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Fossil fluorescence: UV laser drone fossil hunting
synapsomorphy posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
(totally new to this forum, let me know if there's a more appropriate place to post this!) Hey all! I found a video showcasing a fossil hunting method that I'm super fascinated by! It's a drone that uses the fact that many fossils fluoresce under UV light to fly around and find fossils autonomously. This seems like an absolutely fantastic way to hunt for fossils over a large area. I have experience with drones and electronics and I'm interested in making a similar drone, hopefully a bit simplified, maybe open-source and user friendly etc. If this method works well to find fossils, getting this tool into the hands of more researchers would be an awesome way to find many more fossils. So I'm looking more into just how effective this method is; particularly how often it is that a fossil is fluorescent, especially vertebrate fossils. I did find this paper that gives some good info but it is largely focused on smaller vertebrates and only from a single formation. Basically any information you have about fossil fluorescence under UV light I'd love to hear! I'm especially interested in figuring out how broad of a phenomenon this is. Do most vertebrate fossils from most formations fluoresce? Is it only smaller fossils or only some formations? The better this method is for finding fossils, the more effort I want to put into making a simple, reliable drone employing the method. I'm also interested in automating the process with machine learning down the line. I read that fossils have a typical fluorescence wavelength that is different from most other things you might find out there, which gives you a clear signal to look for. The eventual result could be: you let a drone go fly around autonomously for a couple hours, recharging it as needed, and then it automatically gives you a list of GPS coordinates to go check out and the images associated with them. (Also, if anyone wants to collaborate on this project, please let me know, whether your skills are more on the electronics/software or paleontology side!) Disclaimer: I'm very aware that drone flight is not allowed in many typical fossil bed areas, definitely won't ever be flying anything without approval.- 9 replies
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Has anyone tried using a drone on fossil expeditions? I pinpointed a location in a small bit of woods between a highway and a shopping center that may have exposed formation but I’m not sure what’s actually there. It’s quite summery here in VA, and the bugs and snakes are out to get us! It would be unwise to go traipsing through unfamiliar woods. I suddenly had the idea that it would be great in general to use a drone to scout out an area before entering. I wondered if anyone has tried it. Feel free to leave your thoughts on this!
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LIVE 10.07.23 Volcano eruption started in Iceland! Drone live stream Litli-Hrútur Volcano Is 10 Times Bigger Than 2021 Iceland Fagradalsfjall Meradalir Volcano LIVE 09.07.23 New volcano eruption expected in Iceland! Drone live stream 10 LIVE: New Volcanic Eruption Expected in Iceland Volcanic eruption has started near Litli-Hrútur Iceland Monitor, July 10, 2023 Yours, Paul H.
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Below are some miscellanous articles and publications about using drones to find vertebrate fossils. Surveyors use drone technology to map dinosaur footprints in Sunland Park By Jason McNabb, April 26, 2023 Earlham geologists use aerial technology, 3D mapping to discover fossils buried in desert Earlham College, August 26, 2022 Reinhart, J.A., 2020. Using drone mounted multispectral cameras to map fossil sites (Masters thesis). Beelders, T. and Dollman, G., 2021. Virtual Prospecting in Paleontology Using a Drone-Based Orthomosaic Map: An Eye Movement Analysis. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 10(11), p.753. Automated laser-scanning ‘hunter drone’ seeks out fossils, minerals and biological targets, Hong Kong University Automated laser-scanning 'hunter drone' seeks out fossils, minerals and biological targets, The University of Hong Kong Yours, Paul H.
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Drone assisted meteorite recovery - My Question: Why not Drone assisted vertebrate fossil recovery?
Oxytropidoceras posted a topic in Fossil News
If a person can find meteorites with drone, Why not vertebrate fossils? In the case of fossils, geological maps and aerial images take the roles of the radar and satellites used for meteorites. Drone assisted meteorite recovery Global Fireball Observatory, March 14, 2022 How satellites, radar and drones are tracking meteorites and aiding Earth’s asteroid defence Hadrian Devillepoix, The Conversation, November 21, 2022 An early attempt at using drones to find fossils: Archaeologists are hunting for fossils in Kenya's Turkana Basin — and you can help The Week, September 11, 2015 I have yet to find any publications that resulted from this research except for "Fossil Finder - the next stage. April 2018 Update. There is "field guide" on the righthand side that shows what fossils look like in an aerial drone image. Yours, Paul H. -
Do paleontologists use modern evolving equipment like drones to scour remote plateaus or steep dangerous cliffs ? Also with the advancement in facial recognition cameras could someone develop a software recognition program containing all main shapes and sizes of dinosaur fossils known, to electronically scan ground surface via a programmed drone. It would seem that the discovery process for paleontology is still the same as prior generations. Just curious as to the future in regards to ground imaging/penetration. If a surveillance camera can Id a person on city street by facial clues could that not be capitalized on for surface discovery. Just a thought. Wouldnt it be cost effective instead of relying on human eyes/time and random hikes.
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Perseverance Rover Lands Safely - Will Search for Ancient Life on Mars
Oxytropidoceras posted a topic in Fossil News
NASA Lands the Perseverance Rover on Mars The science mission will launch the first drone to fly on another planet, attempt making oxygen in space, and search for signs of ancient life. Sarah Scoles, Wired, February 18, 2021 NASA's Perseverance rover landing on Mars, PBS Yours Paul H.-
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Drones as potential fossil hunting gear. - Proof of Concept
Oxytropidoceras posted a topic in Collecting Gear
Although this paper involves meteorites, that drones were "taught" to recognize meteorites using machine learning suggests that there is the potential that the same can be done for larger fossils such as vertebrate remains. The paper is> Anderson, S., Towner, M., Bland, P., Haikings, C., Volante, W., Sansom, E., Devillepoix, H., Shober, P., Hartig, B., Cupak, M. and Jansen‐Sturgeon, T., 2020. Machine learning for semi‐ automated meteorite recovery. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. First published: 01 December 2020 ARXIV PDF file for those people who lack subscription / library access: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.13852.pdf Yours, Paul H>-
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