ASLC member Frederick Pilcher built and equipped the Organ Mesa Observatory in the first half of 2007 about 5 miles southeast of Las Cruces, New Mexcio, USA. This facility is dedicated to asteroid lightcurve research. The observatory itself is of sliding roof design with an adjacent climate controlled office in which the control computer is housed. Equipment consists of a Meade 14" LX200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, SBIG STL-1001E CCD with 1024x1024 pixels of size 24.7 micrometers and a field of 25x25 arcminutes, and Optec TCF-S temperature controlled focuser. Telescope and CCD control are by MPO Connections, and image measurement and lightcurve analysis are by MPO Canopus. Both programs are copyrighted by Brian D. Warner. MPO Canopus also constructs data files which permit the easy exchange of data with other observers for collaborative projects.
Fred's intention is to obtain accurate lightcurve parameters for asteroids for which no previous period determinations have been made, or for which the existing data are insufficient to obtain secure periods. Asteroids with secure periods are also observed to contribute toward spin/shape determinations.
Observations are ordinarily begun several weeks before opposition and continued for one to two months or longer with the specific goal of obtaining a secure period with very small rms error, full multiple lightcurve coverage, and if possible eliminating all aliases. The long time interval covered for most targets aids in achieving these goals.
Collaboration with other observers is sought, especially for asteroids whose rotation periods are nearly commensurable with Earth's and for which gaps in the lightcurve are unavoidable for observations at a single location. Fred also invites correspondence with all people interested in asteroid CCD photometry and lightcurve analysis. Please address your e-mail to: pilcher@ic.edu.
The author thanks the following collaborators, listed alphabetically, for sharing data which enhanced the lightcurves and improved the accuracy and reliability of the derived period: Vladimir Benishek, minor planets (168), 2007/08; (178), 2008; (182), 2008; (285), 2009; (634), 2008; (780), 2009; (805), 2008; James Brinsfield, minor planet (168), 2007/08; David Higgins, minor planet (161), 2008; Richard Krajewski, minor planet (182), 2008; Julian Oey, minor planet (178), 2008; and Robert Stephens, minor planets (65), 2009; (169), 2009.
To view lightcurve data for a particular minor planet, please click on the asteroid's name below.
