Planning Near Earth Asteroid Observations on a 1m Class Telescope

Abstract

The number of known Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) has continued to grow in the last decade. Follow-up and recovery of newly discovered objects, as well as new astrometry at second or third oppositions are necessary to improve their orbits and predict any potential collision with the Earth in the future. A project to follow-up and recovery PHAs and NEAs is proposed, using 1m class telescopes in the next two years. Two incoming runs will take place first at Pic du Midi Observatory (France) and SAAO (South Africa), both to use 1m telescopes. Other observing runs are sought in the future. Collaborators to extend this project are welcomed.