Astronomical Swann Cameras Installed In Western Australia.
Astronomical Swann Cameras Installed in Western Australia – WA has expanded support for the Global Meteor Network with 16 Swann CCTV cameras being installed in communities across the state to capture meteors crossing their field of view.
The CCTV network is being put together by Perth Observatory with funding from the government’s Inspiring WA program, community groups and amateur astronomers and community groups and the cameras will assist mapping the meteors circling the planet as part of a network that is 1000 cameras strong and growing.
“This is one of the biggest citizen science projects in the world,” Perth Observatory outreach officer Lexie Wallace said. “I think that there’s a great opportunity for people to feel that they’ve been involved in that discovery, to say, ‘My town, my community, has contributed to scientific research’.”
WA already hosts part of the Global Meteor Network’s equipment, with 26 of its 31 Australian cameras installed at academic facilities there.
“Western Australia is one of the best places in the world, not only to observe fainter meteors that come from meteor showers, but also meteorites dropping fireballs,” Denis Vida of GMN. “The weather is great and when a rock drops onto a bright orange desert floor it’s quite easy to find.”
Potential uses for the data range from assessing possible threats to Earth, tracking meteors that enter the atmosphere for analysis to learn about the early solar system. The information is also used by NASA to help protect satellites and astronauts in orbit.
The new cameras are expected to be installed and connected to the Global Meteor Network this month. You can find out more about GMN here or read more SEN news here.
“CCTV Cameras Join Meteor Search In Western Australia.”
