• Since the last update (March 26, 2004) we discovered 5 more NEOs. Detailed reports on these discoveries and summary of all results are posted on PIKA program web page.

• We made several hardware and software improvements to the 60-cm Cichocki telescope (now named after the funding benefactor Bruno Cichocki). By far the most important is the implementation of a new method of scanning along the great declination circles. Using the new method we were able to increase the sky coverage by a factor of 2, covering about 22 square degrees per hour using a strategy of three exposures per field of view. The results were more than satisfying: in less than one year of using this mode we found 4 NEOs, in spite of exceptional sky coverage by the professional survey programs, which operate under better skies and with wider fields of view and are therefore likely to find new NEOs before us. More about this scanning technique may be read at on the 60-cm Cichocki telescope page. Very few existing modern telescopes of this class are able to use this advanced technique.

• In order to support remote observations with the 60-cm telescope, we set up a custom made all-sky camera which continuously images the night sky from dusk to dawn. This allows observer to monitor the sky conditions on a remote location in real time. As a by-product, the camera records various transient phenomena like meteors, fireballs, auroras, aircraft and satellite passes. It is in regular operation since August 2004. A movie is automatically composed after each observing session and posted on a publically accessible all-sky camera archive. A list of interesting events is posted on a separate page. Details about the all-sky camera project, movie archive and list of events.

  A very interesting all-sky movie, obtained on the night of 2005 Feb. 6/7 shows a bright fireball at -10m that passed over Slovenia. It also shows the 60-cm telescope scanning the sky along the great declination circles, at the time when the NEO asteroid 2005 CC37 was found by S. Maticic, operating the telescope remotely over the internet. Some visitors used the 36-cm telescope that night and slightly interfered the scene with pocket torches. See the movie

• We developed dedicated hardware and software solutions that enable us real time remote control of the observatory and the telescope. All observations are performed in an unattended robotic mode. Custom made internet interface to a observation scheduler was recently introduced for more effective and user friendly telescope targeting. Using the weather station and all-sky camera, the overnight weather situation is continuously monitored by a watchdog program. In case of sudden cloud cover, the telescope is automatically parked and the observatory roof closed.

• During the past year we continued with our PIKA Asteroid and Comet Search Program with a 0.60-m f/3.3 Cichocki Sky Survey Telescope, in part funded by the Shoemaker NEO grant 2000. No futher NEOs were discovered.

• However, a supernova 2006at (mag. 17.1) was discovered by B. Dintinjana and H. Mikuz, using our new software for automatic discovery of static objects. Supernova was found on four consecutive unfiltered CCD images, taken around Mar. 8.055 UT. Discovery was officially published in CBET No. 424 and IAUC 8687. More information in observatory news.

• Detection of optical counterpart of GRB060904B (Sept. 4, 2006). Full results are published in GCN 5511 Circular.

• Discovery of a New Variable Star in Taurus (Oct. 26, 2006). The discovery was announced in CBET 701.

  Detailed reports are available in Observatory News.

Main discoveries, GRB detections and hardware upgrades in 2007:

• Discovery of NEO Asteroid 2007 DB83 (Feb. 24, 2007). Discovery was published in MPEC 2007-D78.

• Detection of optical counterpart of GRB070411 (Apr. 11, 2007). Full results are published in GCN 6270 Circular. Detailed B and R photometry, confirming the object rebrightening was performed and published in GCN 6288 Circular.

• Detection of optical counterpart of GRB071112C (Nov. 12, 2007). Complete results are published in GCN 7078 Circular.

• Discovery of 3 supernovae (2007bk, 2007kg and 2007od). Announced in CBAT Electronic Telegram No. 933, 1086 and 116.

• Discovery of a new variable star in Perseus (Sep. 16, 2007). Discovery was announced in IAUC 8870.

• A new 4000 x 4000 pixel CCD camera was put in operation in October 2007. With more than double chip size as compared to previous CCD, it will further enhance the probablity for discoveries.

  Detailed reports are available in Observatory News.

• Discovery of comet C/2008 Q1 (Maticic) at Crni Vrh Observatory (Aug. 20, 2008) On images taken by S. Maticic in the course of the Crni Vrh Asteroid and Comet Search program PIKA, on August 18, 2008 an object with unusual motion was automatically detected. A new comet (first comet discovery from Crni Vrh Observatory) was detected on images taken between 2008 Aug. 18.81364UT and 18.84247UT with a 0.60-m f/3.3 Cichocki Sky Survey Telescope.

• 2008 QT3 First discovery of a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid at Crni Vrh Observatory (Aug. 24, 2008) On the night of 24 August 2008 an object with unusual motion was automatically detected on the images taken by Jure Skvarc in the scope of Comet and Asteroid Search Program at Crni Vrh Observatory.

• Discovery of Supernova 2008fi at Crni Vrh Observatory (Sept. 4, 2008) On images taken by Jure Zakrajsek in the course of the Crni Vrh Asteroid and Comet Search program PIKA, an apparent supernova (mag 16.7) was detected using software for automatic discovery of static objects. Supernova was found on four consecutive unfiltered CCD images taken around 2008 Aug. 26.99 UT with a 0.60-m f/3.3 Cichocki Sky Survey Robotic Telescope.

• On the night of 4-5 October 2008 an object with unusual motion was automatically detected on the images taken by Herman Mikuz in the scope of Comet and Asteroid Search Program PIKA at Crni Vrh Observatory.

• Follow-up of NEO Asteroid 2008 TC3 few hours before the impact (October 7, 2008)

• Discovery of Supernova 2008gk at Crni Vrh Observatory (Oct. 20, 2008) On images taken by Stanislav Maticic in the course of the Crni Vrh Asteroid and Comet Search program PIKA, an apparent supernova (mag 18.2) was detected using software for automatic discovery of static objects.

• Detection of optical counterpart of GRB081126 at Crni Vrh Observatory (Nov. 26, 2008) We observed optical counterpart of Gamma Ray Burst GRB081126 (Swift trigger 335647).

• ACIT robotic telescope software upgrade with automatic scheduler for imaging Milky Way regions in scope of Nova discovery.

  Detailed reports are available in Observatory News.