NASA Cameras Track Meteor Showers From Lodi Vineyard
LODI (CBS13) -- Cameras set up at a Lodi-area vineyard are tracking the night sky. The cameras are placed in wine country because of clear skies and one local winery owner's personal connection.
"You can see the cameras right there," said Heritage Oak Winery owner Tom Hoffman.
More than a dozen high tech cameras are strategically placed to survey the sky.
"What they are looking for are meteor showers," said.
It's all part of a NASA-funded project called "Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance" (CAMS).
It's a science experiment that Hoffman never imagined he'd be a part of. But when an astronomer pal asked to borrow a small chunk of his San Joaquin County winery to set up the contraption, he didn't think twice before answering yes.
"I thought, 'yeah, I'm willing to help. Do you want to stick all of your fancy equipment out in the dust? Cuz look at it!'" said Hoffman. "I provide a little bit of electricity and save the world."
Every night the screen pulls open.
"These guys built this thing. It has a garage door opener. They are pretty clever," said Hoffman.
The cameras capture video of the night sky in search of meteors to validate minor showers.
"With these three locations they are able to pinpoint the location of the meteor shower, and through their mathematics, predict when the comet passed," said Hoffman. "What they are looking for is comets that could potentially strike the earth,"
Their recordings are stored in row of computers. Astronomers collect the data every few weeks and use it for research.
This is one of three recording systems. The other two are located in the bay area.
Astronomers originally placed the Lodi cameras in the south bay, but it was too foggy there. The cameras will be up in the Lodi location for several weeks.
