PERFECT IMAGING PERFORMANCE
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| The observatory in Zimmerwald (Switzerland) |
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| The ZimLat System |
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| One of the satellites being measured |  |
| Distance Measurements |  |
| Sample Image taken on the 19th of January, 2010. |  |
| The same image as above, only with enlarged detail. Visible are the streaks of background stars; dot-shaped the satellites tracked by the system |  |
| The observatory in Zimmerwald (Switzerland) |  |
| The ZimSMART System developed by ASA Astrosysteme in cooperation with the Univesity of Bern (Switzerland) |
ASA in the Service of Science and International Space Administrations
Satellite Survey of the University in Bern
In cooperation with ASA Astrosysteme the Astronomical Institute of the University in Bern, (Switzerland) developed a project for the observation of Satellites and Near Earth Objects (NEOs). Leading factors in the consideration of ASA Astrosysteme was cost efficiency, reliability and full automation in conducting optical observations.
The Zimmerwald SMall Aperture Robotic Telescope ZimSMART developed by ASA is used to conduct surveys in the GEO and MEO orbital regions with the aim of building up and maintaining an orbital catalogue of objects in these regions. Both the Zimmerwald Laser and Astrometry Telescope (ZIMLAT) and the Zimmerwald SMall Aperture Robotic Telescope (ZimSMART) are operated on a routine basis for more than 180 nights (and days) per year. They are located at the Zimmerwald observatory near Bern, Switzerland and owned by the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB).
In the search for satellites and potentially hazardous space debris, photographs are taken every 40 seconds existing of 5 single shots with an exposure time of 5 seconds each. In this series a search for objects is then conducted. On the 19th of January, 2010 a search was conducted during 12 hours in the geo-stationary ring. During this time, 4542 CCD images were taken. On these photographs a total of 714 objects were found of which 69 of them were not recorded in any catalogue yet.
The observatory Zimmerwald of the University in Bern is one of 50 observation stations in the network of NASA's "International Laser Ranging Services" (ILRS) founded in 1998. In Zimmerwald, distance measurements are conducted using the "Satellite Laser Ranging" Method (SLR). SLR is one of the most precise methods for measuring the geocentric position of an orbital satellite. As one of many purposes, this method also allows for an accurate calibration of Radar Altimeter Instruments in satellites. Using SLR to calculate precisely the orbital paths of low altitude satellites allows for valuable information in respect to earth’s gravitational field. Last but not least, the SLR method can be used to determine the validity of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
Read more on ESA’s website
Credits: University of Bern/Zimmerwald Astronomical Institute and ASA Astrosysteme GmbH