Hi Patrick, Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. I also looked at Astrometrica after the discussion on mpml. I still prefer a few of the Maxim DL/Pinpoint features vs Astrometrica. But, I really like how Astrometrica displays all the known MP's from MPCORB onto my images at the expected locations. Does TheSky/CCDSoft do that also? At 25 euros for Astrometrica (about $33?) it's tough to go too far wrong. Like you said - the automatic surveys are getting most of the discoveries now - but I'm still having lots of fun! I hope you don't mind me asking you a few more questions, from time to time, as I continue working this. Again, I really appreciate your time and help with it. Clear skies, Dale.

-----Original Message----- On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 12:02 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Minor planets

Dale Hooper wrote:

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Hi Patrick,

I just got my minor planet observatory code today (G87)! Kudos! In case you need to know it mine is 718.

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- so I hope you don't mind a question or two. Not at all.

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I thought it was okay to report the mid-point of the observation? I.e. it doesn't matter if there is some streaking if you get the mid-point position and time (or an end-point position and time). I think you are right. I posted the question because I've never worked an asteroid moving fast enough to trail in my typically 2 minutes or less exposures. Now that I'm thinking along the lines of NEOs I may have to learn how it's done. However, now that I've purchased Astrometrica it may solve the problem for me.

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Are you observing NEO's or doing photometry? I tried my first NEO a few nights ago but until I feel good about the data I wont be officially reporting them.

Most (all?) of the astrometry software today automatically does photometry so I guess you could say I'm doing minor planet photometry as well. I'm also trying to figure out how to do light curves.

I got into this back when it was still pretty easy to make discoveries so back then (1998) my primary concern was astrometry. Now that the game is changing I'm trying to figure out what to do now.

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Is that why this would be more important? I'm sure the answer to that will depend on which camp you ask. I don't have an opinion.

Good luck!

Patrick