Near Earth Asteroid search and follow-up beyond 22nd magnitude

Kurzfassung

We have performed a Near Earth Asteroid search and follow-up test beyond 22nd magnitude with the 2.2-m MPG/ESO and the New Technology Telescope (NTT) facilities at La Silla. The experiment comprised a total number of 4 nights at the 2.2-m telescope and 3 nights at the NTT on two separate runs. In addition to the discovery of two NEAs and the recovery of many more, this pilot program has shown the advantages as well as the problems of a dedicated program using much larger facilities than the ones currently used worldwide. We confirm the results of Jedicke et al. (cite{jedicke03}), that by observing at fainter magnitudes and finding objects at larger distances, such a system will discover km-sized NEAs with higher orbital e and i as well as a larger proportion of the smaller NEAs; moreover, it will shorten the time needed to reach 90% completeness for km-sized objects. The pilot program also evidenced the need for follow-up facilities compatible with the discovery telescopes.