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arXiv · 1510.05637

Observing Near-Earth Objects with the James Webb Space Telescope

Cristina A. Thomas·Paul Abell·Julie Castillo-Rogez·Nicholas Moskovitz·Michael Mueller·Vishnu Reddy·Andrew Rivkin·Erin Ryan·John Stansberry
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Abstract

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has the potential to enhance our understanding of near-Earth objects (NEOs). We present results of investigations into the observability of NEOs given the nominal observing requirements of JWST on elongation (85-135 degrees) and non-sidereal rates ($<$30mas/s). We find that approximately 75% of NEOs can be observed in a given year. However, observers will need to wait for appropriate observing windows. We find that JWST can easily execute photometric observations of meter-sized NEOs which will enhance our understanding of the small NEO population.

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Cristina A. Thomas, Paul Abell, Julie Castillo-Rogez, Nicholas Moskovitz, Michael Mueller, Vishnu Reddy, Andrew Rivkin, Erin Ryan, John Stansberry. 2015-10-19. Observing Near-Earth Objects with the James Webb Space Telescope. https://doi.org/10.1088/1538-3873%2F128%2F959%2F018002

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