Preliminary analysis of a potential asteroid from the IASC campaign using Pan-STARRS data

TL;DR

This paper analyzes a potential asteroid candidate using Pan-STARRS data, confirming its identity as a known asteroid and demonstrating the effectiveness of independent analysis and database verification in asteroid detection.

Contribution

It provides an independent analysis and confirmation of asteroid 2021 CP66 using Pan-STARRS data, highlighting the importance of thorough database cross-checking.

Findings

Confirmed the candidate as asteroid 2021 CP66

Demonstrated accuracy of independent analysis methods

Highlighted the importance of database verification

Abstract

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of a potential asteroid candidate, ISP0010, using images provided by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope as part of our participation in the International Astronomical Search Collaboration campaign. IASC is one of the leading contributors to the detection of various Near-Earth Objects and Main Belt asteroids. Using Astrometrica software we analysed those images and extracted their key parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio, right ascension, declination, flux, FWHM, RMS, and magnitude. Later, we analysed its trajectory, apparent angular speed, and error analyses using python and its libraries. In the end, we concluded that ISP0010 would be a potential candidate for an asteroid. However, on cross-verifying with the Minor Planet Centre database, we found that ISP0010 was already reported on February 27, 2021, and a total of 25 observations has been reported up to the date and currently the object has been designated as 2021 CP66. Our date of observation of 2021 CP66 was February 27, 2025. This study thus provides an independent confirmation and characterization of 2021 CP66, demonstrating the accuracy of our analysis and underscoring the importance of thorough database verification in asteroid detection.