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

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

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 2012. 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

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.

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

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

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

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 17.5-17.8. 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! email 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 pmark@swbell.net (141018) 2001 WC47 T00006 C2012 05 22.23559 13 50 15.10 +02 53 28.2 17.6 R H06 T00006 C2012 05 22.23979 13 50 15.85 +02 53 14.3 17.5 R H06 T00006 C2012 05 22.24398 13 50 16.43 +02 53 02.8 17.8 R H06 T00006 C2012 05 22.24818 13 50 17.18 +02 52 48.2 17.7 R H06 T00006 C2012 05 22.25238 13 50 17.82 +02 52 36.4 17.5 R H06 Prescott Astronomy Club Third Thursday Lecture Series March 20, 2014 7

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!

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