Sensors designed to detect nuclear detonations can help track space debris falling to Earth

As seen from above, four circles composed of wires radiating out from central points on the ground surround a low square building in a field.

Scientists are studying how sensors designed to detect nuclear tests could help track space junk and meteorites crashing down in the world's most remote regions.

Across the world, dozens of supersensitive detectors have been installed since the beginning of the Cold War era to detect infrasound waves created by nuclear tests thousands of miles away. Infrasound refers to sound waves far below the range of human hearing, similar to how the infrared range of light is far below the threshold of human eyesight.