Previous | Session 56 | Next
E Rhoads, R. Humphries, C. Woodward (University of Minnesota), J Larsen (United States Naval Academy)
The digitized first epoch Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS I) is an ideal and unused archive for the purpose of data mining Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). When accounting for overlap in TNO phase space and the area of the plates covered by stars and galaxies, the effective sky coverage area for this search was 4931 square degrees for Plutinos, and 4992 square degrees for classical TNOs. Using constraints based on the properties of known TNOs, computer codes were used to separate TNO candidates from millions of stars and galaxies. Lists of possible TNO, Centaur, and asteroid candidates were created. The results of this survey yielded 17 reliable TNOs and TNO candidates, including Pluto, Quaoar, and Varuna. In addition to the TNOs, 28 Centaur and 31 Asteroid candidates were found. The TNO Quaoar was pre-covered, and the Main Belt Asteroid (395) Delia was also recovered. I would like to thank the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium for helping to fund my research.
Previous | Session 56 | Next
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.