Optical tracking systems typically trade off between astrometric precision and field of view. In this work, we showcase a networked approach to optical tracking using very wide field-of-view imagers that have relatively low astrometric precision on the scheduled OSIRIS-REx slingshot manoeuvre around Earth on 22 Sep 2017. As part of a trajectory designed to get OSIRIS-REx to NEO 101955 Bennu, this flyby event was viewed from 13 remote sensors spread across Australia and New Zealand to promote triangulatable observations. Each observatory in this portable network was constructed to be as lightweight and portable as possible, with hardware based off the successful design of the Desert Fireball Network. Over a 4-h collection window, we gathered 15 439 images of the night sky in the predicted direction of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Using a specially developed streak detection and orbit determination data pipeline, we detected 2 090 line-of-sight observations. Our fitted orbit was determined to be within about 10 km of orbital telemetry along the observed 109 262 km length of OSIRIS-REx trajectory, and thus demonstrating the impressive capability of a networked approach to Space Surveillance and Tracking.

Anthropogenic habitat alteration and invasive species are threatening carnivores globally. Understanding the impact of these factors is critical for creating localized, effective conservation programmes. Madagascar's Eupleridae have been described as the least studied and most threatened group of carnivores. We investigated the effects of habitat degradation and the presence of people and exotic species on the modelled occupancy of the endemic fosa Cryptoprocta ferox, conducting camera-trap surveys in two western deciduous forests, Ankarafantsika National Park and Andranomena Special Reserve. Our results indicated no clear patterns between habitat degradation and fosa occupancy but a strong negative association between cats Felis sp. and fosas. Cat occupancy was negatively associated with birds and positively associated with contiguous forest and narrow trails. In contrast, dog Canis lupus familiaris occupancy was best predicted by wide trails, degraded forest and exotic civets. Our results suggest fosas are capable of traversing degraded landscapes and, in the short term, are resilient to contiguous forest disturbance. However, high occupancy of cats and dogs in the landscape leads to resource competition through prey exploitation and interference, increasing the risk of transmission of potentially fatal diseases. Management strategies for exotic carnivores should be considered, to reduce the widespread predation of endemic species and the transmission of disease.

Aminopyralid efficacy on Canada thistle and changes in species composition in both Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities were evaluated in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND. Aminopyralid at 120 g ae/ha was applied in September 2004 to one-half of 30 native or 30 Canada thistle–infested sites. Canada thistle density 10 mo after treatment (MAT) averaged 2 stems/m2 compared to 31 stems/m2 in the control and 22 MAT averaged 16 stems/m2 compared to 42 stems/m2. Although Canada thistle was reduced in treated sites, species richness was similar to the untreated control. Species evenness increased in treated subplots compared to the control as foliar cover of low- and high-seral forbs and high-seral monocot species increased. Species richness was reduced in native plant communities treated with aminopyralid from approximately 12 to 9 species but evenness was not affected. Plant species diversity was similar in Canada thistle–infested treated and nontreated subplots but was reduced by aminopyralid in native subplots. Despite the decrease in Canada thistle and increased foliar cover of native perennial plants, composition and structure 22 MAT in the Canada thistle–infested plant community did not resemble native plant communities. Native plant communities were composed of many perennial monocots and high-seral forbs, which had increased but were in lower relative abundance in the treated Canada thistle–infested subplots.