This page provides some details about the discoveries occurred at this observatory. I report the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (MPEC) where updated orbital elements for the listed bodies have been published, togheter with some animations. To date, the following minor planets have been discovered: 1998 DA (10931), 1998 TL7, 1999 CN10, 1999 CL12, 1999 NC1, 1999 PK, 1999QV1, 1999 RA, 1999 RN, 1999 RS2, 1999 RL35, 1999 TN4, 1999 TZ10.
 
 

On the night of Feb the 16 1998, I've discovered a new minor planet, which received the provisonal designation 1998 DA. It has been found while I was following some critical minor planets, which observation is recommended by Minor Planet Center. The measures taken over the next three days have permitted to compute the first orbit, so that Dr. Gareth V. Williams, MPC, has been able to link this object to a previous one, observed in 1987 (1987UO). The current designation, however, is the last one (1998 DA). The orbital elements have been published on the following MPEC circulars:

1) 1998-D07;
2) 1998-D08;
3) 1998-D11;
4) 1998-D14;
5) 1998-E01;
6) 1998-E06;
7) 1998-E28;
8) 1998-F07;
9) 1998-H10;
10)1999-K01;
11)1999-K32;
12)1999-L26;
13)1999-M02.

The animation presented above has been obtained by joining two frames taken the last Feb. 18. 1998 DA is near to the center of the picture, while 3521-Comrie (I was measuring this asteroid) is visible in the lower part, on the left. Observations over the next years are required to number definitely the new minor planet. Considering the info reported on the last MPEC cited above, it is now a four oppositions object.
The object, on the MPC 34805, has been numbered and it is indicated with the number (10931). 
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11 (280 mm, f/6.3) and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky, before of the final control on the MPC web site. 

On Oct the 15, 1998, during my astrometric observing sessions, I was measuring 1994 PA19. While blinking the frames, I noted another body, that turned out to be new. Its designation now is 1998 TL7. Because of the bad weather conditions, I've not been able to take measures in a second night, as requested from the Minor Planet Center to have a designation. I've sent an help request to some friends amateur astronomers, asking to try to recover this asteroid. On Oct. the 19, Bob Linderholm, NE (USA), took several very good CCD images with the minor planet, obtaining astrometric positions that have permitted to get the designation (thank you very much, Bob!). This animation, obtained by joining two of his frames, shows the asteroid while moving against the stars. Of course, it is necessary to get other positions to be able to recover the object at its next oppositions. I thank Bob and also Gordon Garradd (Australia) for their precious follow-up observations.
The orbital elements have been published on the following MPEC circulars:

1) 1998-V07;
2) 1998-V27;
3) 1998-X04;
4) 1998-X18.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Feb. the 13, 1999, I discovered this new asteroid, not too far from Regolus (alpha Leonis). It was clearly visible in four frames I imaged to look for new minor planets. I got the second night observations on Feb. the 16, obtaining the current designation from the Minor Planet Center. This animation shows the new object while moving against the stars; its brightness was around mag. 17.5. Brian Marsden, Minor Planet Center's director, has linked this object to 1997 UJ25, but the principal designation is 1999 CN10. The relative orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999-D09;
2) 1999-D11;
3) 1999-D18;
4) 1999-E13;
5) 1999-E19;
6) 1999-E24;
7) 1999-F03;
8) 1999-F09;
9) 1999-F18;
10) 1999-F19;
11) 1999-F36;
12) 1999-H36.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

I've discovered this asteroid on Feb. the 14, few hours later 1999 CN10. It was a bit dimmer than it. The animation underlines, as usual, its motion against the starry background and has been obtained by joining two of the discovery frames. Orbits for this asteroid have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999-D11;
2) 1999-D18;
3) 1999-E13;
4) 1999-E21;
5) 1999-F26;
6) 1999-F36;
7) 2000-Y26.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

The night between July the 11 and 12, during an observing session for hunting new minor planets, I discovered the previously unknown asteroid 1999 NC1. It was visible against a very dense starry background (near the galactic plane) and so it has been difficult to identify. Measuring its positions has been a very hard work, as the body was often too close to bright stars, especially during the second night, when it was near (less than 5 arcmin apart) to ni1 Sagittarii, of magnitude 5.7. Positions provided (on my request) by my friend Bob Linderholm, NE (USA) have been very useful. It was unusually bright, around magnitude 15.5. The discovery of such a bright asteroid is a rare event today. Furthermore, during the summer nights the antisolar point is quite low above the horizon, so, looking in that direction, it is difficult to find faint minor planets and there are few chances (for the Italian latitude) to discover new ones. This animation shows the body as in the night of the discovery; please note the high density of stars.
Following observations have been used by G. Williams, G. Williams, Minor Planet Center, to link the object to 1996 SM7; the second one is the main designation.
The orbital elements have been published on the following MPEC circulars (of course the object is reported there as 1996 SM7):

1) 1999-N23;
2) 1999-O09;
3) 2000-Y35.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

In the night between Aug the 5 and 6, during the asteroid hunting program under way at this observatory, I've found an unknown object in Acquarius. It is now known as 1999 PK. I noticed its fast proper motion and direction of motion, quite different from the ones I observed for main belt objects. Astrometricary and identification of this new minor planet have been quite hard, because its brightness is under mag 18, it is low above the horizon and moving fast towards south. Between Aug 6 and 7, I got the necessary second night positions, which are necessary to get the designation; they were in good accordance with Vaisala's method predictions.
This animation shows the body as in the night of the discovery.
Orbits for this asteroid have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999-P28;
2) 1999-P33;
3) 1999 Q09;
4) 1999 R09;
5) 1999 R12
6) 1999 R16;
7) 1999 R33;
8) 1999 S10;
9) 1999 T03;
10) 1999 U20;
11) 1999 U23;
12) 2000 Y26.

Using TheSky and the orbital elements published in the latest, cited MPEC, I've done a orbit diagram. Because of the major semiaxis lenght (a bit more than 1.9 A.U.) and the orbit inclination (24°), this asteroid belongs in the Hungaria family.
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

In the night between Aug the 21 and 23, a survey to hunt for unknown minor planets was under way. In two images, relative to a star field in Pisces, I noticed a moving object, unusually bright. Using The Sky and the Minor Planet Center's computer service (via telnet), I found that the object was unknown. I was captured by the very unusual proper motion of this body: it was going south-east, while common main belt objects visible in that zone (at the date of observation) were expected to have a motion componet toward west. The following night I've recovered this minor planet, obtaining useful astrometric positions, getting the designation. This animation shows the minor planet as it was during this second night: some galaxies are visible in the same field. I contacted my friend Bob Linderholm, NE (USA), who has been of help several times. He, few hours later, was tracking the asteroid, also getting several astrometric measures. It will be interesting to look at the orbital elements of this body when they will be available. On Aug the 24, the object has been posted on the NEO Confirmation Page of the Minor Planet Center's. Just few hours before Aug 26, the boby has been moved from that page, after the collection of 40 astrometric measures alla around the world; the orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999-Q12;
2) 1999-Q15;
3) 1999 R09;
4) 1999 R10;
5) 1999 R12;
6) 1999 R13;
7) 1999 R40;
8) 1999 T03;
9) 1999 T11;
10) 1999 U20;
11) 1999 U23;
12) 1999 V31.

On the MPEC 1999 R13 the object is reported to have a 46-days-based orbit. This means it has been linked with single night observations of something else.
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft, QMiPS32 and Astrometrica. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Sept. the 1th, during a survey deticated to the research of new minor planets, I've found a new body in Capricornus, which was not present on the Minor Planet Center database. The first check has been done, on the field, with TheSky V.5, using the Lowell Observatory's astrorb archive. The object is unusually bright (mag 16.2) and after the opposition, and this means that the asteroid was also brighter before the discovery! This animation has been assembled using two frames grabbed on the discovery night: the body is moving mainly in declination, as it was near its stationary point (passing from retrograd motion to direct motion). The following night I confirmed this minor planet and its position was quite different from the one calculated with the Vaisala method (probably because its motion was becoming direct). At this point, the Minor Planet Center has given the designation 1999 RA. The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999 R09;
2) 1999 R11;
3) 1999 R12;
4) 1999 R13;
5) 1999 R16;
6) 1999 R20;
7) 1999 R27;
8) 1999 R40;
9) 1999 S10;
10) 1999 S17;
11) 1999 S19;
12) 1999 T03;
13) 1999 T09;
14) 1999 T38;
15) 1999 U01;
16) 1999 V38;
17) 2001 A27.

On the MPEC 1999 R13 the object is reported to have a 108-days-based orbit. This means it has been linked with single night observations of something else.
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Sept. the 3th, in a field located in Pisces, I found a minor planet which was not included on the Lowell Database (checked with TheSky). This was confirmed with a direct check on the Minor Planet Center archive. Its magnitude was around 18.5. Because of very bad weather conditions, the body has been confirmed with some difficulties the night between 4 and 5 Sept., during the only 30 minutes of clear sky I had that night. I recovered the asteroid near the position expected by the Vaisala method. After this confirmation, I received, from the Minor Planet Center, the designation 1999 RN. It is also available an animation, which uses two frames captured the second night; the asteroid is easy to locate, because of its motion. A satellite trail is also visible. The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999 R12;
2) 1999 R13;
3) 1999 R20;
4) 1999 R40;
5) 1999 R46;
6) 1999 S10;
7) 1999 S16;
8) 1999 S19;
9) 1999 T03;
10) 1999 T09;
11) 1999 T49;
12) 1999 U26;
13) 1999 V10.

On the MPEC 1999 R13 the object is reported to have a 15-days-based orbit. This means it has been linked with single night observations of something else.
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Sept. the 6th, I've found an apparently unknown object in Acquarius, which magnitude was around 17. The first check has been done, on the field, with TheSky V.5, using the Lowell Observatory's astrorb archive. Also, no known objects in the Minor Planet Center database. I confirmed the discovery the following night. Using two frames grabbed the night of discovery, I did this animation, showing the body while moving against the starry background. So, the Minor Planet Center has given the designation 1999 RS2. The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999 R16;
2) 1999 R20;
3) 1999 R46;
4) 1999 S10;
5) 1999 T03;
6) 1999 T22;
7) 1999 V10;
8) 1999 V15;
9) 2000 Y44.

On the MPEC 1999 V15, G. V. Williams linked this object to 1998 FX144, and the principal designation is, fortunately, 1999 RS2.
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Sept. the 11st, while measuring positions for recently discovered asteroids, I've found, in Pisces, a moving object around mag. 18. A first check , with TheSky V.5, using the Lowell Observatory's astrorb archive, has given no known minor planets in that zone at the observing time. The same from the Minor Planet Center database. The following night, further astrometry for the new body has been performed and after this the Minor Planet Center has assigned the designation 1999 RL35. I did an animation from two frames grabbed the first night. The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999 R46;
2) 1999 S10;
3) 1999 S11;
4) 1999 S13;
5) 1999 S15;
6) 1999 S19;
7) 1999 T03;
8) 1999 T40;
9) 1999 T11;
10) 1999 U09;
11) 1999 U18;
12) 1999 U26;
13) 1999 V10;
14) 2000 Y42;
15) 2001 A19;
16) 2001 A27.

On the MPEC 1999 S13, G. V. Williams has linked the object with 1979 QG1, the principal designation being 1999 RL35, so now it is listed as a two-oppositions body.
The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Oct. the 4, 1999, during the observation of NEOs, an apparently, previously unknown object has been found in Pisces. The field has been checked for known asteroids as usual. The following night, the object was recovered and, after this, the Minor Planet Center assigned the provisonal designation 1999 TN4. This animation shows the body as it appeared on the discovery's night, while moving against the starry background (1999 TN4 is the object on the right, in the bottom part of the picture. The one near the center is 7547). The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999 T40;
2) 1999 T41;
3) 1999 U01.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Oct. the 8, 1999, in Pegasus, a moving object has been captured in several frames, grabbed in the area near Algenib, the Gamma Pegasi. It has not been possible to get directly the second night confirmation, needed to get a designation and the help of other observers has been very important. L. Robinson, D. Dixon e G. Hug have recovered the asteroid and thanks to their astrometric data the body received the designation 1999 TZ10. In this animation 1999 TZ10 appears as on the discovery images. The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 1999 U01;
2) 1999 U23;
3) 1999 V16.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.

On Dec. 22, 2000, I was recovering my old discovery 1999 RL35, in Gemini. Few arcmins notherr I noticed a faint, moving body. After a quick check, I found its was a new minor planet. I took three frames, but one of them showed the asteroid too close to a bright star. Because of bad weather conditions, I asked the help of other observers for the second night observations; Among them, Peter Kusnirak, Ondrejov observatory, got it, in four images His astrometry has permitted to receive the designation 2000 YJ8. Jim Roe too, Mexico, recovered it and his astrometry has been sent to the Minor Planet Center. Jim observed it also the following nights, on order to have enough data to compute an orbit. In thisanimation2000 YJ8 appears as on the discovery images.
The orbital elements have been published on the following MPECs:

1) 2000 Y44;
2) 2001 A16;
3) 2001 A27.

The instruments used where a Celestron CG-11, equipped with a Optec MAXField 0.33X reducer, and a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. The images have been processed and analyzed with CCDSoft. The first check has been done with TheSky ver. 5, before of the final control on the MPC web site.