Results of joint project on linking optical-radio reference frames

Results of international co-operation between observatories from China, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine on refinement of linking optical and radio reference frames are discussed. About 300 fields around extragalactic radio sources in the selected fields of extragalactic radio sources from −40 to +70 degrees in declination were observed with CCD ground-based telescopes. The catalogue of optical positions of more than 200 ERS with average accuracy 30 mas in ICRF by using of secondary reference stars from the UCAC2 and USNO-B1.0 catalogues was obtained as a result of this cooperation. The intermediate internal estimation of link between optical and radio reference frames was shown the angle values near zero within an accuracy of about 6 mas by using of secondary reference stars from UCAC2. A comparison of presented results with those of other investigations was made

RESULTS OF PROCESSING OF ASTRONEGATIVES WITH COMMERCIAL SCANNER

Astrometric errors depending on the method of scanning with different spatial resolutions were studied  with commercial scanner such as   Epson Perfection V750 Pro. Accuracy, time of processing, volume of storage were tested using software package described in (Protsyuk, 2014). The best results of scanning were obtained with a resolution of 1200 – 1600 dpi. Astrometric errors depending on the method of scanning with different spatial resolutions were studied  with commercial scanner such as   Epson Perfection V750 Pro. Accuracy, time of processing, volume of storage were tested using software package described in (Protsyuk, 2014). The best results of scanning were obtained with a resolution of 1200 – 1600 dp

THE COMPILED CATALOGUE OF PHOTOELECTRIC UBVR STELLAR MAGNITUDES IN THE TYCHO2 SYSTEM

In order to calibrate the images of astronomical photographic plates from the archive of UkrVO was created the compiled catalogue of photoelectric UBVR stellar magnitudes. It is based on: the Kornilov catalogue of 13586 WBVR stellar magnitudes (Kornilov at al., 1991), the Mermilliod catalogue of 68540 UBV stellar magnitudes (Mermilliod, 1991) and the Andruk catalogue of 1141 UBVR stellar magnitudes (Andruk at al.,1995). All original coordinates have the different epoch and equinox. We performed the cross reference of stars from these three catalogues with the Tycho2, UCAC4 and XPM catalogues and created a new photometric catalogue on the epoch and equinox of J2000.0

SOFTWARE FOR PROCESSING OF DIGITIZED ASTRONEGATIVES FROM ARCHIVES AND DATABASES OF VIRTUAL OBSERVATORY

The paper discusses and illustrates the steps of  basic processing  of  digitized image of astro negatives. Software for  obtaining of a  rectangular coordinates and photometric values of objects on photographic plates was created in the environment LINUX / MIDAS / ROMAFOT. The program can automatically process the specified number of files in FITS format with sizes up  to 20000 x 20000 pixels.  Other  programs  were made in FORTRAN and PASCAL with the ability to work in an environment  of  LINUX  or WINDOWS. They were used for: identification of stars, separation and exclusion of diffraction satellites and double and triple exposures, elimination of image defects, reduction to the equatorial coordinates and magnitudes of a reference catalogsThe paper discusses and illustrates the steps of  basic processing  of  digitized image of astro negatives. Software for  obtaining of a  rectangular coordinates and photometric values of objects on photographic plates was created in the environment LINUX / MIDAS / ROMAFOT. The program can automatically process the specified number of files in FITS format with sizes up  to 20000 x 20000 pixels.  Other  programs  were made in FORTRAN and PASCAL with the ability to work in an environment  of  LINUX  or WINDOWS. They were used for: identification of stars, separation and exclusion of diffraction satellites and double and triple exposures, elimination of image defects, reduction to the equatorial coordinates and magnitudes of a reference catalog

RESEARCH OF THE LONG-TERM BEHAVIOUR OF THE PLEIADES BY USING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES FROM UKRVO DIGITAL ARCHIVE AND BALDONE OBSERVATORY

The Pleiades Star Cluster (M45) is one of the most studied star clusters in the galaxy. At the same time as part of the Pleiades are many long-period variable stars, including flashing that need further study. Recent work on the processing of photographic images of the Pleiades obtained at different observatory revealed a number of star clusters with large variations in coordinates, the reason you want to understand. Collection of UkrVO unified digital archive contains a number of plates with images of the stars of the Pleiades obtained on different instruments. Processing of this material allows to test out standard programs for digital astronomical images processing. Also we will add information about variable stars and will improve the coordinates and proper motions of cluster stars. Selected material covers the period 1909 – 1999 years. The plates have different margins, scale, number of stars on images and obtained limiting magnitude. Exactly this diverse set of options lets you to be sure of results

THE SCIENTIFIC USE OF THE UKRVO JOINT DIGITAL ARCHIVE: GRBs FIELDS, PLUTO, AND SATELLITES OF OUTER PLANETS

ABSTRACT. In the framework of UkrVO national project the new methods of plate digital image processing are developed. The photographic material of the UkrVO Joint Digital Archive (JDA  –  http://gua.db.ukr-vo.org/vo-mao/DB/archivespecial.php) is used for the solution of classic astrometric problem – positional and photometric determinations of objects registered on the plates. The results of tested methods show that the positional  rms errors are better than ±150 mas for both coordinates  and photometric ones are better than ±0.20m with the Tycho-2 catalogue as reference.   In the framework of UkrVO national project the new methods of plate digital image processing are developed. The photographic material of the UkrVO Joint Digital Archive (JDA  –  http://gua.db.ukr-vo.org/vo-mao/DB/archivespecial.php) is used for the solution of classic astrometric problem – positional and photometric determinations of objects registered on the plates. The results of tested methods show that the positional  rms errors are better than ±150 mas for both coordinates  and photometric ones are better than ±0.20m with the Tycho-2 catalogue as reference.

CATALOGUES OF THE FAINT OBJECTS IN THE AREAS WITH GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

The results of GRB observations are being published in the GCN Circulars in real-time. To study all the objects in the sky areas around the GRBs we identified them on the digitized MAO Double Wide angle Astrograph (DWA) plates (D/F=40/200) within a circle with the radius of dozens of arcminutes. We selected only GRBs with the positional accuracy between ±0.3" and ±7.5" and the range of magnitudes between 14m and 20m. We used MIDAS/ROMAFOT package to obtain the catalogues of the faint objects in small areas in the GRBs vicinity. For the plates of DWA telescope the positional rms errors are ± 0.20" for RA and DEC, the photometric errors are ± 0.20m . All positions were obtained in Tycho-2 system

COMPARISON OF ZERO ZONE CATALOGUES OF THE FON PROGRAM BASED ON THE KYIV AND KITAB OBSERVATIONS

The two new catalogues for the zero zone of the FON project were created after the processing of two different collections of digitized photographic plates. The photographic plates were received at the DAZ and DWA telescopes of the Kitab observatory of the Republic of Uzbekistan (KO UAS) and of the Main astronomical observatory in Kyiv (MAO NASU) in the number of 90 and 120 plates, respectively. The digitization of these photographic plates in the frame of the Ukrainian Virtual Observatory project was performed by means of the Epson Expression 10000XL scanner with the scanning resolution of 1200 dpi. The coordinates of stars and galaxies for the both catalogues are determined in the system of the Tycho2 catalogue. The stellar magnitudes of all objects are done in B-magnitudes of the photoelectric standard system. The difference between the calculated and the reference positions is equal σαδ = ±0.06–0.07". The internal accuracy of the both catalogues for all objects is σ αδ = ±0.20", σB = ±0.18m and σ αδ = ±0.27", σ B = ±0.17m, respectively. We present the comparison of these both catalogues with each other and with the Tycho2, UCAC4 as well as PPMX catalogues and discuss the results

UkrVO Joint Digitized Archive and Scientific Prospects

The UkrVO (Ukrainian Virtual Observatory) database consists of about 200 000 astronomical photographic plates and 500 000 CCD frames containing unique astronomical information for formulating important scientific tasks. This database is compiled from observations conducted in 1898-2011 at the observing sites of 8 Ukrainian observatories, with about 60 instruments. This paper deals with some principal scientific projects where the UkrVO databases are used, namely, the creation of the Joint Digitized Archive (JDA); compilation of new stellar catalogues; search for optical counterparts of gamma-ray bursts; spectroscopic study of solar flares and solar active formations; development of software for searches for new small bodies of the solar system