Statistics
Scientific paper
Sep 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.3707g&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #37.07; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.551
Statistics
1
Scientific paper
We present here the results for the first attempt to survey the sub-kilometre radius KBO population by stellar occultation. Using the unique capabilities of the 1.2m UK Schmidt Telescope (Anglo Australian Observatory, Australia), in conjunction with the 6df Spectrograph, by simultaneously monitoring 100 suitably selected stars, we were able to embark upon an occultation observation program which yielded 7,000 hours of stellar light curves, with 10 millisecond resolution.
Initial data reduction indicates that we have captured many events which resemble occultation events, in so far as the light curves of recorded events typically match that which may be expected when a small KBO occults a distant star. Logged events are spread over many pixels, with 10 pixels (corresponding to 100 milliseconds) being the typical event duration. By simultaneously monitoring many stars in the same field, false events are eliminated.
Most runs monitored blue stars located at 2kpcs. As a sanity check, one night's observing monitored close F and G class stars in the same field. The event statistics for the distant and the close star cases are consistent with occultations caused by KBO's. As an additional confirmation, it was found that the observation results at 30o and 60o past opposition give the expected 50% fall in event rate due to the change in observing geometry. It is estimated that many of the events logged correspond to occultations which would be caused by objects down to 300m radius.
As the next step, it is hoped to construct a purpose-built 2,000 fibre instrument and to conduct a complete survey of the Kuiper Belt.
We wish to express our thanks to the Anglo Australian Observatory for their technical assistance and telescope time.
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