Purpose of APAON

Background

• Asteroid collision to the Earth ~it causes a catastrophic disaster.~ is a very important issue to be solved
  • 15 Feb 2013: Meteorite in Russia (Cheryabinsk)
  • 30 June 1908: Tsunguska event
  • about 66 million years ago : Mass extinction
• International effort endorsed by the COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space ) in the United Nations.
  • IAWN (International Asteroid Warning Network)
  • SMPAG (Space Mission Planning Advisory Group)

Purpose

• To enhance observations for asteroids, especially NEOs (Near Earth Objects)
  in Asia-Pacific region, which is important area in NEO follow-up.
• To discover, follow-up, and study NEOs which have the potentials to collide with the Earth.
• To contribute to NEO problem (“Spaceguard”) in the world.