 54686   54686 2001 DU8 from LINEAR (Aug. 12.32-37p5)
• 16636   16636 1993 QP from LINEAR (Aug. 12.27-32p5)
• 04954   4954 Eric (1990 SQ) from SSS (Aug. 12.60-63p4)
• 04953   4953 1990 MU from SSS (Aug. 12.66-67p3)
• 04183   4183 Cuno (1959 LM) from LINEAR (Aug. 12.32-37p5)

MPEC 2007-P41 - "00:02 UT" - 2002 SV

• K02S00V   2002 SV (H=19.9 ~355m) from Shenton Park Obs. (Aug. 11.88-89p3 & 12.89p3)

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

Observers  on 13 August '07

Fifteen observing facilities appear in today's MPECs.

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

Impact Risk Monitoring  on 13 August '07

At last check (JPL at 2356 and NEODyS at 2357 UTC) there was no risk monitoring news to report yet today. See the CRT for activity in the last month.

<<   Top | Contents | News | Science | NEOCP | MPECs | Observers | Risks | Chronology | Index   >>

Chronology  on 13 August '07

Times are UTC for when the items were noted or added by Major News.