On The Possibility of Identification of the Moving Celestial Objects Observed with the Space Astrometric Telescope

Extract

In connection with the creation of the scientific grounds of the Russian Project named “Struve” Space Astrometric System, the main principles of classification and identification of any celestial moving object observed with this System were formulated and basic algorithms were elaborated. These algorithms are invariable for a short or long observational arc, for a known or unknown heavenly body and for an artificial or natural celestial object.

For classification of observed celestial bodies the angular velocities of motion are used. These values are calculated from the statistical treatment of the 5 nearest spherical celestial body positions with a time intervalbetween them near 7 seconds.

For an identification of well known sky objects ordinary procedure may be used by means of traditional ephemeris calculations. For an identification of unknown natural celestial bodies a special algorithm was developed. Ituses a calculated angular velocity of moving object from one scan to another close scan of observations. Then, having several accurate positions of fixed object during 5-10 hours per day, we can determine an initial elliptical object’s orbit by the Apparent Motion Parameters Method created at Pulkovo Observatory. It deals with a position of object, its angular velocity and acceleration, position’s angle and a curvature of trajectory on a short observational arc. These last four quantities are named the Apparent Motion Parameters.

In spite of a preliminary character of the AMP-method orbits we can identify an observed object through a large interval of time, for example over 2-4 months after orbit determination. In this problem the observed and calculated angular velocities of the object’s motion are very useful.They are new and important ephemeris parameters at the epoch of Space Telescope astrometric positional observations. Examples of simulations of orbit determinations will be presented.