Hungary could lead the way in detecting meteors threatening Earth

Having been granted almost 1 billion forints from the GINOP Program, the Hungarian research network is expected to have a pioneering role in exploring cosmic effects and risks. The new camera system on Piszkéstető Observatory and the ELTE Gothard Observatory can give us a distortion-free image of the meteorite activity above the Carpathian Basin for the first time. Additionally, the second largest astronomical telescope in Hungary will be assembled in Szombathely, which will assess the risks posed by large meteorites to both the Earth and to outer space.


19 December, 2016


The consortium of the MTA Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (MTA CSFK) and ELTE Gothard Observatory and Multidisciplinary Research Centre (ELTE GAO MKK) submitted a successful tender for the GINPO-2.3.2-15 call, which aims to strengthen the R&D capacity of strategically important research centres. The project titled “Cosmic effects and risks” (GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00003) was granted 941 109 185 forints.

The aim of the four-year-long project launched on 3 October is to estimate the real risk of celestial bodies approaching the earth.