What is the Global Meteor Network?

Why monitor meteor showers?

The GMN’s primary mission is to ensure that no unique space events are missed, such as rare meteor shower outbursts that may endanger satellites and astronauts in space.

Meteoroid impact hazard modelling for spacecraft relies heavily on meteor shower observations to predict the future activity of meteor showers that may jeopardize space missions. An accurate understanding of the frequency and properties of meteoroids impacting spacecraft directly informs their design and operational strategies.

Why recover fresh meteorite falls?

Additionally, the timely recovery and analysis of meteorites, which are fragments of ancient asteroids that survive passage through Earth's atmosphere, offer invaluable insights into the early formation and evolution of the solar system. By studying the chemical and isotopic compositions of meteorites, researchers can reconstruct the processes that led to the formation of planets and other celestial bodies, thereby deepening our understanding of planetary science and cosmochemistry.

Outreach

The GMN Outreach Project aims to engage students worldwide in meteor science through a hands-on approach to astronomy, making it accessible and engaging for high school students as a STEAM initiative. Schools receive meteor camera kits, which can either be pre-built or assembled by students, allowing participants to capture and analyze meteor activity data, contributing to a global network of meteor observations. The project promotes interdisciplinary learning, combining science, technology, and engineering with creative exploration in the arts. Schools worldwide, from North America, Europe, South Africa, and New Zealand participate in this initiative, fostering connections between students, teachers, and scientists, and providing resources for learning at each school’s own pace.