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S. Larson, E. Beshore, R. Hill, E. Christensen, D. McLean, S. Kolar (LPL, University of Arizona), R. McNaught, G. Garradd (RSAA, Australian National University)
After extensive refurbishment, the Catalina Schmidt is back on line and the Catalina Sky Survey for NEOs has resumed. Compared to the old system, the new coverage rate has doubled to the same R~19.3 limit with a red filter that reduces scattered moonlight and twilight. The data reduction and detection software has been improved with features to automate "housekeeping" and to be more fault tolerant. Together, these help free the observer to concentrate on visual validation of moving object candidates.
The Siding Spring Survey is a southern hemisphere component based upon the modified 0.5-m Uppsala Schmidt to use the same type of camera, support computers, and software. Currently in commissioning phase, it will cover areas of the sky unreachable by the northern hemisphere surveys.
New to the CSS is the Mt. Lemmon 1.5-m which has been upgraded with computer control and a prime focus camera. Our objective with this instrument is to survey smaller areas to a fainter limit (R~ 22) for two weeks per month. The cell for the field correcting optics is nearing completion and commissioning is planned for this fall.
We describe the details of these facilities, the synergy afforded by the diverse locations and apertures, and the efficiencies that can result from using similar software and processes in conducting all three surveys.
This work is supported by NASA NEOO grants NAGW5-10853 and NAGW5-132
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35 #4
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.