M. Tichy, J. Ticha, M.Kocer
Klet Observatory, Zatkovo nabrezi 4, CZ-370 01 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
Abstract.
The significant progress made in NEO discoveries over the last
decade by dedicated NEO surveys calls for continuous follow-up
astrometry to secure an orbit determination of discovered bodies.
A special category of NEOs in urgent need of astrometry are
virtual impactors. V.Is. are the asteroids for which possible
impact solutions, compatible with the existing observations are
known and a very small, but definitely non-zero, probability of
collision exists. Those so called Virtual Impactors are listed on
the Sentry Impact Risk page and the NEODys Risk Page. As new
positional observations become available, the most likely outcome
is that the objects orbit is improved, uncertainties are reduced,
impact solutions are ruled out for future 100 years and the object
will eventually be removed from the lists.
This task of NEO astrometric follow-up needs one or more
professionally run telescopes of 1-m class or larger all over the
world for rapid response. The KLENOT Project (the Kle Observatory
Near Earth and Other Unusual Objects Observations team and
telescope), started in 2002, is dedicated to the follow-up and
discovery of NEOs, namely NEOs in urgent need of additional
astrometric positions including Virtual Imapctors. The observing
strategies and obtained results of the KLENOT Project, including
confirmations of newly discovered NEOs, follow-up of radar
targets, recoveries of NEOs in the second opposition and NEO
discoveries will be presented and discussed.
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