The Pan-STARRS Survey for Near Earth Objects
Granvik, M.; Jedicke, R.; Denneau, L.
University of Hawaii

The prototype telescope (PS1) for the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) is expected to begin its survey of the sky in March 2009. The PS1 telescope has a diameter of 1.8 meters, and is located at Haleakala Observatory on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It is the first of a new generation of large synoptic survey telescopes. Its camera has almost 1.4 billion pixels, providing a field-of-view of approximately 7 square degrees with pixels of 0.3 arc seconds. Despite the large number of pixels, the camera can be read out in less than 7 seconds with a read noise of about 5 electrons.

When fully operational, PS1 is expected to survey approximately 3,000 square degrees twice per night and three times per lunation in the opposition region. It will also survey smaller areas at lower solar elongations in the evenings and mornings - the "sweet spots" for discovery of Near Earth Objects (NEOs). A comprehensive software system for processing moving objects has been developed. Simulations suggest that PS1 will discover at least 600 NEOs larger than 300 meters diameter per year; this number will likely increase as a result of a focal plane refurbishment that will be completed in early 2009.

The Pan-STARRS telescope, camera system, NEO survey, and moving object processing system will be described in detail. If the survey commences on schedule, the first NEO discoveries from the PS1 telescope will also be presented.