MPC Report Questions

[russ75]

Hello,

I am a very beginner ASTAP user. I have been experimenting with using ASTAP to make position and magnitude measurements of asteroids. I have some questions concerning the "MPC1992 report line" function. In particular, could you explain what the "B" means after the magnitude measurements in the two ASTAP-generated reports below?

00140 B2026 03 17.17362 11 22 18.65 +08 38 47.3 13.02B XXX
02117 B2026 03 17.17362 11 22 31.08 +08 25 18.7 16.31B XXX

I'm not sure, but I think the "B" indicates that the measurements were made in the "B" (blue?) band, and for some reason ASTAP used "B" as the default?

I used ASTAP's split into R,G,B files function to create separate R,G,B images of these asteroids from my one-shot color image. I then generated the magnitude and position reports from the G image using the MPC1992 report line function. If the letter "B" represents the band, shouldn't I manually change it to be reported as "G" or "V"?

[han.k]

Hi Russ,

This is the standard
{ https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/info/OpticalObs.html
Columns Format Use
1 - 5 A5 Packed minor planet number
6 - 12 A7 Packed provisional designation, or a temporary designation
13 A1 Discovery asterisk
14 A1 Note 1
15 A1 Note 2
16 - 32 Date of observation
33 - 44 Observed RA (J2000.0)
45 - 56 Observed Decl. (J2000.0)
57 - 65 9X Must be blank
66 - 71 F5.2,A1 Observed magnitude and band
(or nuclear/total flag for comets)
72 - 77 X Must be blank
78 - 80 A3 Observatory code

I have build it last year and then left it. The B is currently hardcoded. But I could extract letter from the filter specified in the header. At this moment I do not know which letters they use but I assume at least V, B, R but I'm not sure about clear view. I can look into this.

Have you ever tried to report an observation?
I do not think "minor planet centre" is interested in amateur observations any more unless you have something like a 0.5 meter telescope at a very dark site. The current surveys pick up any visible object. Amateurs in general can not compete.

cs, Han

[russ75]

Hi Han,

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. You answered my question by telling me the "B" is hard coded.

I am just tinkering with asteroid observing right now and toying with the idea of obtaining an MPC code for my backyard observing setup. I haven't tried to report any observations to the MPC.

By telling me that the "B" is hard coded, you told me exactly what I needed to know. The MPC web site lists all the available band codes so if, and when, I ever try to send a report the MPC, it will be a simple matter to manually replace the "B" with a "G" or "V". For me, ASTAP's MPC report function is fine as is. No need to invest any more time on this.

[han.k]

In next version, I will take the first letter of the filter name. That is easy. If you succeed or have any problem with the format tell me.

I assume MPC is still interested in NEO, near earth observations.

Success, Han

[russ75]

Thank you, Han!

• Russ