Session 2 - Citizen Science and Public Engagement

Stijn Calders (BIRA-IASB), Carine Briand (Observatoire de Paris)
Monday 18/11, 13:00-14:00
Mozane 789

Nowadays funding agencies often require a public engagement component in project proposals. At European Union level, in 2015 Commissioner Moedas identified three strategic priorities, described in Open innovation, Open science, Open to the world (the 3Os strategy). One important dimension of open science is citizen science, which is envisioned as "linked with outreach activities, science education or various forms of public engagement with science as a way to promote Responsible Research and Innovation".
Therefore we organize for the second time the "Citizen Science and Public Engagement" session at the European Space Weather Week. We welcome examples of existing project involving citizen involvement, in space weather or other scientific fields, but also best practices.

Talks
Monday November 18, 13:00 - 14:00, Mosane 789

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Talks : Time schedule

Monday November 18, 13:00 - 14:00, Mosane 789

13:00	Citizen science approach for Galactic Cosmic radiation and SEP monitoring at commercial flight altitude	Trompier, F et al.	Oral
	François Trompier[1], Ghislain Darley[1], Noémie Berthelot[2], Jean-François Bottollier-Depois[1], Carine Briand[3], Cécilia Damon[1], Nicolas Fuller[3], Ludwig Klein[3], Véronique Lejeune[1], Jean Marc Peres[1], Asma Steinhausser[4]
	(1) Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire, (2) Planète sciences, (3) Observatoire de Paris-Meudon, (4) Muséum National d'Histoire Naturel
	At commercial flight altitude, passengers and aircrew members are exposed to cosmic radiation at dose rate up to hundred times higher than at ground level. As for nuclear workers, monitoring and follow-up of radiation are mandatory for aircrew exposed to more than 1 mSv per year according to the European regulation. Dosimetry of aircrew members is nowadays done routinely by calculation using models. This numerical approach has been validated by comparison with numerous on board measurements performed with adequate instrumentations such as Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC). In case of Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) classified as Ground Level Event (GLE), dose rates at flight altitudes may significantly increase, leading to an additional dose that has also to be taken account in dose records. Some routine dosimetry software give an estimation of these extra doses. Nevertheless, the models used for dosimetry are based or compared to very few sets of inflight measurements during GLE, fortunately performed. There is obviously a clear need of additional measurement data to improve the existing models and only very few programs of continuous measurements onboard airplanes exists. Moreover, to increase the probability of having detectors in flight during a GLE and, if possible at different locations, a sufficient number of airplanes should be equipped, which is currently extremely complicated from an operational point of view. In addition, this kind of program should be maintained for long periods (decades). Since 2000, only 4 GLEs were considered sufficiently significant to generate measurable additional doses. Taking into account all these constraints, the development of citizen science projects for radiation monitoring in the environment (like OpenRadiation or Safecast), the availability and affordability of small radiation detectors for public, a dedicated citizen science project aiming to provide dose measurements in case of GLE could be proposed. As a matter of fact, a certain number of passengers is already performing measurements in airplanes with different type of detectors (GM tubes, photodiode or CMOS). A project involving citizen aiming to collect these measured data, to increase the number of measurements provide by public, to develop well adapted and calibrated measurements devices would be very helpful to the scientific community while giving also the opportunity to educate public on this particular topics. Data are already collected on OpenRadiation and Safecast websites, but a website dedicated to this particular topic would be useful for a better visibility and to recruit and educate measurers. Based on the experience of the development of the OpenRadiation project which is running for 2 years and for 6 years a continuous monitoring campaign with Air France, IRSN, in collaboration with the Observatoire Paris-Meudon, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) and Planète Sciences association develops a dedicated citizen science project, COSMIC The objective is to provide a platform for collecting and sharing data. As a first step, Observatoire de Paris-Meudon and IRSN has already provided detectors to volunteers flying oversea to collect data. Flight campaigns for calibrating measurement devices (to cosmic radiation) has been organized. A first feedback of the COSMIC project will be provided.
13:15	Building a Raspberry Pi School Magnetometer Network in the UK	Beggan, C et al.	Oral
	Ciaran Beggan
	British Geological Survey, Edinburgh, UK
	Space weather poses a hazard to grounded electrical infrastructure such as high voltage (HV) transformers, through the induction of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC). Modelling GIC requires knowledge of the source magnetic field and the Earth’s electrical conductivity structure, in order to calculate the electric fields generated during geomagnetic storms and apply them to a model of the HV power network. Due to the paucity of observatories, it remains difficult to capture the smaller scale variations of the magnetic field during storms. However, as computing and geophysical sensor components have become increasingly affordable over the past decade, it is now possible to design and build a cost-effective system for monitoring the Earth’s natural magnetic field variations, in particular for space weather events. Modern fluxgate magnetometers are sensitive down to the sub-nanoTesla (nT) level, which far exceeds the level of accuracy required to detect very small variations of the external magnetic field. When the popular Raspberry Pi single-board computer is combined with a suitable digitiser it can be used as a low-cost data logger. We adapted off-the-shelf components to design a magnetometer system for schools and developed bespoke Python software to build a network of low-cost magnetometers across the UK. We describe the system and software and how it was deployed to schools around the UK. In addition, we show the results recorded by the system from September 2017, one of the largest geomagnetic storms of the current solar cycle.
13:30	Insight from an aurora guide and citizen scientist, chasing the lights and inspiring those who want to learn more	Nel, H et al.	Oral
	Hannahbella Nel
	This presentation tells my story from inner city stargazer to aurora chaser and space weather commentator, bringing the science and wonder of space to a wider audience without the need for complex jargon. From Bristol, South West Britain I used to look up at the stars in awe. I taught myself about the constellations, phases of the moon and how to photograph the night sky. I became known for my astrophotography within the UK after my photograph of the total Eclipse was seen on BBC Stargazing and across social media. Through a solo journey of self-discovery in the dark sky reserves across the world. I photographed the milky way, hiked mountains in the middle of the night and witnessed my first Aurora grinning in the darkness. My presence on social media allowed me to meet fellow photographers, academics, scientists and museum curators. This has led to continuing to explore the world and my passion of chasing and observing the aurora in both hemispheres. Visiting Jasper, Canada in 2017 I first saw the “STEVE” phenomenon; a unique twisting purple ribbon that stretched east to west unlike normal aurora. From participating in the Alberta Aurora Hunters group, I immediately knew it was STEVE and photographed to capture its movement. As a citizen scientist I have contributed these observations to researchers at NASA's Aurorasaurus, the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan. Engaging with other scientists and fellow observers has opened many opportunities and friendships. Encouraging me to learn how to predict the aurora, find out how, why and what it is formed of and the different structures I have observed and captured. My photography has been featured by BBC Earth, BBC Sky at Night, The New York Times and Science magazine amongst others. This and my enthusiasm for exploring space weather has led me to working as an aurora guide and astrophotography instructor in Finnish Lapland within the Arctic Circle and attendance at the ESA SocialSpace event in Tromsø. Inspired by the people I meet and ask questions about solar science and the Aurora, I have begun my own scientific journey to understand more. Registering on a MOOC in Plasma Physics. I am starting to link my experiences to the science behind it. Incorporating these studies with the observations I have made will bring more depth to the workshops I give to the public and help me contribute further to scientific research. And to demonstrate the science and wonder of the night sky and show that it can be more accessible to anyone, anywhere.
13:45	Vigie-Ciel, a collaborative project to study fireballs, to organise meteorite recoveries and to search for impact crater	Colas, F et al.	Oral
	F. Colas[1], B. Zanda[2,1], S. Bouley[3,1], A. Steinhausser[2], S. Jeanne[1], E. Lewin[5], J. Vaubaillon[1], P. Vernazza[4], J.L. Rault[6],and the FRIPON and Vigie-Ciel teams[6]
	[1] Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides, Paris, France [2] Muséum National d'Histoire Naturel, Paris France, [3] Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France, [4] LAM, Institut Pytheas, Marseille, France, [5]Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France, [6] FRIPON/Vigie-Ciel teams, Paris, France, (7) Universciences, Paris, France.
	The FRIPON network is now in place with 100 cameras in operation (www.fripon.org) for real-time detection of all French meteors, it is now extending to Europe. The cameras are mainly installed in public institutions (laboratories, scientific museums, planetariums, town hall, schools ...), some are also installed on private sites (cameras on loan or purchased). It should be noted that an important part of the work in the project is based on a Citizen Science program as we need to cover large areas with cameras and organise research campaigns quickly with local people. Vigie-Ciel funded by ANRU is a collaborative science program backed by FRIPON to organize meteorite research campaigns in the field and manage observers (occasional or not) meteors. As for FRIPON the goal here is to listen to the comments of the participants of these networks in order to make it evolve and increase its size. For example, the project has financed 25 educational kits that are managed locally in France, they make it possible to organize practical work on the world of meteors and meteorites from primary school to high school.

Posters

1	Humans’ Sensitive Reactions during Different Geomagnetic Activity: an Experimental study in Natural and Simulated Conditions.	Janashia, K et al.	p-Poster
	Ketevan Janashia[1], Tamar Tsibadze[1], Levan Tvildiani[1], Nikoloz Invia[2], Elgudja Kubaneishvili[2], Vasili Kukhianidze[3], George Ramishvili[3].
	[1] Central scientific research laboratory (CSRL) at David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU); [2] Georgian Technical University (GTU); [3] E. Kharadze Aabastumani Astrophysical Observatory (AAO) at Ilia State University (ISU).
	This study considers the possible effects of geomagnetic activity (GMA) on humans situated on Earth by performing experiments concerning specific sensitive reactions in humans in both: natural conditions during different GMA and by the simulation of different GMA in the lab. The measurements of autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses to different GMA via measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) indices and stress index (SI) and their comparison with the K-index of GMA have been presented and discussed. The results of experiments indicate an intensification of the sympathetic part of the ANS as a stress reaction of the human organism when it is exposed to high level of GMA as natural as well as in simulated conditions. Aim: Solar-induced disturbances of magnetosphere results in geomagnetic field (GMF) variations, such as different geomagnetic fluctuations and storms. The fundamental difficulty when studying effects of GMF is that the field strengths involved are very small. We tested the hypothesis whether the GMF when disturbed can have effects on human ANS causing specific sensitive stress-reactions depending on the initial type of ANS. Methods: The study focuses on the effects of different GMA on ANS, by comparing of HRV indices and stress index (SI) of n= 78, 18-24 years old healthy male volunteers living in a middle latitude, as in natural conditions on days with low (K= 1-3) and high (K= 5-7) GMA (i) as well as in the lab by the simulation of different GMA in the experimental room (ii) using the device of magneto compensation/simulation, allowing either compensation or simulation of geomagnetic storms (GMSs). Results: In comparison with days of low GMA (K= 1-3) the initial values of HRV shifted towards the intensification of the sympathetic part (SP) of the ANS during days of GMSs (K= 5-7) with statistical significance p-values: HR (p= 0.001), SDNN (p= 0.0001), RMSSD (p= 0.0001). In comparison with conditions during GMSs compensation mode (K= 0, B= 0-5nT), the ANS balance was observed to shift during exposure to simulated GMSs with intensities in the range of natural GMSs (K= 7, B= 200nT). However, the initial values of the ANS resulted in different dynamics in its variation depending on GMA level. In the case of initial balanced regulation type (HR>80) significant intensification of SP was observed with p-values: HR (p= 0.0001), SDNN (p= 0.047), RMSSD (p= 0.28), LF/HF (p= 0.03), SI (p= 0.02); while in the case of initial parasympathetic regulation type (HR<80), an insignificant shift to the intensification of the parasympathetic part (PP) was observed. Conclusions: The results indicate an intensification of SP as a stress reaction of the human organism when it is exposed to high level of GMA in both natural and simulated conditions. Kay words: Autonomic nervous system, device of magneto compensation/simulation, Geomagnetic storms, Heart rate variability.
2	A citizen science based data package for STEVE phenomenon related subauroral aurora or aurora-like luminous ionospheric structures	Hunnekuhl, M et al.	p-Poster
	Michael Hunnekuhl[1], Elizabeth A. MacDonald[2]
	[1] Eichenweg 15, 30989 Gehrden, Germany, [2] NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, US
	In recent years, amateur aurora observers are reporting on unique subauroral aurora or aurora-like luminous ionospheric structures which they could not classify at first. Later, these structures also puzzled the scientific community. In 2016 members of the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook group introduced the name STEVE as a general term for these structures. Very recently in 2018 and 2019, first scientific publications have been published linking these subauroral structures with the subauroral ion drift (SAID). Since then the backronym Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement is used in the scientific literature for this phenomenon. The underlying ionospheric processes are still not understood in every detail. Although STEVE phenomenon related structures have been reported sporadically since nearly the end of the Maunder Minimum their specific character had been almost overlooked for a long time until citizen scientists have started to put a closer view on them and contacted the scientific community reaching for answers to all their questions. A freely accessible event list for worldwide image supported amateur observations of STEVE phenomenon related structures was missing for a long time. The presented work is part of a non-funded volunteer project and has been performed with the aim to fill this gap. Observations of STEVE phenomenon related structures posted in Aurora related social media groups but also on aurora observer websites have been analyzed to prepare the list on the basis of predefined rules and Terms of Use. The outcome is a list summarizing more than 670 single observations, observations with time for 120 days and 160+ observation days in total. In its current version the event list covers the period 1999 until March 2019 and is regularly updated with new and old observations. This presentation gives an overview for the content of the list its development and briefly summarizes major results from a combined analysis of listed observations and geomagnetic data. An outlook is presented showing the variety of possible analyses that can be performed based on the content of the event list and how it already supports and likely extends the research on the STEVE phenomenon. As such, this work presents a powerful example how data from citizen scientists can support highly topical space science research.
3	Developing a citizen science project to provide real-time CME monitoring and analysis	Chulaki, A et al.	p-Poster
	Anna Chulaki[1], M. Crawford [2], Kevin Nhan[3], Yaireska Collado-Vega[1]
	[1]Community Coordinated Modeling Center, [2]Baltimore Community College, [3]Univ. of Houston
	Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) is a multi-agency partnership aimed at enabling, supporting and performing research and development for next-generation space science and space weather models. Addressing the team’s goal of supporting model transition to operations, the CCMC has been involved in experimental space weather forecasting and development of space weather analysis tools. On the basis of these unique assets and expertise our team has been able to provide custom space weather services to the NASA’s robotic missions. For the past eight years this was implemented partly through training and employing selected college students in real-time space weather monitoring and forecasting. By using physics-based models and satellite- and ground-based observations, our extensively trained student forecasters trace the propagation of solar storms through the solar system, run simulations, make predictions and record the effects of such events on Earth and satellite missions in the database of current and historic space weather events. While some of our team’s forecasting activities are now scheduled for automation, a subset of them will most likely continue to require human monitoring and analysis. We are considering different approaches to performing these activities and are looking into citizen science as a solution. The CCMC is currently turning our package of hands-on Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) analysis exercises, used to train aspiring student space weather forecasters, into an online training for CME monitoring and analysis available to anyone. The end goal will be to engage interested members of the public in real-time CME monitoring and forecasting using CCMC forecasting tools, to benefit NASA missions operators and the space research community.
4	Learning space weather through the Astro Pi Project: the experience at a Secondary School	Cid, C et al.	p-Poster
	A. X. Bermejo-Mendoza[1], D. A. Díaz-Herrera[1], N. D. Gorrín-Armas[1], L. A. Ramírez-Sánchez[1], B. L. Rodríguez-Pérez[1], L. A. Gamez-López[1], B. Manuel-Rama[1], M. C. López[1], M. Delgado[1], and C. Cid[2]
	[1] I.E.S. Marina Cebrián, Consejería de Educación del Gobierno de Canarias, Canary Island, Spain, [2] Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
	The European Astro Pi Challenge is a school project run by ESA. Through this project, the AGUERE team, made up of Secondary School students and their teachers, developed a python code. The team run this code in one of the two Astro Pi computers to get from the sensors onboard the International Space Station (ISS) the temperature, the acceleration and the magnetic fields for three hours on April 4th, 2019 from 16:08:44 until 19:06:24. When plotting the data, the team discovered some anomalies that they were not able to understand by themselves. Then, they searched for the help of an expert in space weather. The final result of this experience was double: on one side we discovered a space weather disturbance observed by the ISS; on the other, the students learnt that doing research can be thrilling.