NEOfixer aims to help optimize the discovery and follow-up of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) by providing observers with targeting recommendations, specific to their site. A follow-up station might have hundreds or thousands of NEOs and NEO candidates to choose from on any given night, however the value of observing one object vs. another can vary greatly. NEOfixer attempts to elevate the highest priority objects for observation, guided exclusively by planetary defense concerns, while spreading the follow-up load across the community.
Community follow-up capacity is finite, and some objects have time-critical observation windows which if missed, may result in a lost discovery or recovery opportunity. On the other hand, some bright objects are over-observed, with the majority of observations contributing very little to actual orbital improvement. One of NEOfixer’s goals is to ensure that the community’s effort is strategically placed to capture high priority objects during critical periods, and to shift unnecessary observation effort to objects that will benefit but might otherwise be overlooked.