Research Centre of Astronomy and Geophysics Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Study of near-earth objects in Mongolia.Space debris, asteroids and comets

Outreach seminar in margins of

55th session of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 11 June 2012

Tungalag Namkhai

IntroductionThe Research Centre of Astronomy and Geophysics (RCAG) of Mongolia is unique

research organization in Mongolia specializing in fundamental astronomical and

geophysical research. The RCAG was founded in 1957 during the first

International Geophysical Year. From the early years onwards, the following

research activities were undertaken:

• study of latitude variations in a network of astronomical observatories;

• time keeping service;

• observation of near-Earth artificial satellites;

• observation of solar active phenomena;

• study of impact of atmospheric turbulence on seeing quality.

• Research activities carrying out at observatory Khureltogoot (latitude:

47°51'56'' N, longitude: 107°03'10'' E, altitude: 1620 m) located on the Bogd

Mountain, about 20 km south of the capital city Ulaanbaatar:

- Astrometric and photometric observations of solar system small bodies,

- Observation of the solar surface phenomena, sunspot, the sun’s corona,

- Space geodesy.

• Collaboration of RCAG with the ISON project

- Started in 2009

- Successful joint grant proposal for scientific basic research foundation in 2010

- Joint establishing of new observational station Tavantolgoi in 2011 (latitude:

47°53'08'' N, longitude: 106°20'03'' E, altitude: 1704 m) located on 55 km west of

Ulaanbaatar city

Astronomical branch of the RCAG

The astronomical observatory Khureltogoot

The observational station Tavantolgoi

InstrumentsTelescope Lens (mm) FOV Telescope

mode Mag Registration camera

ORI-40(ISON produced telescope and donated CCD-

camera)

F=2300D=400

35′x25′ Tracking 14.5 CCD camera FLI ML09000, 3000x3000

VT-78e(ISON-donated

instrument)

D=192 7°x7° Tracking 15 CCD camera FLI ML09000, 3000x3000

MEADE 16" LX 200 

F=4064 D=406.4

25′x25′ Tracking 16 CCD camera SBIG ST-6

Telescope “Shmidt”

F=3000 D=45

35′x25′ Tracking 14 Photographic

FAS3A F=485 D=285

7°x10° Stare 10 Photographic

APhU75 F=745 D= 200

7°x10° Stare 10 Photographic

Refractor Kude F=3000 D=200

5°x5° Stare 14

ISON produced and donated hardware and software tools for observations

The ORI-40 and VT-78e telescopes, CCD cameras, time sync devices, mounts, CCD image processing software

Study of near-earth and main belt asteroids

• Started at RCAG in 2000

• Photometry – prime approach to conduct research

• Direction of studies:- lightcurve observation of selected asteroids, - development of numerical photometric model of asteroids, - determination of theirs rotation parameters and shapes, - analysis and interpretation of the data on asteroid rotation

• CCD observations of asteroids 122 Gerda, 221 Eos, 411 Xanthe, 700 Auravictrix, 787 Moskva were carried out and rotation parameters and shapes of 39 asteroids were determined

Joining the ISON project permits us to expand areas of research and enhance the quality of output:

• the astrometric and photometric observation of near-Earth solar system bodies including satellites, space debris, asteroids and comets;

• investigation of high-orbital space debris population;

• study of orbital evolution, origin and physical properties of faint debris fragments in the geostationary region.

Monitoring of near-earth objects within the framework of the ISON project

Two new telescopes ORI-40 (aperture 40cm) and VT-78e (aperture 19.2cm) with CCD cameras FLI ML09000 were installed in Astronomical Observatory Tavantolgoi of the RCAG with the help of the ISON project.

ORI-40 is 0.4 m class telescope with FOV 2.3°x2.3°, which is dedicated for observation of asteroid and faint space debris fragment (down to 17 magnitudes).

VT-78e is 19.2-cm class survey telescope with large FOV 7°x7° for observation of space debris. This telescope provides wide surveys of the GEO and HEO objects and makes tracks and measurements for GEO and HEO objects down to 14.5 magnitudes (around the new Moon).

Monitoring of near-earth objects within the framework of the ISON project (cont.)

Thank you for your attention!