Observing Guides |
|
| Ephemeris Generator |
Generate asteroid positions for objects reaching brightest in a chosen month, filtering on magnitude and declination. Includes LCDB data (period, amplitude) if available.
|
| Asteroid-DSO Appulses (2011-2012) |
Close approaches of deep-sky objects by asteroids |
| Asteroid-Star Appulses (2011-2012) |
Close approaches of bright stars by asteroids |
| Five Brightest Apparitions (1-316,649) |
The five best years to observe each asteroid |
Favorable apparitions by Year
(1-316,649 1995-2050) |
Asteroids reaching a favorable apparition for each year |
| SkyWatch |
New! SkyWatch is now a dynamic page that computes current lunar and planetary positions and lunar phases for the entire year. Rise/set/transit times are determined for your location.
|
|
|
Observing Hints |
|
| Creating Flat Fields |
From Stan Moore, one of the best |
| Polar Alignment without drift |
Align using your CCD in a different way. Written by J. Hall. |
|
Drift Polar Alignment |
Bruce Johnston details the how and why |
| Romanashin CCD Photometry Handbook |
Excellent primer by Wiilliam Romanashin |
| AAVSO CCD Manual |
Compiled by Arne Henden and the AAVSO staff. Photometry is photometry. This has lots of great information that is not specific to variable star observing. |
|
Asteroid Photometry Guide |
A getting started set of FAQ for those wanting to do asteroid photometry |
| Standardizing Your Photometry |
A basic guide for putting instrumental magnitudes onto a standard system. Works for filtered and unfiltered data (with some caveats) |
| |
|
|
|
Utility Programs / Information |
|
| MPCORBLIST.ZIP |
Loads MPCORB.DAT/MPOCORBcr.DAT into memory. Search data by number or unpacked designation. |
| Meade AutoStar Alignment Stars |
For those who know stars by Greek letters and not formal names |
| |
|
