1. Target Asteroids. /Target NEOs
Target Asteroids!/Target NEOs! – Citizen Science Opportunities for Amateur Astronomers
Dolores H. Hill
Carl W. Hergenrother
Co-Leads Target Asteroids!/Target NEOs!
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
University of Arizona

2. OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission to Bennu
OSIRIS-REx is an acronym for Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer that address the mission objectives.
Target Asteroids!: The mission’s citizen science program
Astronomy Magazine's Tucson Star Party Feb. 14, 2015 1

3. Target Asteroids! Citizen Science
Target Asteroids! citizen science is a project
of the OSIRIS-REx mission to collect data on
spacecraft targets, analog asteroid types and
inspire amateur astronomers to learn how to
identify & observe asteroids.
Although few observers have the ability to observe Bennu itself, they have the capability
to observe other potential spacecraft targets
and analogs to Bennu.
Observers take images of particular asteroids during campaigns, measure photometry, and astrometry to fill gaps in the professional data.
This project was officially launched in April Many serious amateur astronomers and schools have access to research grade telescopes. Those in urban settings purchase or apply for time on robotic instruments in more favorable locations with dark skies and clear weather. You can, too!
Scott Donnell, Colorado Springs, CO

4. Target Asteroids! Citizen Science
is a dynamic observing campaign that changes as new data
become available (flyby opportunities & occultations, for example);
complements other asteroid observing programs and
doubles the impact of observations;
photometry and astrometry support OSIRIS-REx science &
asteroid research in general;
data are available to future planetary scientists & spacecraft
mission designers;
data from multiple apertures in various locations and dates are
combined to ultimately enable physical characterization.
Astrometric data will be used to refine orbital parameters and any changes in those orbits. These are critical to mission planning and navigation and complement the security objective of the OSIRIS-REx mission. The OCAMS Team and Astronomy Team make use of photometric data for calibration and testing of models.
These data will be used to learn more about near-Earth asteroids. The more independent observations the better to help us determine the rotation periods, spin axis, size/mass, possible companions, phase function as the asteroid orbits the sun, information on space weathering. Add color filters to the measurement and the asteroid taxonomy can be ascertained. Many data points will be combined to create an aggregate light curve for each asteroid.

5. Target Asteroids! Partners
Astronomical League’s
Companion Observing Program
International Astronomical Search Collaboration’s Annual Target Asteroids! Campaigns
Astrometrica software provided by Herbert Raab
Prescott Astronomy Club Third Thursday Lecture Series March 20, 2014

6. Target Asteroids! Citizen Science
What do you need?
8” Telescope or larger and a camera.
Collect images for asteroids over the course of the mission and beyond
to enable mission scientists to
refine orbits
test models of the dynamical evolution
determine compositions
better understand the NEO population
Using software we provide,
report brightness and position.
Your images can turn a point of light into a real world with
dimensions
topography
inherent brightness
surface texture
shape
orbital history
Prescott Astronomy Club Third Thursday Lecture Series March 20, 2014 5

7. Collect images with backyard telescope and CCD camera or DSLR
FOUR WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
Collect images with backyard telescope and CCD camera or DSLR
Team up with a friend, club, or local college
Purchase images from a commercial telescope service
Measure images provided by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration during
Annual Target Asteroids! Campaigns
Prescott Astronomy Club Third Thursday Lecture Series March 20, 2014

8. IMAGES AND REPORTS Images captured by Target Asteroids! observer
(141018) 2001 WC47
Images captured by
Target Asteroids! observer
Mark Henrichs of Texas, USA
May 22, 2012 using
23 centimeter (9”) refractor
and SBIG ST-8XE CCD camera.
The asteroid magnitude is
Notice the motion
among the star background
during only a few minutes.
Corresponding report >>
Here is an example of a Target Asteroids! observation. It includes several images spaced by at least 30 minutes and an astrometry report that is sent to Target Asteroids! address and the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center, too. Some telescope image acquisition and data processing software will output the data already in MPC format.
COD H06
OBS M. Henrichs
ACK Report received
AC2
(141018) 2001 WC47
T C R H06
T C R H06
T C R H06
T C R H06
T C R H06
Prescott Astronomy Club Third Thursday Lecture Series March 20, 2014 7

9. Absolute magnitude + albedo = DIAMETER!
PHASE FUNCTION
The relationship between geometric albedo
and slope of the phase function in
magnitudes per degree of phase angle.
Absolute magnitude
IAU-H-G Phase Model
Linear slope = albedo
Absolute magnitude + albedo = DIAMETER!

10. DATA REDUCTION Software used: Photometric measurements: MPO Canopus
NEO 2002 GT
Phased rotational light curve (142) Polana
Software used:
Photometric measurements:
MPO Canopus
Astrometrica
IRAF
Light curve determination:
ALC (Asteroid Light Curve)
Phase function analysis:
AstroPy
gnuplot
(3122) Florence