Scientists have managed to lower the price of ultraviolet cameras to predict volcanic eruptions. article about it published Frontiers in Earth Sciences.
The main processes of the volcano take place below the surface, and therefore it is very difficult to observe them. However, the state of the volcano can be judged by the gases released from it, including eruptions, and can be predicted by analyzing the sulfur dioxide (SO) release.2). Since the early 2000s, scientists have come up with the idea of monitoring sulfur dioxide concentrations with ultraviolet cameras, but this required the constant presence of a scientist.
Now, Thomas Wilkes at the University of Sheffield and his colleagues have developed a stand-alone camera for continuous monitoring of volcanoes. “Our device uses a sensor similar to that of a smartphone camera. It has been modified to make it ultraviolet sensitive, allowing SO detection2‘ says the scientist.
Compared to previous models, the camera is relatively inexpensive, about $5,000 each, and consumes less power. This was achieved using a 3D printer to render most of the details. The system has low power consumption (approximately 3.75 watts) and is solar powered even in moderately cloudy weather.
However, the cameras perform best under clear blue skies when a cloud of volcanic gas moves at a 90-degree angle to the camera’s line of sight. Currently, two such cameras are installed in experimental mode on the Lascar volcano in Chile.
Earlier astronomers still radio waves produced by the exoplanet’s magnetic field.