NEO Planner V5.0 - Object selection 2 - Explanations
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Additional parameters for planning can be entered here.
In order to find faster objects more reliably with the
Tycho Tracker, you can now specify a minimum number of images
starting from the selected speed s/min of the objects.
Using a mosaic can be a good way to find recently
discovered objects with a short orbit and few measurements.
However, there are a few things to consider when activating this function.
NEO Planner uses the JPL Scout ephemeris to calculate the position of NEOCP
objects. These are only available during astronomical darkness.
The mosaic should be limited to 2 rows and 2 columns, although the size of the
mosaic can also be set to a maximum of 3 rows and 3 columns.
In contrast to a mosaic for deep sky objects, the objects move forward,
so that the NEO Planner mosaic follows the object according to its speed
specified in Scout.
This special method promises a much higher success rate.
Basically, the position calculated by Scout is used as the first image in the
mosaic series in planning, exactly as in normal planning.
This is followed by further planning positions of the object according to the
desired mosaic size,
each of which is calculated slightly offset from the planned Scout ephemeris.
The shift is performed using the same FoV parameters as specified in the
CMOS/CCD parameters for the current equipment.
The values for Overlap, rows and columns are set as in Execute Search. In the
field <arc up to a maximum of xxx minutes>
you enter the maximum arc length of the NEOCP objects measured so far.
When using the mosaic option, it is particularly important
to specify Vmag values when selecting NEOCP objects in accordance
with the realistic capabilities of the equipment. If <up to Vmag> values are
too high, reasonable planning results cannot be achieved.
If objects that meet the mosaic criteria are included in the planning, the
planning time will naturally increase.
You should use the information in the Revise and Object Information windows to
check the plausibility of the arc length
and,
if suspicious, delete the mosaic position in Revise.
Example of a 2 by 2 mosaic:
After completing a normal plan without mosaic, you can see in
Revise a short orbital arc for a NEOCP object,
the few measurements of which date back many hours. These new NEOCP objects are
usually individual measurements
from one observatory or measurements from two observatories. To enable further
confirmation, NEO Planner offers the mosaic function.
To do this, check the Mosaic for NEOCP objects selection and enter the mosaic
parameters. The plan is then called up again in Execute Planning.
The plan now contains a total of five positions for each NEOCP
object that meets the mosaic criteria.
The first position is always the central position of the object according to the
Scout ephemeris, as in normal planning.
The four following positions are mosaic positions and are marked with M in the
Hint column.
This method ensures that the search
fields adapt according to the speed of the object including its position angle
and correspond to the field of view of the equipment.
Central position:
First position of the fast object C44ACC1
(40s/min in PA 350) according to the scout ephemeris, as in normal
planning.
The object is shown here in TheSky X slightly above the central scout position
due to the orbit elements interpreted there
and is only intended to serve as further orientation for the following mosaic
positions. (Southwest is top left).
Mosaic position 1:
At mosaic position 1, the center of the image was shifted to the southwest compared to the time-accurate central scout position.
Mosaic position 2:
In mosaic position 2, the center of the image was shifted to the southeast compared to the time-accurate central scout position.
Mosaic position 3:
At mosaic position 3, the center of the image was shifted to the northwest compared to the time-accurate central scout position.
Mosaic position 4:
At mosaic position 4, the center of the image was shifted to the northeast compared to the time-accurate central scout position.