Event background
In the spring of last year a luminous fireball crossed the Alaskan sky. Conventional observation tools—optical cameras and Earth‑observation satellites—provided only fragmented coverage, leaving the object's exact path uncertain.
Seismic network recordings
The meteoroid generated low‑frequency infrasound that traveled hundreds of kilometres. These acoustic pulses were captured by a dense array of earthquake and volcano monitoring stations originally deployed for geophysical research.
Analysis and trajectory reconstruction
Researchers examined the arrival time differences of the infrasound at each station to infer the fireball's position and speed. Triangulation allowed a backward trace of the trajectory, yielding precise estimates of entry and exit angles through the atmosphere.
Implications for meteor studies
The approach demonstrates that seismic networks can complement optical systems, especially when weather or technical issues impede visual recording. The derived data enhance models of meteoroid energy release and impact potential.
Future prospects
Integrating infrasound monitoring into the global fireball detection framework is planned to fill observational gaps and improve hazard assessment for future meteoroid events.