Klet' Observatory NEO follow-up programme

The number of known Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) has rapidly increased in rece nt years. The discovery effort must be succeeded by follow-up observations to ensure astrometric data for determining orbits of newly discovered NEOs. The importance of follow-up astrometry of NEOs increases with the rising n umber of discovered NEOs. The field of follow-up astrometry includes the co nfirmatory observations, early and later follow-up observations, as well as the recoveries of NEOs in the second convenient opposition. We discuss her e methods, techniques and results of the targeted NEO follow-up astrometry programme at the Klet' Observatory using the 0.57 m telescope, equipped wit h a CCD camera since 1994. We point out that follow-up astrometry of NEOs i s the common endeavour of the whole international community; this is also b ased on the continued improvement of communication tools. In the near futur e we are going to extend this programme to fainter objects and very fast-mo ving objects using a 1.02 m reflector at Klet'. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.