La Cañada Observatory, is an initiative by Juan Lacruz, the observatory started astrometric operations in the summer of 2002, it is registered as station J87 in the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union.

The Observatory also participates in the studies on minor bodies promoted by the Group on Meteorites, Minor Bodies, and Planetary Sciences of the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC-IEEC).



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Observing PHAs 2011 Mar 18

Remote observations of PHA's Potentially hazardous asteroids.

(3122) Florence

Object is a Goldstone radar target during 2017/08/01-2017/09/31: Physical studies requested.

COD J87
OBS J. Lacruz
MEA J. Lacruz
TEL 0.40-m Ritchey-Chretien + CCD
ACK MPCReport file updated 2011.03.18 20:02:43
AC2 juan@lacanada.es
NET UCAC-3
03122 KC2011 03 18.81264 07 08 04.03 +34 43 49.5 17.7 V J87
03122 KC2011 03 18.81890 07 08 04.39 +34 43 43.4 17.8 V J87
03122 KC2011 03 18.82511 07 08 04.75 +34 43 37.3 17.7 V J87
----- end -----

And

(175706) 1996 FG3

Object is a Goldstone radar target during 2011/11/01-2011/11/31: Astrometry and physical studies requested.

COD J87
OBS J. Lacruz
MEA J. Lacruz
TEL 0.40-m Ritchey-Chretien + CCD
ACK MPCReport file updated 2011.03.18 20:58:55
AC2 juan@lacanada.es
NET UCAC-3
H5706 KC2011 03 18.83941 07 29 51.38 +19 40 06.8 19.7 V J87
H5706 KC2011 03 18.85060 07 29 51.70 +19 40 05.7 19.9 V J87
H5706 KC2011 03 18.86074 07 29 51.93 +19 40 04.5 19.8 V J87
----- end -----

Though the observations are not available from the MPC as yet, the residuals have been calculated at NEODYS the NEO dynamic site at the university of Pissa.

Florence 2011-03-18.81264 07:08:04.030 -0.031 +34° 43' 49.50" -0.247 17.7 V
Florence 2011-03-18.81890 07:08:04.390 -0.084 +34° 43' 43.40" -0.160 17.8 V
Florence 2011-03-18.82511 07:08:04.750 -0.101 +34° 43' 37.30" -0.119 17.7 V

1996FG3 2011-03-18.83941 07:29:51.380 -0.916 +19° 40' 06.80" 0.440 19.7 V
1996FG3 2011-03-18.85060 07:29:51.700 0.055 +19° 40' 05.70" 0.169 19.9 V
1996FG3 2011-03-18.86074 07:29:51.930 0.080 +19° 40' 04.50" -0.266 19.8 V

These serve as a measure of the observations quality.

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Square Kilometer Array project

Africa is bidding to host the world's most powerful radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). When constructed, in 2025, it will have 50 times greater sensitivity than any other radio telescope on Earth. The SKA will probe the edges of our universe, even before the first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang. This telescope will contribute to answering fundamental questions in astronomy, physics and cosmology, including the nature of dark energy and dark matter.

South Africa is leading the African bid and has already legislated to create 12.5 million hectares of protected area - or radio astronomy reserve. This area is also referred to as the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area, offering low levels of radio frequency interference, very little light pollution, basic infrastructure of roads, electricity and communication.

The human story began in Africa and it can also be the place where we find answers to the story of our universe. Please help us bring the SKA project to Africa by informing the readers of LCOAstronomyhighlights about the project and the advantages of the South African SKA bid. I've created a comprehensive resource that you're welcome to explore and borrow from:Skaafrica