Results and information on projects that have been conducted at Bathurst Observatory Research Facility. The information below details only some of the projects that we are working on at the observatory. You are welcome to come and view the research facility's various space, mineral fossil and meteorite displays via prior bookings.
We have an interest in meteorites and use them to help us understand how the solar system may have formed. We also study meteorites to help us learn more about the make up of the asteroids and meteors that we study at the observatory. We have a large number of meteorites on display, and if you think you have found a meteorite, we can help with meteorite identification. You can also report any very bright meteors (shooting stars) or meteorite falls to us as well. We pass on this information to the relevant researches, or use this information for our research papers.
We are always happy to answer any questions you may on meteorites, such as meteorite types, places to buy them from, and often present talks to groups on meteorites and asteroids. So if you want to buy a meteorite, we can put you in touch with those who sell them. We can also offer unbiased appraisals, valuations and recommendations. We do occasionally have some meteorites for sale as well.
We have currently written a paper on preservation of meteorites, that has been published in an international magazine. It helps to overcome rusting of meteorites.
We have also now completed a booklet "How do I know its a meteorite?", designed for those new to collecting meteorites. Email us for details.
We can also offer meteorite services, such as preparation, cutting, polishing and making meteorite thin sections for microscope work.
Meteorites and meteor studies are our main area of work.
Our meteor detector is fully operational. It has already detected many meteors burning up in Earth's atmosphere. We now have a page dedicated to the radio astronomy undertaken at the observatory. On it we will detail more about how the detector works and results from it. Also we will detail some other projects that we are working on. The meteor detector will soon be operational 24 hours a day and is already producing some real science.
We have recently completed a number of papers on results of the meteor counter. These include results on a number of meteor showers including, the Leonids, Geminids, Lyrids, and the Eta Aquarids, among others.
At present this work is being done as required until we can afford to buy a new USB model of the winradio card.
We do intend to monitor the 2008 Eta Aquarids this year, and also are investigating new transmitter frequencies we can use once the analogue TV transmitters are switched off in the future.
Comet research is also one of the main projects undertaken at the observatory.
Comet McNaught on the 20th January 2007 from the Bathurst Observatory Research Facility
Data about comets can be obtained by contacting the observatory.
We have also been observing a number of asteroid occultations. This when an asteroid eclipses a star and temporarily causes the star to dim. By watching and timing these events, we can help build up a picture of the asteroid's size and shape.
A number of stars change brightness over a period of time. By monitoring them over a long period, we can understand the nature of these stars. At Bathurst Observatory, we have a few selected stars that are best studied from the Southern Hemisphere that we are monitoring. Our results are submitted to the AAVSO.
We also hope to undertake some other research work this year. We have another project in mind that is currently in the planning stages. It will involve searching for nearby asteroids and comets.
For further information and copies of the data obtained from any of the above studies, please contact us. We will be most happy to see our results put to use.
The Aurora viewed from Bathurst Observatory on 29th October 2003
The observatory, now relocated, with star trails lit by the moon.
