Current status of Polish Fireball Network. (1st September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiśniewski, M.; Żołądek, P.; Olech, A.; Tyminski, Z.; Maciejewski, M.; Fietkiewicz, K.; Rudawska, R.; Gozdalski, M.; Gawroński, M.P.; Suchodolski, T.; Myszkiewicz, M.; Stolarz, M.; Polakowski, K.
• Is Part Of: Planetary and space science. Volume 143(2017)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2017-09-01
• Subjects: Meteor -- Meteorite -- Meteoroid streams -- Meteor showers -- Orbits; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Atmosphere, Upper -- Periodicals; Sciences spatiales -- Périodiques; Haute atmosphère -- Périodiques; 523
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2017.03.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0633

Abstract

Abstract: The Polish Fireball Network (PFN) is a project to monitor regularly the sky over Poland in order to detect bright fireballs. In 2016 the PFN consisted of 36 continuously active stations with 57 sensitive analogue video cameras and 7 high resolution digital cameras. In our observations we also use spectroscopic and radio techniques. A PyFN software package for trajectory and orbit determination was developed. The PFN project is an example of successful participation of amateur astronomers who can provide valuable scientific data. The network is coordinated by astronomers from Copernicus Astronomical Centre in Warsaw, Poland. In 2011–2015 the PFN cameras recorded 214, 936 meteor events. Using the PFN data and the UFOOrbit software 34, 609 trajectories and orbits were calculated. In the following years we are planning intensive modernization of the PFN network including installation of dozens of new digital cameras.