[BAA Comets] Profitability of northern sky surveys -- anymore?

amar sharma amar10sharmaa at yahoo.co.in
Sun Mar 3 10:23:01 GMT 2019


Hello BAA Comet members,
I wish to learn of a question from you. This is on Sky Surveys.
The last I was in touch in depth on this topic was over half a decade ago (when working vehemently on comet history, if some of you recall). So I'm out of touch on the developments -- and shut downs -- that have happened on the sky survey front in the by-gone recent years.
What has changed since half a decade ago? Pan-STARRS. Just now came to know of ATLAS. And?
Generally speaking, with so many -- as ever -- sky surveys around in the northern hemisphere and the still-incompetent ratio with the southern hemisphere, what is the status of patrolling going on in the northern hemi.? Is it going to reach a saturation level anytime, disregarding the fact that newer minor planets will keep appearing and being discovered from what are actually existing?
What is the utility of a northern hemisphere sky survey being established as of 2019, say until 2025? Is it of any useful value if any new northern surveys are constructed? Or should the focus go southern? And what if the surveys are amateur sized, i.e. 16-24 inches with sensitive CCDs? My intention of asking is not of professional sized surveys (>0.75-1-meter) but of amateur ones.
Just asking.

Next question. If you -- amateur sized surveys -- are to hunt for undiscovered objects from where you are -- above +30* -- then what are your likely targets going to be from the genres available? Comets. Main Belt Asteroids. Near Earth Asteroids. Supernovae. Novae. Variable Stars. Some other Transient Objects.
Its understood that the thrust of working the survey is "to enjoy the journey more than the destination", i.e. happy if you get some new under your belt, but even happier to be out each night attempting sleuthing.
Thank you. Regards, Amar.
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