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Space Object Characterization Studies and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory’s 2.4-meter Telescope

Space Object Characterization Studies and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory’s 2.4-meter Telescope. Eileen V. Ryan and William H. Ryan New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Photo by Mark Vincent. Collaborators:. Dr. William H. Ryan (NMT/MRO) Dr. Van Romero (NMT/MRO)

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Space Object Characterization Studies and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory’s 2.4-meter Telescope

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  1. Space Object Characterization Studies and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory’s 2.4-meter Telescope Eileen V. Ryan and William H. Ryan New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Photo by Mark Vincent

  2. Collaborators: Dr. William H. Ryan (NMT/MRO) Dr. Van Romero (NMT/MRO) Dr. Mark Pesses (SAIC) Mr. James Brown (AFRL/VSBYB) Lt. Justin Cowley (AFRL/VSBYB) Dr. Phan Dao (AFRL/VSBYB) Dr. Michael Kendra (AFRL/VSBYB) Dr. Patrick McNicholl (AFRL/VSBYB) Mr. Robert O’Neil (AFRL/VSBYB) Dr. James Murguia (SSSC) Mr. Jonathon Mooney (SSSC) Mr. Rick Nelson (SSSC) Mr. Greg Diaz (SSSC) Mr. Toby Reeves (SSSC) Dr. Mara Payne (Boeing) Dr. Steve Gregory (Boeing) Site Location

  3. The MRO 2.4-meter Project: The 2.4 meter telescope has three basic objectives: • Classical astronomical research, with queue & remote observing (e.g., small bodies, transient phenomena). • DoD mission support: missile tracking, satellite signatures, sensor development. (The telescope is fast-tracking and can point 2 below horizon). • Support & enhance NM education & public outreach.

  4. Telescope Configuration: • Elevation over azimuth gimbaled telescope. • Optical design is f/8.8 modified Ritchey-Chrétien, with 2 Nasmyth & 4 bent-Cass. ports. (FOV: 19 arcmin) • Shack-Hartmann Sensor • Includes auto-guiding, a field derotator, & baffles. • Instrumentation: 4Kx4K CCD imager, guest IR Camera, and low-resolution Spectrograph.

  5. Current Status: • First Light Occurred on October 31, 2006, & the Telescope is Undergoing Commissioning and Integration. • Research and Space Situational Awareness Work is Underway. • First Science:Observations of Pluto as it occulted a 15th magnitude star on March 18, 2007 to monitor Pluto’s atmospheric variability.

  6. Near-Earth Comet Linear VZ 13 Sidereal tracking of Comet Linear VZ 13 with the 2.4m Telescope on July 6, 2007

  7. Tracking NEA 2007 FK1 Non-sidereal trackingofnear-Earth Asteroid 2007 FK1 with the 2.4m Telescope on May 14, 2007

  8. Tracking LEO NORAD: 31793 Non-sidereal trackingofaLEO (altitude ~850 km) NORAD 31793 rocket body on July 18, 2007

  9. Science Focus Areas: Asteroids NASA-Funded Vesta Asteroid Family Project: (E. Ryan & B. Ryan) Complex lightcurve of asteroid 3155 Lee taken 1.8m VATT telescope. Direct model simulation with two objects: a good general match to features in the observed lightcurve for 3155 Lee.

  10. Characterization of NEOs Follow-up and Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Objects (Capability extends to asteroids ≥ 140m) The 2.4m has a large enough aperture for astrometry of the smallest bodies (currently 30% of 1km discovered objects are lost). A collaborative with Pan-STARRS & CSS is being established for this work. Lightcurve and polarization work in collaboration with Catalina Sky Survey.

  11. Non-Resolved Imaging of RSOs Techniques: • Spectrophotometry & Forward Modeling • Polarimetric Photometry (M. Pesses, this session) • Simultaneous Observations from Multiple Sites • Simultaneous Temporal and Spectral Sensor Testing • Space Weather Monitoring (V. Romero et al., this session) Emphasis on LEO Objects

  12. Lightcurves & Direct Modeling Complex Shapes Multiple Objects

  13. Simultaneous Lightcurves: Shapes HEO/GEO Objects LEO Objects

  14. Sensor Testing: Multi-Spectral Imaging • • Real-time spectral imaging (no temporal latency) • • Temporal co-registration between color images • • Spatial co-registration between color images • • Color bands can be designed for specific applications • Faster-than-Video frame rates (90 Hz)

  15. Visible Multi-Wavelength Spectral Sensor 16-Color Visible Spectral Imager MRO is working on the testing of a visible spectral microlens sensor in collaboration with Hanscom Air Force Research Laboratory, Battlespace Surveillance Innovation Center.The objective is to improve space object identification techniques.Data taken with the microlens sensor (developed by Solid State Scientific Corporation) can simultaneously and instantaneously obtain images in 16 different spectral bands (at visible wavelengths: 0.43 – 0.83 microns).

  16. Multi-Spectral Imaging A test Observing Run will take place September 19 – 30, 2007 coupling this microlens sensor to MRO’s 2.4-meter telescope. Objects will be LEOs brighter than 5th visual magnitude. Spectro-Photometry of LEOs at millisec rates

  17. Summary • Spectrophotometry of LEOs • Sensor Development & Deployment • Polarimetric Photometry • Simultaneous Observations from Multiple Sites • Space Environment Monitoring Initiating Testing Phase during Telescope Commissioning

  18. Selected Image Reconstruction Binary Star: Zeta Bootis (0.7" separation). Images taken with the 2.4m telescope on May 28, 2007. Before Conditions: 36 mph winds, 1.3 arcsec seeing, thin clouds, 1 second exposures. Radial plot After Selected Image Reconstruction: 13 best of 1000 images taken with 0.001 second exposures, aligned and averaged.

  19. Selected Image Reconstruction Another Binary Star: Rotanev (0.6" separation). Images taken with the 2.4m telescope on May 28, 2007. Rotanev and AO: Imaged atStarfire Optical Rangeusing Adaptive Optics. Rotanev and SIR: 15 best of 1000 images taken with 0.001 second exposures, aligned and averaged using theMRO 2.4m telescopeon May 28, 2007.

  20. Tracking Low-Earth Orbit Objects International Space Station Observation of the ISS taken with the 2.4m telescope on July 14, 2007

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