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Story: Astronomy – overview

Radar at Birdlings Flat, Canterbury

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Radar at Birdlings Flat, Canterbury

This photo shows part of the University of Canterbury's radar system for detecting meteor dust trails. By looking at the orbit and speed of incoming dust particles, astronomers can determine whether the dust has originated from our solar system or has come from further out in space.

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University of Canterbury

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Astronomy – overview – Education, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8001/radar-at-birdlings-flat-canterbury (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.