07/02/06

Observatory operations at Francisquito are focused almost exclusively on discovery confirmation and follow-up observations of Near Earth Asteroids.  From the beginning, the operational model for this observatory has been patterned after the pioneering work done by J.Rogers at the nearby Camarillo Observatory.  Great inspiration has also been taken from one of the most prolific and perseverant NEO observers in recent times, P.Birtwhistle, at the Great Shefford Observatory near London, England.

During periods of favorable weather and favorable lunar phases, and depending on the availability of observatory personnel, two or three NEA targets are usually selected for each observing session.  For those in the NEO observation community, this may seem like a rather modest targeting goal.  It should, however, be taken into account that observatory personnel typically spend 10-14 hrs/day at their "day job", in addition to having to travel frequently on business.  Given the considerable time required for observation session planning and scripting, data processing, and observation reporting, the targeting goals for Francisquito are about as ambitious as they can practically be.  In addition to the "human" limitations described here, please see the Observatory Site section of this web site for a description of the multitude of physical limitations in effect at Francisquito.

Beginning in July 2004, Francisquito Observatory initiated its own limited NEO search programme.  NEO searches are typically scheduled near the full moon period.  See the NEO Search Log for details.

 NEA targets for the Francisquito Observatory are selected on the basis of the following hierarchy of priorities:

1) Objects listed on the Minor Planet Center's NEO Confirmation Page

2) Objects that are targets of special scientific investigations and which require concurrent optical astrometry; radar studies of asteroids by the Arecibo and Goldstone radio telescopes are examples.

3) Newly discovered PHAs requiring continued observations, and objects designated by the Minor Planet Center as being "Very Desirable" or "Desirable" for additional observations.

4) Objects at or near orbital opposition that can be best accommodated within the observatory's lengthy list of physical limitations.

We are pleased to report that the list of potentially achievable targets from priorities 1), 2) and 3) has never been exhausted.  In other words, we've never run out of important work to do, despite the numerous limitations!

An Observatory Log is maintained and posted here on a regular basis.  It can be seen from this logbook that operating a dedicated NEA observatory can rightly be described as a mostly hair-pulling, hand-wringing experience, punctuated by a few, completely satisfying moments of success.