IAU A79

According to the recently published statistics by MPC, IAU A79 continues to be leader in the area of astrometry in Bulgaria. We observed 229 numbered and 102 unnumbered asteroids as well as 24 comets.

The orbital elements of the most of our newly 16 asteroids, discovered in July and August, were significantly improved. This was achieved mainly by our additional observations performed remotely by 0.61cm RC telescope at H11 observatory (New Mexico, USA). The orbital arc for the most the bodies were extended to about 30-40 days and in the case of 2009 OD2 and 2009 OW2 (U=5 now) to more than 60 days. We also found some of the asteroids on NEAT archive images and based on other old observations, which was linked by MPC, 2009 QJ5 is now observed in 6 oppositions when 2009 QT33 and 2009 QU33 in 4 oppositions. All of these asteroids were observed more than one night in each apparition and according to IAU rules 2009 QJ5 should be numbered soon.

More information about the orbital elements you can find in the results section.

Seven new MB asteroids have been discovered in the course of the A79 observations. The bodies were designed by MPC as 2009 QK32, 2009 QU34, 2009 QL34, 2009 QV33, 2009 QU33, 2009 QS33 and 2009 QT33. According to the current orbital elements three of them are members of the inner zone of the belt, two of the central and two are in the outer zone. The first asteroid, 2009 QK32, was identified on 25/08/2009 and conformed in the next night, when other five bodies on 26/08/2009. 2009 QU34 was discovered on 28/09/2009 during the conformation of 2009 QL34 and has the highest brightness (currently 19.4V). More information about the orbital elements you can find in the results section.
Meanwhile, we continue to observe remotely our previously discovered in July asteroids by 0.61m telescope at Light bucked observatory (MPC H11 code).

Cometary features of the NEOCP object 9Q18301 was detected using a stack of 5 unfiltered exposures, 60 seconds each, obtained on 2009, August 29.1 UT. Even after this short expose time and the low brightness of the body, about 18.5R magnitude, the object reveals the presence of well visible and very diffuse coma nearly 10-12 arcsec in diameter. Unfortunately, we observed the new comet just before the sunrise and were not able to detect more details. The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2009 Q1 (Hill), which includes prediscovery positions by Spacewacth of Aug. 16, indicates perihelion already on July 19, 2009, at about 2.8 AU. This is the 75th comet discovery for Catalina and the 16th for Hill. (IAUC 9067, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q67)

Two new Main Belt Asteroids have been discovered during the A79 observations. According to the initial orbital elements (5 days arc), the bodies are members of the inner and central zone of the MB, respectively. 2009 QJ5 is a brilliant MBA and currently has a brightness of approximately 18.6R magnitude. More details are available in the results section. Two other asteroids have been found but latter linked to known asteroids.

A comet activity of the 9P1083D object was observed and reported to CBAT. According to the preliminary orbit the new comet C/2009 P2 (Boattini), which was discovered on Aug. 15, 2009 in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey, will reach perihelion on July 24, 2010, at about 6.1 AU.  This is the 74th comet discovery for Catalina and the 9th for Boattini. (IAUC 9063, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q14).

We confirmed the comet nature of the NEOCP object 9O0DB7B. The new comet was designed as C/2009 O4 (Hill).  The preliminary orbit of the 16m comet indicates perihelion on Dec. 1, 2009, at about 2.9 AU (IAUC 9059, subscription required, MPEC 2009-O56). Another comet C/2009 O3 (Hill) has been confirmed via the NEOCP from A79 team on July 30 (MPEC 2009-O54). Here you can find an image of C/2009 O4 (Hill) captured on July 31.0 UT.

Three Main Belt Asteroids have been discovered from A79 team during the period 25-28/07/2009. More observations are needed to be obtained good orbital solutions. Together with the conformation of the objects listed on the NEO confirmation page we currently observe and our last findings. Follow the information listed on the result page and the further updates.

Four Main Belt Asteroids have been discovered during the period 16-21/07/2009.
According to the current orbital elements, two of the bodies, 2009 OD and 2009 OV, can be classified as outer members and one, 2009 OD2, can be involved in the central zone of the MB. Presumably, the 2009 OW2 belong to the Nysas family, outside of the zone 1 of the belt. Three other asteroids have been found, as for example the temporary designed 2009 OS6, but than linked to known bodies. 2009 OD has a diameter about 1.7km when the other asteroids 1.3km, 1.2km and 0.7km, respectively. We will continue the observation from our site and remotely from H11 (Light bucked observatory) to precise the orbits. More details are available in the results section.

The proposal of A79 team to call an asteroid they discovered Levski has been approved. The Committee on Small Body Nomenclature in the Solar System at the International Astronomical Union approved the proposal of Bulgarian astronomers, discoverers of the 204831 asteroid, to name the body after Bulgarian revolutionary Vasil Levski. Levski was selected by a nationwide poll as the greatest Bulgarian of all time. The asteroid was discovered on August 14 2007 at the Zvezdno Obshtestvo Observatory.
Vasil Levski was the nickname of Vasil Ivanov Kunchev (18 July 1837-18 February 1873), an ethnic Bulgarian revolutionary renowned as the national hero of Bulgaria. Dubbed the Apostle of Freedom, Levski ideologised and strategised a revolutionary movement to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Founding the Internal Revolutionary Organisation, Levski sought to foment a nationwide uprising through a network of secret regional committees.