Acquirement of the observatory code of Langkawi National Observatory

Abstract

Observatory code was assigned by The International Astronomical Union (IAU) Minor Planet Center (MPC) for a permanent observatory that intended to do astrometric CCD-observing program of minor planet or comets in solar system. The purpose of acquiring an observatory code is to document specific details about a particular observation site and the types of instruments used within the observatory. In addition, many astronomical centers and stations worldwide will know there is an active observatory at the particular location and international cooperation program in astronomy observation is possible. The Langkawi National Observatory has initiated an observation program to monitor minor planet, specifically those Near Earth Objects (NEOs) that may bring potentially hazardous to the Earth. In order to fulfil the requirement that stated by MPC for undertaking astrometric CCD-observing program, an observatory code was required. The instruments and methods that applied to obtain the observatory code will be discussed. The Langkawi National Observatory is now coded as O43 and listed in the MPC system, the single worldwide location for receipt and distribution of positional measurements of minor planets, comets and outer irregular natural satellites of major planets.

Expanding astronomy research in Malaysia

“…It was established to be the main training platform for Malaysia's astronomy human capital, and for Malaysian astronomers to embark on international collaborations in optical astronomy research 3 . Its primary telescope is a Ritchey-Chrétien reflector optical telescope that has an aperture of 0.51 metres in diameter 4 . Its main charge-coupled device (CCD) camera has an array of 1024 × 1024 pixels, which produces a field of view of 20.1' × 20.…”

Limiting magnitudes and night sky brightness at the Langkawi National Observatory based on observations of standard stars

“…In addition to CCD imaging, this 20-inch RC telescope has also been used in spectroscopic observations [2,3,4]. Recently, LNO has acquired an observatory code as O43 from the Minor Planet Center [5].…”