In the Spring of 1999, the ASKC took the plunge into the field of asteroid research. Many asteroids are discovered daily by professional observatories, but these newly discovered asteroids need to be followed closely so they are not lost. This is where the amateur astronomers of the ASKC come into the picture.

The ASKC, with many donations by its members, purchased a small building and placed it beside Powell Observatory. A 12” robotic telescope was loaned to the ASKC as the research instrument. The club then purchased a SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. Computers were donated to the cause and soon after, we had a asteroid follow-up program running at Powell Observatory. The building is called the AIC: Astro Imaging Center.

A year later the ASKC purchased a ST-9 CCD camera. The camera has been upgraded to a ST-9e and the ST-7 was sold.

The equipment is not only used for asteroid research though. Many ASKC members use the CCD camera and telescope to image galaxies and comets. A few members even have imaged over 100 Arp galaxies and have received their Astronomical League Arp Galaxy certificate using the equipment at the AIC.

The building, computers, CCD camera, and telescope are available to use by all the members of the ASKC. Just contact the AIC Coordinator for first time instruction. After that, you can go down to do your own imaging whenever you want.This is just another benefit of ASKC membership.