Fighting bushifres from space, with Dr. Marta Yebra

Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) have joined forces with people from the industry to develop a revolutionary national system that aims to detect bushfires early and put them out within minutes.

Dr. Marta Yebra leads these scientists to give us eyes in the sky. The satellite instruments that they're pioneering image our planet and help us to observe and understand the earth's processes.

In the past, Marta showed us how satellite data and mapping techniques can help bushfire managers better prepare and respond to bushfires.

In this session, Marta will tell us more, and share with us the amazing work her group has been progressing since the 2019/20 bushfires occurred.

Suitable ages: 6-12+.

But if you're older and interested, join anyway!

Timezone: Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne [AEST]

About Dr. Marta Yebra

Dr Marta Yebra, is the Director of ANU-Optus Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence, Senior Lecturer in Environment and Engineering at the Fenner School of Environment & Society and Research School of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Environmental Engineering ), Mission Specialist of the ANU Institute for Space, and Associate Editor for Remote Sensing of Environment.

Marta advised the NSW Rural Fire Service throughout the 2019-2020 fire season and regularly consults with emergency agencies across Australia.

Her research focuses on using remote sensing data to monitor, quantify and forecast natural resources, natural hazards, and landscape function and health at local, regional and global scales.

Among all the amazing things she does, Marta is now leading the development of a satellite to measure forest fuel load and vegetation moisture levels across Australia to help mitigate the threat from bushfires.

This bushfire-sensing satellite will be designed, developed and built at the ANU Mount Stromlo campus.