Asiago-DLR Asteroid Survey, Astronomical observatory in Asiago, Italy
The Asiago-DLR Asteroid Survey is a research observatory at Cima Ekar equipped with telescopes designed to monitor asteroids and near-Earth objects. The facility uses advanced instruments to collect data about small planets and their movements through space.
The observatory was founded in 2001 by Padua University and the German Aerospace Center to systematically study asteroids and their trajectories. This partnership marked the beginning of coordinated international research at this location.
This facility represents an Italian-German research partnership focused on asteroid studies, where scientists work together to advance knowledge about near-Earth objects. The collaboration shapes how the observatory operates and what research gets prioritized.
The facility sits at 1,045 meters elevation on Mount Ekar, roughly 3.8 kilometers southeast of the main Asiago Observatory complex. As an active research station, access is limited and typically requires advance arrangements with the staff.
Between 2001 and 2002, this observatory identified more than 200 new minor planets, demonstrating its rapid effectiveness in surveying the sky. This intensive early productivity quickly established the facility as a major center for asteroid discoveries.
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