On All-Sky Cameras and Interstellar Visitors at the Autumn Science Fairs

On Friday, September 26, the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy took part in the European Researchers’ Night – ReCoNnect 2025, in partnership with the Environmental Directorate – Urban Ecology Service within the Bucharest City Hall (PMB) and the National Museum of Natural History “Grigore Antipa.” The event is part of a large European project held simultaneously in 21 locations across Romania.

On this occasion, a team of researchers and educators from the Astronomical Institute, comprising Dr. Ruxandra Toma, Cristian Omăt, and Sorin Marin, presented all-sky cameras—video systems with a fisheye lens and a 180° field of view—that continuously monitor the night sky to capture meteors and fireballs. Signals recorded by multiple stations are correlated through triangulation, thereby deriving the scientific parameters of the objects.

When fireballs reach the ground, ballistic and weather models are used to estimate the strewn field, while the optical recording of the event helps establish the scientific provenance of the recovered fragments. In the laboratory, these are then analyzed by microscopy and mineralogical and chemical techniques to determine the meteorite type and other characteristics.

At the Astronomical Institute’s stand, a series of visual materials showed visitors the automated processing workflow and trajectory reconstructions, carried out in collaboration with other similar monitoring networks across Europe.

The next day, the Director of the Astronomical Institute, Dr. Mirel Bîrlan, and astronomer Cristian Omăt participated in a debate at the Bucharest Science Festival – 2025 , an event promoted by Radio Romania Cultural.

Published on: Sep 29, 2025