Golden Ears Observatory

We explore, discover and share the wonders of the Cosmos.

About us

The Golden Ears Observatory is a privileged signatory of the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN). We support planetary defense activities such as detecting, tracking and reporting precise astrometry of newly discovered asteroids, known potentially hazardous asteroids and other unusual minor planets.

In addition, the Golden Ears Observatory Transient Survey (GEOTS) reports discoveries of transients of cataclysmic nature like dwarf novae, to the International Astronomical Union.

Click below to find more about us and our instruments.

Golden Ears Observatory - Observations Statistics
Minor Planet Discovery Confirmations
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New Transient Discoveries
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MPEC Publications
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Total No. of Observations
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We aim at inspiring our followers to appreciate the beauty of the Universe and the plethora of mysteries and secrets it hides within…  

Bal — Founder, Golden Ears Observatory

Activities
Overview

The observatory is setup to autonomously schedule, acquire and process images, on every clear night of the year. Custom written software is employed to search for minor planets (both known and unknown) in near real time. At the end of every night, observations of known minor planets and completed sky coverage plots are sent to the Minor Planet Centre.

Asteroid

Minor Planet Survey

The observatory's Minor Planet Survey autonomously searches for fast moving Near Earth Objects (NEA) on a nightly basis using a 14" wide-field (F/1.9) Cassegrain telescope. A smaller 10" Ritchey-Chretien telescope is employed independently for discovery confirmation of newly discovered minor planets by professional Sky Surveys such as Catalina Sky Survey and PANSTARRS. The official code of the observatory, assigned by the Minor Planet Centre (MPC) is U55.

Nova

Transient Survey

The Golden Ears Observatory Transient Survey (GEOTS) searches for new variable stars and cataclysmic events such as Nova, Dwarf nova and Supernova. Several discoveries made by the observatory have been confirmed by the orbiting GAIA space observatory. The observatory also confirms transient discoveries made by professional Sky Surveys such as the Zwicky Transient Facility and ASAS-SN Sky Patrol.

MeteorSurvey

Meteor Survey

An All Sky Camera System installed at the observatory, consisting of 7 high resolution ccd cameras and a linux computer, monitors the night sky continuously from dusk to dawn and shares time of impact, astrometry and photometry data of bright meteors and Bolides with the American Meteor Society (AMS) on a daily basis. The AMS Code for the Golden Observatory Meteor Survey is AMS126.

Sun

Solar Astronomy

All Solar observations are done using a Quark Chromosphere Ha filter mounted on a large 6-inch Refractor telescope.

RGB_Vela

Astrophotography

Several telescopes are used for Astrophotography depending on the type of the deep space objects imaged. Pixinsight is used to post process images.

spacedebris1_1

Space Situational Awareness

Several Canadian Government funded research has been carried out at the site using state-of-the-art detectors for detection and classification of Geostationary and Low Earth Orbiting Satellites both in day and night.