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Inside Great Shefford Observatory
astronomy (1133) neo (330) comet (168) observatory (142) asteroid (82) asteroids (57) astrometry (12) near earth objects (7) great shefford (3) j95 (2)
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The observatory has been fully operational since 26 May 2002 (see our first light image at right) with a 12" diameter telescope and electronic camera ( CCD ). A programme of astrometry was started on 30th May 2002. Observatory code J95 was allocated to Great Shefford Observatory by the Minor Planet Center in June 2002. In June 2005 the 12" telescope was upgraded to a 16" and in September 2005 the CCD was also upgraded, allowing fainter objects to be detected. The work done at Great Shefford is primarily:
following up newly discovered Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to help improve their orbits so their position can eventually be predicted far into the future to check they don't endanger the Earth cometary astrometry, concentrating on the fainter objects that don't get quite so much attention as many of the brighter objects. Other objects are also imaged, including Gamma Ray Bursters, Supernovae, some unusual man-made satellites and deep sky objects.
Yershan «
Inside Great Shefford Observatory