Invention:
The Monitor subsystem in the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) software suite is designed to help track the status of newly discovered and recently observed asteroids and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). It gathers data from various public sources, such as the Minor Planet Center and other NEO survey programs, to provide a clear and prioritized summary of which objects require further observation. This allows CSS observers to focus on the most important objects, ensuring efficient use of resources and reducing the risk of missing significant discoveries. The system displays this information on an internal webpage, improving coordination between telescopes and enabling quick updates on new or ongoing observations. By making this data accessible and easy to track, the monitor subsystem supports global research efforts, aligning with NASA's Open-Source Data Management Plan to aid other researchers in the search for potentially hazardous asteroids.
Background:
The technology addresses the challenge of effectively tracking and monitoring Near-Earth Objects that could pose a collision threat to Earth. Current solutions rely on various global NEO surveys, but many face limitations in data coordination, observation prioritization, and ensuring that enough observations are made to determine accurate orbits. As a result, significant discoveries can sometimes be overlooked, and important NEOs may not receive timely follow-up observations. The CSS Monitor subsystem improves upon these issues by consolidating data from multiple sources into a single, prioritized interface, making it easier for observers to focus on high-priority objects. Unlike other systems that may not prioritize actions or streamline updates efficiently, this software highlights critical objects and prevents recent discoveries from being missed. This system enhances coordination between observatories and ensures that resources are used effectively, addressing gaps in current monitoring methods.
Applications:
- Near Earth Object (NEO) detection
- Planetary defense and asteroid tracking
- Space exploration and observation
- Astronomical research and data analysis
Advantages:
- Provides prioritized tracking of Near-Earth Objects
- Improves coordination between observatories and surveys
- Prevents significant discoveries from being overlooked
- Part of a specialized software suite that’s an all-in-one solution for NEO detection
- Supports research in alignment with NASA's Open-Source Data Management Plan
