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About the Observation Project
The Observation Project's goal is to encourage and facilitate people who'd like to collect and share data on ufo/uap phenomena using a combination of sensor systems. These sensor systems include cameras (both optical and multispectral), as well as field-based sensors (audio, magnetic, radio frequency, electrostatic, etc.). These can come in the form of inexpensive rigs used for temporary observation or advanced, permanent installations intended for long-term observation. We can combine the data collected by these sensors to help create a fuller understanding of the phenomenon. An informal network of observation stations can be leveraged to validate and corroborate sightings and it can be a fun way to engage with the phenomenon and to contribute through participation in a citizen science endeavor. While some technical skill is helpful, it is not required and there are lots of ways to participate, from working with other people to hosting an observation station on your rooftop or backyard. Below you'll find updates on my own observation station and when possible, those of others. Please use the Contact page if you have any questions or would like to participate.
Status Update 1: 02/13/2024
This is the first in a series of progress updates on my observation station. The idea is to create a portable platform for sky recording. The station currently consists of two cameras, one optical, and one infrared. The optical camera is a Gopro Hero8 with a maximum field of view of 94.4°x122.6° in SuperView setting. The infrared camera is a Topdon TC004 with a 52.5°x39.5° field of view. These are mounted to a standard photography tripod using an 11-inch flash bracket and ball mounts.
The Topdon camera is designed for in home use on nearby surfaces, so I wasn't sure that it would capture the sky in any detail, but a cursory test shows that it picks up the signature of a passing airliner as seen here:
Some considerations on the current iteration:
Power
The Gopro claims a battery life of up to 81 minutes. This is acceptable for short recordings, but isn't good enough for overnight. To get around this, I plan on purchasing a replacement battery door that accommodates an external USB power supply. The only foreseeable issue with the door is that it renders the camera no longer waterproof. This shouldn't be a big problem. If the weather is that poor, it's probably not a good opportunity for observation anyway. The Topdon camera claims a battery life of 12 hours, making well suited for overnight recording. Since it doesn't have an easily replaceable battery, I expect the battery performance to degrade over time. I'll need to test the camera to see if it can be powered directly via USB while operating.
Field of view
The fields of view of the two cameras are different, so they will not produce exact sister images. The FOV of the thermal camera is fixed, but I may try to adjust the Gopro settings to closer match the FOV of the thermal camera. On the other hand, the FOV of the Gopro can be made much wider than that of the Topdon, and at a higher screen resolution. This means that the Gopro footage can be cropped down to match the FOV of the thermal camera in post processing.
Next Steps
Testing of the camera system in day and night conditions.
Addition of battery passthrough door to power the Gopro for at least 12 hours
Addition of a second Gopro with a polarizing filter to capture magnetic field anomalies. (special thanks to redditor Dangerous-Finger9259 for the advice) For more information see Kevin Knuth's address to the SOL Foundation.
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