StAnD Asteroid Search Campaigns
The StAnD Asteroid Search Campaigns are organised in collaboration with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC). IASC is a citizen science programme that provides high-quality astronomical data to citizen scientists around the world, enabling them to make original astronomical discoveries and participate in hands-on astronomy.
Although the project officially ended in August 2026, we have decided to continue promoting asteroid campaigns throughout the coming school years. This will help keep the importance of planetary defence firmly in the spotlight, while engaging students and teachers in identifying and monitoring potential threats posed by asteroids and comets on collision courses with Earth.
These are the dates for the 2026 – 2027 StAnD campaigns:
- 06 – 30 Oct 2026
- 05 Nov – 02 Dec 2026
- 04 – 28 Jan 2027
- 01 – 25 Feb 2027
- 02 – 26 Mar
- 01 – 26 Apr 2027
- 30 Apr – 25 May 2027
If you would like to take part in the campaigns, please email us at: iasc@nuclio.org.
What will participants do?
A ‘campaign’ is a month-long event in which teams search for asteroids. Participants will use software to analyse image sets acquired with the Pan-STARRS telescopes in Hawaii and search for new asteroids, potentially making important observations of near-Earth objects.
Participants will learn to distinguish between true and false signatures of moving objects, as not all objects that appear to move in the image sets are asteroids. For an object to be accepted as a true signature, it must have three characteristics:
- It moves along a straight line
- It moves at a constant speed
- The magnitude (brightness) is reasonably constant
Credits: IASC
Once a moving object has been detected, participants will measure the object’s position and brightness in each of the four images in the image set and submit a report on the IASC StAnD campaign page.
Therefore, it’s important to understand how to use the software (Astrometrica), identify true and false signatures (i.e. not all moving things are asteroids) and prepare a clean and accurate report.
The StAnD team will provide teachers online training and support to successfully carry out Asteroid Search Campaigns in schools throughout Europe!
First Steps
- Download and install Astrometrica. Note that this software works only on Windows operating systems.
- Download the practice images sets.
- Read the supporting documentation: Astrometrica Installation Instructions, Instructions for Using Astrometrica, Asteroid Signature Guide, and Reporting Guidelines. These documents provide important information on how to use Astrometrica, identify true and false signatures and prepare the reports.
- Download the quickstart guide.
Need more help?
Here are some videos on YouTube that will help you in entering the exciting world of asteroid search:
📹 How To Install Astrometrica for an IASC Campaign
📹 How To Submit An MPC Report on the IASC Website
Astrometrica Tutorials
StAnD team is ready to support your school in this exciting campaign.
➤ Don’t hesitate to contact us via iasc@nuclio.org or through your local national StAnD coordinator.