Geometry and Topology

In collaboration with NASA, we mounted an observation campaign for the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft Earth Gravity Assist manoeuvre over Australia on the night of Sept 22 (and into the wee hours of Sept 23).

Our team were stationed across Australia and New Zealand in strategic locations to optimise viewing angles of OSIRIS-REx, creating a 3D triangulated track above Australia, and demonstrating the capabilities of the Desert Fireball Network system.

The result? Our cameras imaged the 2.5m spacecraft from a distance of 60,000km!

The Desert Fireball Network has three separate goals for tracking the spacecraft: providing a baseline so NASA can compare its telemetry from the spacecraft with the team’s ground observations, testing the team’s equipment and orbital analysis calculations, and engaging Australian astronomers and the broader community.

 

The DFN and our partners in this OREx Observation adventure are spread right across Australia. This map is just an approximate of where we may be heading – who knows where the best viewing conditions will be on the night!

 

If you are keen to take part, head out of town to make the most of dark skies and a clear night. Visit www.heavens-above.com/OsirisFlyby and enter your location to find out when and where to point your lens to capture the spacecraft flyby!