Research Note

Observing programs of the Kyiv meridian axial circle equipped with a CCD micrometer

¹ Astronomical Observatory of the Kyiv National University, Observatornaya 3, 04053 Kyiv-53, Ukraine e-mail: babenko@observ.univ.kiev.ua
² Main Astronomical Observatory, National Academy of Sciencies of Ukraine, Zabolotnogo 27, 03680 Kyiv-127, Ukraine
³ Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory, Observatornaya 1, 54030 Mykolaev-MSP, Ukraine e-mail: al_kov@mao.nikolaev.ua

Corresponding author: P. Lazorenko, gallaz@mao.kiev.ua

Received: 11 December 2001
Accepted: 8 February 2002

Abstract

The present status of the Kyiv meridian axial circle after its refurbishment is described. The mounting of a new micrometer with the front-illuminated CCD 10401160 allows to observe stars up to mag. For the stars of 11–14 mag, the internal positional accuracy of a single observation is 0.05–0.10'', and stellar V values are determined with an accuracy of 0.03–0.06 mag. The project of observations of star fields in the direction of 209 extragalactic radio-sources in declination zone 0+30 is now in progress. The catalogue of positions, magnitudes and proper motions of secondary reference stars in regions with ICRF sources is expected to be compiled by 2003. Another project under way is a long-term astrometric survey of the equatorial zone to extend the Hipparcos-Tycho frame to fainter stars, and to measure their magnitudes and colours.