METEOR TRACKING STATION

by H.C.H. Society

Entry T96 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

The Meteor Tracking Station - the small white
building to the right, 1963

Taken in part from the Hooker County
Tribune 1963.

A Meteor Tracking station set up at the
Dale and Bessie Bradley's property was one
of a network of 16 stations to photograph
bright meteors, established in 7 midwestern
states by Smithsonian Astrophysical Obser-
vatory. This was called `Prairie Network'

Each station, equipped with four automa-
tic cameras and each was located about 150
miles from neighboring stations.

Photographs were taken each clear night
from dusk to dawn. Only bright meteors
would be recorded on film.

The camera's f 6.3 lenses were wide angles,
covering an 80 degree field. Bessie Bradley
was in charge of the Mullen Station, taking
care of the films, records, etc. She also
explained the station and showed pictures
that the cameras had taken, to school groups,
scout groups and anyone that was interested.