The first internationally recognized Moroccan amateur astronomical laboratory | Morocco

After 3 months of work, Astronomers has already been able to capture many images of the deep sky, some of which have been selected by astronomical photographers as the best images taken in the community.

அகதிர் The new Moroccan Astronomical Observatory with open roof has been approved by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (MPC) after providing exclusive observational information on 6 key asteroids in the asteroid belt and “near-Earth asteroid”. (Near-Earth Asteroid NEA).

Zuhair bin Kaldawun, director of the Okaimeden Laboratory for Astronomical Observatory affiliated with Gaddy Ayyat University in Marrakesh, said in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that the new laboratory was able to obtain the code ‘Z02’. Thanks.

Open Roof Laboratory

According to a report by the Oukaimeden Observatory, “The new laboratory was built last May. It has an open roof and 6 columns for installing telescopes. This achievement falls within the framework of fruitful collaboration between amateur astronomers and astronomers.”

According to Zuhair Ben Caldown, the new laboratory was built in collaboration with the Moroccan Astronomical Society and the Okaimeden Astronomical Observatory. The Observatory is “somewhat dedicated to photographing various celestial bodies. It will be used within the framework of collaborations between professionals and amateurs to monitor scientifically significant objectives for projects developed in the laboratory.”

The importance of this first amateur laboratory in the Kingdom of Morocco – according to astronomer Aziz Kawash – “allows scientists to keep pace with national and international laboratories in observation and observation to verify the astronomical calculations of the orbits of these asteroids. Does not specify the role it may play in.

The new laboratory has an open roof and is equipped with 6 columns to install 6 telescopes (Al-Jazeera)

International recognition

On September 13, the International Astronomical Union’s Small Planets Center assigned a new logo to the “Z02” laboratory after presenting observational data from experienced astronomer Aziz Gavash, a member of the Moroccan Astronomical Society.

This logo is the third type obtained in the laboratory since the “Z43” code for the “TRAPPIST” dome fitted with the 60 cm telescope in 2007, and the “J43” code for the main dome in 2007.

Aziz Kawash said, “A laboratory must comply with the rules established by the Minor Planet Center for international accreditation and is included in the revised document dated November 18, 2018.”

Zuhair bin Caldown noted that “this recognition by the International Astronomical Union is a recognition of the quality of the measurements that can be taken from this laboratory, and that astronomers around the world can now know the existence of this laboratory, and request observations from the skies and take pictures of the sky with the highest quality.”

“This laboratory will be a very important addition for Moroccan researchers creating research topics that require data on astronomical bodies,” he added.

The new laboratory is the first Moroccan amateur astronomical observatory to be accredited by the International Astronomical Union (Al-Jazeera).

Discovering new asteroids

After 3 months of work, Astronomers has already been able to capture many images of the deep sky, some of which have been selected by astronomy photographers as the best images taken in the community. Laboratory staff submitted a report to the International Astronomical Union’s Center for Asteroids, which includes tracking data for 6 key asteroids in the asteroid belt and an asteroid close to Earth:

Six asteroids:

• Caspra 951
• Piazza 1000
• Tree 1660
• Jiglus 1741
• Tristan 1966
• Uenoiwakura 14981

Near-Earth Asteroid:

The new observatory team provided exclusive observation information about 6 asteroids in the asteroid belt and one asteroid near Earth (Al-Jazeera).

It is noteworthy that the six asteroids belong to the central part of the asteroids in our solar system, which is a belt located between the planets Mars and Jupiter, while the seventh asteroid – the object of the report – orbits very close to the earth without a threat to it.

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