The proposed project aims to study the physical properties of the near-earth asteroids (NEAs)
and to refine their orbital elements, through photometric and astrometric observations. The
relevance of studying NEAs is determined by the importance: for fundamental science – the
study of the evolution of Solar System bodies, fracture mechanisms, and formation of multiple
asteroid systems; for applied science – NEAs serve as a source of minerals and metals, which are
close to the Earth; for the social sphere – detection of the largest NEAs, long-term prediction of
asteroid’s impacts with the Earth, and identification of the physical and dynamic features of the
NEAs, which is necessary to prepare for and prevent an ecological catastrophe or asteroid impact
on Earth in a timely effective manner. The project includes observations of NEAs with the
telescope at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory: the 0.7 m meniscus telescope AC-32.
The telescope is equipped with modern CCD camera. Abastumani is a place with many clear
nights and, subsequently, high quality imaging. There are more than 200 clear nights per year.
The accuracy of the measured coordinates of asteroids are typically better than 0.5 arcsec.
Photometry includes measurements of relative and absolute magnitudes. Relative measurements
are conducted on the treatment of the atmospheric extinction by subtracting the nearby
comparison stars. The accuracy of this photometry usually amounts to 0.005-0.02 mag.
Determining the absolute magnitude of asteroids (calibrated photometry) involves obtaining
relative measurements of brightness of the asteroid and comparison stars with reference to the
standard photometric stars. The accuracy of absolute photometry is most often determined by
the precision of the used standards and the clarity of the weather; it is in the range 0.01-0.03
mag. The observations of asteroids and the data processing in Abastumani will be carried out
with close international collaboration. Members of research team are: the principal investigator,
the project coordinator and two young scientists. All participants of the project have sufficient
expertise in collective scientific work, which will provide the success of the presented project.
The research infrastructure for project implementation, the close scientific connections of the
project participants and the international cooperation with observers around the world create the
1 |Annex 3
initial base that will guarantee successful implementation of the project objectives. Limitations in
this project may arise from damaging the telescope and/or other technical devices. All expected
challenges during the project implementation period can be solved with the help of the personnel
involved in the project and technical staff of the Observatory.