Junk Bond Observatory

The Junk Bond Observatory (JBO; code: 701) is located in the Sonoran Desert at Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States.

Junk Bond Observatory
Alternative namesJBO
Observatory code 701 
LocationSonoran Desert, Arizona
Coordinates31°28′31″N 110°12′14″W
Altitude4,425 ft (1,349 m)
Established1996
Location of Junk Bond Observatory
Minor planets discovered: 53 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

It was established by amateur astronomer David Healy in his backyard in 1996,[2] using a Celestron 14 SCT and a 16-inch Meade LX200 telescopes in a roll-off shelter. In 2000, a 20" Ritchey-Chretien was installed, to be replaced by a 32" Ritchey in 2004.

Asteroid searches began in 1998 using a local computer network and search software. The first discovery at the observatory was made by Jeff Medkeff in June 1999. It was named 38203 Sanner after Glen Sanner also a member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club.[3]

As of November 2016, a total of 272 numbered minor planets have been discovered at the observatory, using a 32-inch telescope. The Minor Planet Center credits 219 of these discoveries to David Healy and/or Jeff Medkeff. The discovery of the remaining 53 numbered minor planets is credited directly to the observatory (see list below).[1]

Until his death in 2011, David Healy was a frequent contributor of follow-up observations to objects on the Near Earth Asteroid Confirmation Page, surveyed for asteroids netting approximately four new discoveries per month as of January 2007, performed discovery and confirmation photometry of extrasolar planet transits, and performed photometry of cataclysmic variable stars and active galactic nuclei. The telescope operated robotically, unattended for most of the night, controlled by software by Bob Denny and Jeff Medkeff.

JBO continues in nightly use searching for extrasolar planets transits under the supervision of the Spectrashift.com team.

List of discovered minor planets

The Minor Planet Center directly credits the Junk Bond Observatory with the discovery of 53 numbered minor planets during 2000–2005.[1]

(145041) 2005 FJ631 March 2005list
(161574) 2005 DS28 February 2005list
(171241) 2005 KY1130 May 2005list
(180926) 2005 LD2411 June 2005list
(198492) 2004 XU6210 December 2004list
(202307) 2005 DQ28 February 2005list
(207111) 2005 AS309 January 2005list
(214257) 2005 GP1 April 2005list
(215936) 2005 KQ1030 May 2005list
(223988) 2005 BX116 January 2005list
(226515) 2003 UO4518 October 2003list
(232900) 2004 XG5114 December 2004list
(232967) 2005 EY704 March 2005list
(235910) 2005 EO253 March 2005list
(236032) 2005 GY16611 April 2005list
(240615) 2004 XU4913 December 2004list
(242515) 2004 YS3231 December 2004list
(245312) 2005 EQ377 March 2005list
(245358) 2005 EF27211 March 2005list
(250352) 2003 SA21727 September 2003list
(253592) 2003 TV1215 October 2003list
(253604) 2003 UE2423 October 2003list
(257964) 2001 BD6130 January 2001list
(259523) 2003 UA2423 October 2003list
(259683) 2003 XE1515 December 2003list
(267977) 2004 FY14530 March 2004list
(272010) 2005 DP28 February 2005list
(275727) 2001 BG6130 January 2001list
(277053) 2005 EO374 March 2005list
(280617) 2004 XC6315 December 2004list
(280635) 2004 YO119 December 2004list
(280707) 2005 GV596 April 2005list
(287839) 2003 SY21828 September 2003list
(298439) 2003 UB2423 October 2003list
(299081) 2005 EK398 March 2005list
(308199) 2005 EY324 March 2005list
(311195) 2004 XZ6214 December 2004list
(314162) 2005 FL821 March 2005list
(331965) 2004 XK4111 December 2004list
(334977) 2004 ED5215 March 2004list
(335192) 2005 EC243 March 2005list
(337309) 2000 YD12529 December 2000list
(337320) 2001 BF6130 January 2001list
(344969) 2004 XQ4910 December 2004list
(345016) 2005 EP41 March 2005list
(345066) 2005 JR13 May 2005list
(348396) 2005 HA317 April 2005list
(351332) 2004 XH4110 December 2004list
(363457) 2003 SB20826 September 2003list
(370553) 2003 UD2423 October 2003list
(387919) 2004 YT3231 December 2004list
(427601) 2003 SC20826 September 2003list
(446968) 2003 UP19023 October 2003list

See also

References
  1. "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. "66479 Healy (1999 RQ33)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  3. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(38203) Sanner [2.53, 0.12, 5.9]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (38203) Sanner, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 204–205. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2413. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
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