Observations of high-elliptical space objects in the INASAN Zvenigorod Observatory

Abstract

The camera VAU in the Zvenigorod Observatory was upgraded in 2009. The central guide of a triaxial mount of camera VAU was replaced by wide angle telescope "Santel-500", produced by A.V. Sankovitch in "Santel-M" company. The telescope equipped with a CCD-receiver FLI PL-9000 (3056 × 3056 pixels). Characteristics of the new telescope (aperture 0.5 m, the focal length 1.25 m, field of view 2.8 sq.deg) are providing successful observations of high-elliptical near-earth space objects. For example, in 2013, during 88 nights of observations carried out more than 45 thousands of definition of positions and star magnitudes for 850 high-orbit space objects, which are primarily used for the maintenance of the Catalogue of space objects in the of Space Surveillance System of the Russian Federation. The main attention is paid to the observations of space debris. Efforts were successful sessions observations of several "Molniya" type satellites before their reentering to the atmosphere. Observatory successfully participated in the optical ballistic following of Anik G1 satellite launch. The results of observations are discussed.