Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Astronomy, no. 72, p. 67-73 (2025)
CONCEPT OF A MODERN AUTONOMOUS METEOR STATION AT THE ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY OF TARAS SHEVCHENKO NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF KYIV BASED ON THE RMS PLATFORM AND AI CAPABILITIES
Alona MOZGOVA, PhD (Phys. & Math.)
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8490-4327
e-mail: alenamozgova@knu.ua
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Alexander GOLUBAEV, PhD (Phys. & Math.)
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3265-5285
e-mail: alexandr_sky1@ukr.net
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Abstract
Background. Efficient acquisition and processing of meteor observation data, followed by the precise determination of their kinematic and physical characteristics, requires continuous improvement of both optical instruments and information processing methods. This work presents the initial results of the modernization of the video-spectral meteor complex (VSC) at the Astronomical Observatory of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (AO TSNUK).
Methods. The modernization of the VSC is being carried out through the integration of the RMS (Raspberry Pi Meteor Station) platform – open-source software developed within the framework of the Global Meteor Network (GMN) initiative. RMS is intended for the automatic detection of meteors, analysis of their trajectories, and uploading of results to GMN cloud servers. Two stations are planned to be set up: one for positional observations and another for recording meteor spectra using a diffraction grating (500–600 grooves/mm). In the future, the integration of open technologies, modern equipment, and artificial intelligence components is planned to address specific tasks in meteor astronomy – in particular, the development of AI-based software for modeling meteoroid trajectories with the goal of predicting meteorite fall locations.
Results. The observation complex has been assembled and configured under laboratory conditions. Test observations of meteors were carried out during the nights of October 25–29, 2025. The correctness of astrometric calibration, frame rate stability (25.000 ± 0.02 FPS), and automatic meteor event detection were verified. Data on the kinematic parameters of meteor bodies observed in the Earth’s atmosphere were obtained, and the elements of their orbits were calculated.
Conclusions. The obtained results confirm both the technical feasibility and the scientific potential of the proposed approach. The integration of RMS into the video-spectral complex enables the creation of an autonomous, expandable, and globally integrated meteor observation system. Further work will include the full deployment of stations at the observation sites of the Astronomical Observatory of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the expansion of the Ukrainian Meteor Observation Network (UMON).
Key words
Meteors, meteoroids, optical instruments, digital video surveillance systems, Ukrainian Meteor Observation Network (UMON), Global Meteor Network (GMN), Raspberry Pi Meteor Station (RMS).
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