MONGOLIAN-RUSSIAN COOPERATION MONGOLIAN-RUSSIAN COOPERATION IN KHURELTOGOOT OBSERVATORY IN THE ISON PROJECT FRAMEWORKIN KHURELTOGOOT OBSERVATORY IN THE ISON PROJECT FRAMEWORK

N.TungalagN.Tungalag11, I.Molotov, I.Molotov22, V.Voropaev, V.Voropaev22, V.Kouprianov, V.Kouprianov33, Yu.Krugly, Yu.Krugly44, S.Schmalz, S.Schmalz55, A.Pozanenko, A.Pozanenko66 11Research Center of Astronomy and Geophysics, Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaResearch Center of Astronomy and Geophysics, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

2 2 Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Moscow, RussiaKeldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Moscow, Russia33 Central (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory, RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russia Central (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory, RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

44Institute of Astronomy of Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, UkraineInstitute of Astronomy of Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine55Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, Potsdam, GermanyLeibniz Institute for Astrophysics, Potsdam, Germany

66Space Research Institute, RAS, Moscow, RussiaSpace Research Institute, RAS, Moscow, Russia

For the first time in Mongolia, regular observations started for applied and fundamental For the first time in Mongolia, regular observations started for applied and fundamental astronomical programs – in particular, for space debris research, observations of astronomical programs – in particular, for space debris research, observations of asteroids, and cosmic gamma-ray bursts. This was possible upon installation of optical asteroids, and cosmic gamma-ray bursts. This was possible upon installation of optical telescopes ORI-40 and VT-78a in Khureltogoot observatory, under support and telescopes ORI-40 and VT-78a in Khureltogoot observatory, under support and supervision of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) coordinated by supervision of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) coordinated by Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics (KIAM), Russian Academy of Sciences.Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics (KIAM), Russian Academy of Sciences.

Since 2009, the Research Center for Astronomy and Geophysics (RCAG) Since 2009, the Research Center for Astronomy and Geophysics (RCAG) cooperates with the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) for near-Earth cooperates with the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) for near-Earth space surveillance coordinated by Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics (KIAM), space surveillance coordinated by Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics (KIAM), Russian Academy of Sciences. ISON is an open international nongovernment project, Russian Academy of Sciences. ISON is an open international nongovernment project, mainly aimed at being a free source of information on space objects for scientific mainly aimed at being a free source of information on space objects for scientific analysis and other applications. ISON is currently one of the most wide-spread analysis and other applications. ISON is currently one of the most wide-spread observation networks and is one of only two of those in the world that is capable to observation networks and is one of only two of those in the world that is capable to observe the sky globally from both Eastern and Western hemispheres. ISON observe the sky globally from both Eastern and Western hemispheres. ISON observations are coordinated mainly by the KIAM center for collection, processing, and observations are coordinated mainly by the KIAM center for collection, processing, and analysis of information on space debris (ADAPS). To the date, ISON joins 35 analysis of information on space debris (ADAPS). To the date, ISON joins 35 observation facilities with 80 telescopes of apertures from 12.5 cm to 2.6 m in 15 observation facilities with 80 telescopes of apertures from 12.5 cm to 2.6 m in 15 countries and carries out researches on space debris, asteroids, and GRBs. 8.4 million countries and carries out researches on space debris, asteroids, and GRBs. 8.4 million measurements in 1.21 million tracklets for about 4000 Earth-orbiting objects were measurements in 1.21 million tracklets for about 4000 Earth-orbiting objects were collected by the ISON network in 2013. It is planned that a part of the orbital data will collected by the ISON network in 2013. It is planned that a part of the orbital data will be accessible via a UN-hosted web page in 2014.be accessible via a UN-hosted web page in 2014.

Since autumn 2012, RCAG and KIAM, in collaboration with ISON, conduct a Since autumn 2012, RCAG and KIAM, in collaboration with ISON, conduct a large amount of astronomical observations of space debris, asteroids, and optical large amount of astronomical observations of space debris, asteroids, and optical gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows at the new facility of the Khureltogoot observatory gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows at the new facility of the Khureltogoot observatory near UlaanBaatar.near UlaanBaatar.

Introduction

A new pavilion was built in Khureltogoot during 2012 to initiate collaboration with A new pavilion was built in Khureltogoot during 2012 to initiate collaboration with ISON. Since November 2012, observations began with the VT-78a 19.2 cm ISON. Since November 2012, observations began with the VT-78a 19.2 cm telescope with field of view of 7×7 degrees on a robotic WS-180 mount. The telescope with field of view of 7×7 degrees on a robotic WS-180 mount. The telescope is controlled by the CHAOS TCS software; CCD image processing is done telescope is controlled by the CHAOS TCS software; CCD image processing is done using the APEX II software platform developed within the ISON project. This using the APEX II software platform developed within the ISON project. This telescope provides extended surveys of a visible part of the geostationary ring from telescope provides extended surveys of a visible part of the geostationary ring from 0° to 20° degrees inclination, with up to 15 thousand measurements for 500 to 700 0° to 20° degrees inclination, with up to 15 thousand measurements for 500 to 700 objects per night. The limiting magnitude is 14objects per night. The limiting magnitude is 14m m for 10s exposure time, while the for 10s exposure time, while the time span of individual tracklets is up to several hours. These surveys help KIAM to time span of individual tracklets is up to several hours. These surveys help KIAM to increase the accuracy of geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) object orbits for increase the accuracy of geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) object orbits for conjunction analysis, to detect maneuvers of active satellites, and to assist in conjunction analysis, to detect maneuvers of active satellites, and to assist in maintaining the orbits of GEO objects in clusters. Moreover, many HEO objects are maintaining the orbits of GEO objects in clusters. Moreover, many HEO objects are detected as a by-product. detected as a by-product. Since November 2013, a new 40 cm telescope ORI-40 with the field of view of Since November 2013, a new 40 cm telescope ORI-40 with the field of view of 2.3×2.3 degrees on a robotic WS-240 mount was commissioned to provide dedicated 2.3×2.3 degrees on a robotic WS-240 mount was commissioned to provide dedicated observations of faint space debris fragments. The limiting magnitude is 16.5observations of faint space debris fragments. The limiting magnitude is 16.5mm for 10s for 10s exposure time. exposure time.

Methods and experiments

• Monitoring of space debris Monitoring of space debris

Starting from 2013 till 2014, 194 613 tracklets were obtained in 1 382 324 Starting from 2013 till 2014, 194 613 tracklets were obtained in 1 382 324 measurements over the total of 244 nights. As a result, a number of space debris measurements over the total of 244 nights. As a result, a number of space debris objects were discovered and catalogued that may constitute a threat to high-orbit objects were discovered and catalogued that may constitute a threat to high-orbit spacecrafts. Observatory staff actively participates in joint publications with their spacecrafts. Observatory staff actively participates in joint publications with their Russian colleagues. Recently, 9 joint papers were published, including a report at the Russian colleagues. Recently, 9 joint papers were published, including a report at the past COSPAR–2014 conference (Moscow, August 2014).past COSPAR–2014 conference (Moscow, August 2014).

• MPC codeMPC code

On February 5 2014, Khureltogoot Observatory was assigned the observatory code On February 5 2014, Khureltogoot Observatory was assigned the observatory code O75 by Gareth Williams of the Minor Planet Center (MPC), only a week after the start O75 by Gareth Williams of the Minor Planet Center (MPC), only a week after the start of minor planet observation with the ORI–40 telescope.of minor planet observation with the ORI–40 telescope.

• Asteroid surveysAsteroid surveys

A large number of observations of asteroids were carried out with the ORI–40 A large number of observations of asteroids were carried out with the ORI–40 telescope, aimed at discovery of new objects. The first results immediately showed that telescope, aimed at discovery of new objects. The first results immediately showed that the detection limit of ORI–40 is about ~19.5 mag for objects with small zenith angles. the detection limit of ORI–40 is about ~19.5 mag for objects with small zenith angles. Thus, it is quite a difficult task to discover new asteroids since most of those brighter Thus, it is quite a difficult task to discover new asteroids since most of those brighter than 19 mag are already known. Hence only near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and comets than 19 mag are already known. Hence only near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and comets remain the potential survey targets. However, after an improvement done in June 2014, remain the potential survey targets. However, after an improvement done in June 2014, the instrument is now suitable for highly accurate photometric observations of the instrument is now suitable for highly accurate photometric observations of asteroids brighter than 19 mag. Since then, the instrument is mainly targeted at asteroids brighter than 19 mag. Since then, the instrument is mainly targeted at obtaining light curves of already known asteroids to obtain their physical and obtaining light curves of already known asteroids to obtain their physical and dynamical parameters.dynamical parameters.

• NEO confirmation NEO confirmation

On April 12 2014, our first NEO confirmation was issued by the MPC in MPEC 2014-On April 12 2014, our first NEO confirmation was issued by the MPC in MPEC 2014-G75 for the Apollo-family asteroid 2014 GY48, which is also on the list of the G75 for the Apollo-family asteroid 2014 GY48, which is also on the list of the potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs). potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs).

• GRB afterglow observationGRB afterglow observation

Since 2012 more than 20 fields of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) were observed, Since 2012 more than 20 fields of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) were observed, in 5 cases in 5 cases optical afterglow were detected. Results for the following bursts were published in optical afterglow were detected. Results for the following bursts were published in GCNGCN circulars: GRB 140211A, GRB 140304A, GRB 140709B, GRB 140817A. For circulars: GRB 140211A, GRB 140304A, GRB 140709B, GRB 140817A. For GRBs observed, further photometric measurements or upper limits have been obtained GRBs observed, further photometric measurements or upper limits have been obtained by our colleagues in the Astronomy Department of the Space Research Institute, by our colleagues in the Astronomy Department of the Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAS). Most interesting GRBs detected are GRB Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAS). Most interesting GRBs detected are GRB 130427A (2130427A (2ndnd brightest GRB in optic), GRB brightest GRB in optic), GRB 140304A140304A (observed starting 8.7 min. after (observed starting 8.7 min. after burst trigger at BAT/Swift orbital telescope), and GRB 140629A (a dense light curve burst trigger at BAT/Swift orbital telescope), and GRB 140629A (a dense light curve for 1 hour was obtained). for 1 hour was obtained).

Results Abstract

Sample images obtained with ORI-40 telescope

Map of ISON sites and telescopes.Map of ISON sites and telescopes.

19.2-cm telescope VT-78a.19.2-cm telescope VT-78a. 40-cm telescope ORI-40.40-cm telescope ORI-40.

Comet Comet C2013R1C2013R1 ( (2014010620140106).). Crab Nebula in filter B.Crab Nebula in filter B.Supernova in M 82 on 21.01.2014. Supernova in M 82 on 21.01.2014.

Contact us Viktor Voropaev:Viktor Voropaev: voropaev@live.ru

Sergei Schmalz: Sergei Schmalz: sergiuspro@yahoo.de

Namkhai Tungalag: Namkhai Tungalag: ntungalag@rcag.ac.mn