The importance of high-precision astrometry in the orbit determination and ephemeris computation for small bodies

• Autores: Michelli, M.
• Año de publicación: 2025
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: documento de conferencia
• Materia: Ciencias Astronómicas; Optical astrometry; Orbit determination; Small Solar System Bodies
• Institución: Universidad Nacional de La Plata

The orbit determination process for natural Small Solar System Objects relies for the most part on optical astrometry obtained by ground-based telescopes. In this context, the word "astrometry” is typically intended as the determination, from astronomical images, of four basic sets of quantities: the absolute coordinates of an object in the plane of the sky, the time corresponding to that observation, the spatial location of the observer, and an estimate of the uncertainties on all the numbers above. Although the basic process behind these measurements has remained nearly unchanged for decades, recent developments have greatly improved the quality of the astrometric data that we can produce, enabling new applications for this information. In this talk, we will briefly present some of these recent techniques and resources, discuss how they are being adopted in the community of small body observers, and highlight some challenges that still remain in the field. We will also present a few recent cases where high-precision astrometry has played a significant role in our understanding of small bodies, both from a scientific perspective and as a basis for understanding the impact threat to our planet posed by these objects.
Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas