Faculty of Mathematics, Physics
and Informatics
Comenius University Bratislava

Slovak video meteor network


The Slovak video meteor network currently consists of two installed semi-autonomous, remotely controlled systems based at the AGO Modra observatory and the Arboretum Mlyňany. Third station is ready for use and up-to-date has been used as a mobile third station during the Perseid maximum watch in 2010. The hearth of the station is composed of Canon Fish-eye 2.4/15mm lens, 12” Mullard image intensifier, 1.9/16mm Meopta display lens, USB digital video camera DMK Imaging Source (1280x960px) with the 15 FPS. The former system used WATEC 120N analog camera with lower resolution (720x540px) but higher frame rate (30 FPS). Stellar limiting magnitude is about +5.5, limiting magnitude of meteors is +3.5. The body of the system is kept in the plastic case with the openable cap of the objective lens. The camera lens, objective lens and the case are heated to avoid moisture condensation in the outdoor conditions. On the top there is a custom made rain sensor – in case of high moisture or direct rainfall onto the sensor, the outer top cap of the metal case will close automatically. The heating, control of the camera and intensifier components, rain sensor and the communication with the computer is controlled by the custom made integrated circuit with the processor, electronics and wiring. The system communicates with the computer with the detection software – UFOCapture (SonotaCo). A simple commercial but reliable personal computer with large data storage capability is sufficient. Further data reduction and analysis is processed by UFOAnalyser and UFOOrbit software package during the offline mode. UFOCapture is set to detect any fast moving bright events on the sky, except of flight traffic, iridium flares or satellites. In addition to meteors and bolides, it is able to detect rare high atmospheric lighting – transient luminous events – sprites. The system stores uncompressed videos and composite images only. The operation and manipulation with the system is simple – using the high speed internet, the computer and the video system might be turn on or off remotely. From time to time, depending on PC hard disk space, the there is a need to download data and clear HDD space for further data storage. This system is called AMOS and its patent is pending. In 2013 it has been awarded by gold medal at INVENTO expo in Prague.

Currently, after few years of operation and detection of high quality orbits, we are seeking for cooperation with the individual and institutions to extend our network throughout the Central and Eastern Europe. Annually we organize a workshop about meteor video observation and detection at AGO observatory. If interested, please contact the
project PI Juraj Tóth.

 

Inside view of the video meteor station, during its tests at the AGO Modra.

 

Plastic case of the video meteor station with the opened cap. The fish-eye lens is visible on the top.

 

 
 Theoretical map of the two stations coverage if the meteor is burning in the 100 km altitude. Yellow color – Arborétum, green color – AGO Modra.

 

Geographic positions of the AGO Modra and Arborétum Mlyňany stations.

 


Map displaying the third permanent station installed at the Kysucke Nove Mesto public observatory and fourth station in Važec.

 

 
Installed video meteor station at the Arboretum Mlyňany.

 

All-sky video system during the installation at the Arborétum Mlyňany.

 


All-sky image with the edge-on image intensifier setting. Timelapse video of testing run is to download HERE

Výsledky


Number of single station meteors detected at AGO Modra in 2007 and 2008.
 

Double station Lyrids orbits detected from AGO Modra and Arborétum Mlyňany stations.

 

Sprite – transient luminous event – a rare high-atmospheric discharge, in the upper right part of the image, above the horizon, detected by AGO Modra TV meteor system.


 

Publications

1.        Ondrášková, A., Ševčík, S., Kostecký, P., Tóth, J., Kysel, R.: 2010, On the relation between the red sprites and the transients in the ELF band, /Contributions to Geophysics and Geodesy/ Vol. 40/2, 2010 (149–157)
2.        Zigo, P., Tóth, J., Kalmančok, D., Világi, J. a Kornoš, L.: 2009, Celooblohová TV komora v Arboréte SAV, Meteorické správy 30, 26 - 31
3.        Tóth, J., Kornoš, L.: 2008, Leonidy 10 rokov po ..., Meteorické správy 29, 81-86
4.        Gajdoš, Š., Tóth, J., Kornoš, L.: 2008, Septembrové Perzeidy 2008, Meteorické správy 29, 44-50
5.        Tóth J., Kornoš L., Gajdoš, Š., Kalmančok D., Zigo P., Világi J., Hajduková, M. Jr.: 2008, TV Meteor Observations from Modra, Earth Moon and Planets, 102, 257-261
6.        Tóth, J., Kornoš, L., Gajdoš, Š., Kalmančok, D., Zigo, P., Világi, J., Galád, A., Vereš, P.: 2007, Celooblohové TV pozorovania meteorov z AGO UK Modra, Meteorické správy 28, 36-42
7.        Tóth, J.: 2007, Malé telesá slnečnej sústavy vo veľmi blízkom okolí Zeme (Pozorovanie meteorického roja Geminíd a nové TV celooblohové pozorovania),  Zborník príspevkov štipendistov z projektu JDP 3 BA 2005/1-043, CPP FMFI UK, Bratislava, 72-76
8.        Tóth, J., Kornoš, L., Gajdoš, Š., Kalmančok, D., Zigo, P., Világi, J., Galád, A.: 2007, All-sky TV meteor system in Modra, Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference. - Bareges 2007: International Meteor Organization
9.        Zigo, P., Gajdoš, Š. a Tóth, J.: 2006, In: Proccedings of the IMC, Oostmalle, eds. Bastiaens, L., Verbert, J., Wislez, J.-M. and Verbeeck, C., International Meteor Organization, 37.
10.     Tóth, J,Kornoš, .L.,: 2006, Single and double station meteor observations setups in Modra, Slovakia, In: Proccedings Meteor Orbit Determination Workshop, Roden, The Netherlands, September 11-13, 2006, 45-51.
11.    Tóth, J., Gajdoš, Š., Kornoš, L.: 2006, TV Geminidy 2006 z AGO UK v Modre, Meteorické správy 27, 110-115.