Astronomical Imaging of asteroid 617 Patroclus in support of NASA's Lucy mission.

The primary goal of this project is to image asteroid 617 Patroclus as part of NASA’s ongoing effort to support the Lucy probe mission. NASA has issued a call for astronomers to collect additional data on 617 Patroclus to assist with the probe’s navigation and trajectory adjustments during its mission to study Trojan asteroids. Our observations will contribute to refining the asteroid’s orbital parameters, enhancing mission planning for the Lucy spacecraft. Additionally, this project will allow us to test and calibrate the new equipment recently installed at the West Point Observatory, ensuring it meets the required standards for high-precision astronomical imaging.



Through successful imaging of 617 Patroclus, we aim to verify the functionality of the new hardware, including the telescope, imaging system, and control software. The project also serves as an opportunity to refine our imaging techniques for future observations of asteroids and other celestial bodies. Our results will be submitted to relevant NASA databases, further contributing to the collective knowledge base for the Lucy mission.