NATIONAL OBSERVATORY OF ATHENS The European Space Agency (ESA) has released a new video about NELIOTA-III, the third phase of our Institute’s lunar monitoring program, which is funded by ESA.
NELIOTA-III makes use of the 1.2-m telescope of the Kryoneri Observatory to detect and record in real time the flashes produced by impacts of small meteoroids on the Moon. These observations provide important data on the flux, size distribution, and physical properties of meteoroids impacting the Earth–Moon system, making a substantial contribution to international efforts in planetary defense.
The project is implemented by our team: researchers Dr. Alexios Liakos and Dr. Alkistis Bonanos, Dr. Thanasis Marousis (IT Manager), postdoctoral researcher Dimitris Athanasopoulos, and software engineer Mr. Kosmas Fritzalas.
From the first validated flash of the new observing campaign to targeted observations during lunar eclipses, NELIOTA-III strengthens Europe’s leading role in monitoring near-Earth objects and in developing an open database for the international scientific community.
We invite you to watch ESA’s new video for a concise presentation of the project and its scientific significance.