Junk Bond Observatory

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Junk Bond Observatory
Alternative namesJBO Edit this at Wikidata
Observatory code 701 Edit this on Wikidata
LocationSonoran Desert, Arizona
Coordinates31°28′31″N 110°12′14″W / 31.4752°N 110.204°W / 31.4752; -110.204Coordinates: 31°28′31″N 110°12′14″W / 31.4752°N 110.204°W / 31.4752; -110.204
Altitude4,425 ft (1,349 m)
Established1996
Junk Bond Observatory is located in the United States
Junk Bond Observatory
Location of Junk Bond Observatory
[edit on Wikidata]
Minor planets discovered: 53 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

The Junk Bond Observatory (JBO; code: 701) is located in the Sonoran Desert at Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States.

It was established by amateur astronomer David Healy in his backyard in 1996,[2] using a Celestron 14 SCT and a 16-inch Meade LX200 telescopes in a roll-off shelter. In 2000, a 20" Ritchey-Chretien was installed, to be replaced by a 32" Ritchey in 2004.

Asteroid searches began in 1998 using a local computer network and search software. The first discovery at the observatory was made by Jeff Medkeff in June 1999. It was named 38203 Sanner after Glen Sanner also a member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club.[3]

As of November 2016, a total of 272 numbered minor planets have been discovered at the observatory, using a 32-inch telescope. The Minor Planet Center credits 219 of these discoveries to David Healy and/or Jeff Medkeff. The discovery of the remaining 53 numbered minor planets is credited directly to the observatory (see list below).[1]

Until his death in 2011, David Healy was a frequent contributor of follow-up observations to objects on the Near Earth Asteroid Confirmation Page, surveyed for asteroids netting approximately four new discoveries per month as of January 2007, performed discovery and confirmation photometry of extrasolar planet transits, and performed photometry of cataclysmic variable stars and active galactic nuclei. The telescope operated robotically, unattended for most of the night, controlled by software by Bob Denny and Jeff Medkeff.

JBO was dismantled in August 2021. The telescope, dome, and other equipment were purchased by a private buyer.

List of discovered minor planets[]

The Minor Planet Center directly credits the Junk Bond Observatory with the discovery of 53 numbered minor planets during 2000–2005.[1]

(145041) 2005 FJ6 31 March 2005 list
(161574) 2005 DS 28 February 2005 list
(171241) 2005 KY11 30 May 2005 list
(180926) 2005 LD24 11 June 2005 list
(198492) 2004 XU62 10 December 2004 list
(202307) 2005 DQ 28 February 2005 list
(207111) 2005 AS30 9 January 2005 list
(214257) 2005 GP 1 April 2005 list
(215936) 2005 KQ10 30 May 2005 list
(223988) 2005 BX1 16 January 2005 list
(226515) 2003 UO45 18 October 2003 list
(232900) 2004 XG51 14 December 2004 list
(232967) 2005 EY70 4 March 2005 list
(235910) 2005 EO25 3 March 2005 list
(236032) 2005 GY166 11 April 2005 list
(240615) 2004 XU49 13 December 2004 list
(242515) 2004 YS32 31 December 2004 list
(245312) 2005 EQ37 7 March 2005 list
(245358) 2005 EF272 11 March 2005 list
(250352) 2003 SA217 27 September 2003 list
(253592) 2003 TV12 15 October 2003 list
(253604) 2003 UE24 23 October 2003 list
(257964) 2001 BD61 30 January 2001 list
(259523) 2003 UA24 23 October 2003 list
(259683) 2003 XE15 15 December 2003 list
(267977) 2004 FY145 30 March 2004 list
(272010) 2005 DP 28 February 2005 list
(275727) 2001 BG61 30 January 2001 list
(277053) 2005 EO37 4 March 2005 list
(280617) 2004 XC63 15 December 2004 list
(280635) 2004 YO1 19 December 2004 list
(280707) 2005 GV59 6 April 2005 list
(287839) 2003 SY218 28 September 2003 list
(298439) 2003 UB24 23 October 2003 list
(299081) 2005 EK39 8 March 2005 list
(308199) 2005 EY32 4 March 2005 list
(311195) 2004 XZ62 14 December 2004 list
(314162) 2005 FL8 21 March 2005 list
(331965) 2004 XK41 11 December 2004 list
(334977) 2004 ED52 15 March 2004 list
(335192) 2005 EC24 3 March 2005 list
(337309) 2000 YD125 29 December 2000 list
(337320) 2001 BF61 30 January 2001 list
(344969) 2004 XQ49 10 December 2004 list
(345016) 2005 EP4 1 March 2005 list
(345066) 2005 JR1 3 May 2005 list
(348396) 2005 HA3 17 April 2005 list
(351332) 2004 XH41 10 December 2004 list
(363457) 2003 SB208 26 September 2003 list
(370553) 2003 UD24 23 October 2003 list
(387919) 2004 YT32 31 December 2004 list
(427601) 2003 SC208 26 September 2003 list
(446968) 2003 UP190 23 October 2003 list

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. ^ "66479 Healy (1999 RQ33)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  3. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(38203) Sanner [2.53, 0.12, 5.9]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (38203) Sanner, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 204–205. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2413. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.

External links[]

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