Check, then Observe
We're getting another spell of what looks to be unneccessary duplication of effort. PLEASE. Check with the CALL site before you start work on a target, not after you have several sessions.
Some times duplication is good because the period cannot be effectively covered by one station or those of similar longitude. However, some times that single station can and does cover those more difficult objects by sticking with it a little longer. In the meantime, there are thousands of asteroids within reach of backyard telescopes that have no lightcurve parameters at all and dozens that are wanting only good coverage at one more apparition for modeling.
The CALL site's value as an observing tool is up to the observers. If used effectively, we all benefit as does asteroid research. If poorly used or abused then, like any tool, it eventually breaks and tossed aside.
CALL Site Sections
| Registration | Required to post observing notices and lightcurve summaries |
| Minor Planet Bulletin | Author's Guide and recent issue downloads (PDF) |
| Lightcurve Parameters | Harris/Warner file of known lightcurve parameters NEW! An intermediate, but not fully-vetted, version is now available. This update contains ~270 more summary line entries than the spring version. |
| Projects Page | The list of projects wanting amateur involvement was getting long! There's now a Projects Page that provides links to the ever growing list of on-going projects. |
| Lightcurve Targets | 2008 January 1 - March 31 2008 April 1 - June 30 2008 July 1 - September 30 2008 October 1 - December 31 2009 January 1 - March 31 |
| Observing Notifications | Let others know what you're observing or request collaborations. |
| Lightcurve Submissions | Post lightcurve parameters summaries |
| Search | Search Notifications and Summaries for a specific asteriod by number and/or name. |
| Other Lightcurve Sites | URLs for those doing asteroid lightcurve work. |
| Guide to Minor Planet Photometry | Some hints on getting started |