Paleontologist to speak March 28

Brent Breithaupt holds plaster fascimile
University of Wyoming paleontologist Brent Breithaupt holds a plaster facsimile of a Wyoming dinosaur track he created in his office at the University of Wyoming Geological Museum in Laramie, Wyo. Breithaupt plans to use a technique called photogrammetry, using photos to create maps and three-dimensional representations, to compare dinosaur tracks in Wyoming and Scotland. (AP Photo/Mead Gruver)

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CHADRON – Chadron State College’s Natural Sciences Club will host guest speaker Brent Breithaupt Wednesday, March 28, at 5 p.m. in the Student Center’s Scottsbluff Room. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Breithaupt is the Regional Paleontologist for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He oversees BLM paleontology policy in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

The presentation, “Bringing the Flying Reptiles Down to Earth: Tracking Pterosaur Footprints using Photogrammetry,” will focus on the fossilized skeletons of pterosaurs and the recent interest of tracking their footprints with photogrammetry.

“Photogrammetry, the science of making measurements from photographs, is a well-established method used to capture 3D data of tracks and trackways,” Breithaupt said. “These data provide valuable information to better understand the terrestrial activities and behaviors of pterosaurs in the Jurassic West and around the world.”

Photogrammetry has been used successfully to collect data on pterosaur and dinosaur tracks over the past 20 years, according to Breithaupt. He added pterosaur tracks are often small and subtle with low relief and documenting traces can be challenging.

For more information, contact Dr. Mike Leite at 308-432-6377 or mleite@csc.edu.

-CSC College Relations

Category: Campus Events, Campus News, Physical and Life Sciences