Lunar impact flash results and space surveillance activities at Kryoneri Observatory

TL;DR

This paper reports on lunar impact flash observations and satellite tracking activities at Kryoneri Observatory, highlighting the results from the NELIOTA program, including impact statistics and future space surveillance plans.

Contribution

It presents new data on lunar impact flashes, including size, mass, and temperature analyses, and demonstrates Kryoneri Observatory's capabilities for satellite tracking and space surveillance.

Findings

Over 170 validated lunar impact flashes recorded

Statistical analysis of meteoroid sizes and impact frequencies

Future plans for enhanced space surveillance services

Abstract

We present current and future activities regarding lunar impact flash and NEO observations and satellite tracking from Kryoneri Observatory. In particular, we present results from the ESA-funded NELIOTA program, which has been monitoring the Moon for impact flashes since early 2017. Using the 1.2 m Kryoneri telescope, which is equipped with two high frame-rate cameras recording simultaneously in two optical bands, NELIOTA has recorded over 170 validated lunar impact flashes, while another ~90 have been characterized as suspected. We present statistical results concerning the sizes, the masses and the appearance frequency of the meteoroids in the vicinity of the Earth, as well as the temperatures developed during the impacts. Moreover, we present the capabilities of the Kryoneri telescope as a sensor for satellite tracking and the future plans regarding the provision of high-quality services for both the Planetary Defense activities of ESA (S2P/PDO) and the European Union's Space Surveillance and Tracking programme (EU/SST).