We propose to observe trojan asteroids, irregular satellites, centaurs and other transneptunian objects (tnos) at the smallest solar phase angles to measure their opposition effect. The opposition…

The University of Virginia was awarded a $372,747 research grant by a civilian federal agency's Shared Services Center to observe and analyze Trojan asteroids, irregular satellites, Centaurs, and other transneptunian objects at minimal solar phase angles. The research objectives focus on measuring the opposition effect—a non-linear increase in brightness observed when celestial objects are positioned at opposition relative to Earth and the Sun. This contract, designated 20-SSO20_2-0048 and titled "Outer Solar System Objects at Opposition," represents a fundamental astronomy research initiative with no set-aside designation, awarded through open competition on March 1, 2021. Work will be performed in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a completion deadline of February 28, 2027.

The University of Virginia, a prominent public research institution and experienced federal contractor, brings substantial capabilities in advanced scientific investigation to support this astronomical research mission. The university has demonstrated extensive experience managing federally-funded research across multiple scientific domains, including prior work with NASA on materials science investigations and numerous grants from the National Science Foundation supporting cosmological and astrophysical research. This grant award aligns with the university's established track record as a principal investigator institution capable of conducting sophisticated observational astronomy and data analysis projects supporting civilian agency research objectives in outer solar system characterization.

We propose to observe trojan asteroids, irregular satellites, centaurs and other transneptunian objects (tnos) at the smallest solar phase angles to measure their opposition effect. The opposition effect, or surge, is the non-linear increase in