Those interested in applying for the The Planetary Society’s next round of Shoemaker Near Earth Object (NEO) grants have only three more weeks to do so.

Those amateur or professional astronomers interested in studying Near Earth Objects can apply for the grant by filling out an application form and sending it to The Planetary Society by March 31, 2002.

The application form can by found here:

http://www.planetary.org/html/neo/SocietyProjects/ShoemakerGrant/NEOGrantForm.html

The Shoemaker NEO grant program was established by the Society in 1997, in an effort to advance the study of Near Earth Objects. Grant recipients in the past have been both individuals and groups, amateur and professional astronomers, all interested in studying asteroids and comets in Earth’s vicinity.

For this round of grants, the Society’s international advisory group reviewing the proposals will be considering three different categories: Observation Programs, NEO Research Programs, and International Collaboration in NEO Observations.

With several asteroid detection programs in place at major observatories around the country, there has been a dramatic increase in asteroid detection within the last year, creating a long list of objects in need of follow-up observations. As a result, special consideration will be given to observers interested in conducting follow-up NEO observations, especially those capable of detecting objects fainter than magnitude V= 19.5 or so.

* For more information about the Shoemaker NEO Grant Program

http://www.planetary.org/html/neo/SocietyProjects/ShoemakerGrant/NEOGrantindex.html

* For NEO Grant Guidelines

http://www.planetary.org/html/neo/SocietyProjects/ShoemakerGrant/NEOGrantGuidelines.html

* For the application form

http://www.planetary.org/html/neo/SocietyProjects/ShoemakerGrant/NEOGrantForm.html