Badlands Observatory

Badlands Observatory
Named after Badlands National Park Edit this on Wikidata
Organization Black Hills Astronomical Society
Observatory code 918
Location Quinn, South Dakota, US
Coordinates 43°59′27″N 102°7′51″W / 43.99083°N 102.13083°W / 43.99083; -102.13083Coordinates: 43°59′27″N 102°7′51″W / 43.99083°N 102.13083°W / 43.99083; -102.13083
Website
Telescopes
unnamed 26-inch reflector
Location of Badlands Observatory
Minor planets discovered: 8 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

The Badlands Observatory (IAU code 918) is an astronomical observatory named after the Badlands National Park, located in Quinn, South Dakota, near the city of Wall, United States. The observatory is run with support from the Black Hills Astronomical Society and was founded by American astronomer Ron Dyvig from the Kitt Peak Observatory in 2000.[2]

As of November 2016, a total of 25 numbered minor planets were discovered at the observatory. The Minor Planet Center credits these discoveries to Ron Dyvig and to the observatory, respectively. As an anomaly, the main-belt asteroid (315495) 2008 AQ3 discovered at Badlands Observatory in 2008, is credited to Italian amateur astronomer Fabrizio Tozzi.[3] Asteroid 26715 South Dakota, discovered by Ron Dyvig in 2001, is named after the U.S. state South Dakota, where the Badland observatory is located.[4]

When the observatory opened in a former medical facility, the town of Quinn installed hoods over the street lights to reduce light pollution.[5]

List of discovered minor planets

The Minor Planet Center credits the discovery of the following minor planets directly to the Badlands Observatory:[1]

(82361) 2001 MV623 June 2001list
(134973) 2001 FA16 March 2001list
(160882) 2001 PC2915 August 2001list
(208349) 2001 RX1011 September 2001list
(220245) 2002 XR4510 December 2002list
(222433) 2001 QB16 August 2001list
(241780) 2001 OK17 July 2001list
(252591) 2001 XO19 December 2001list

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Badlands Observatory". SD Space Grant Consortium. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "315495 (2008 AQ3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (26715) South Dakota. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 880. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "$25,000 Observatory Helps Scientists Track Asteroids". Voice of America. October 27, 2009.
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