@proceedings {614, title = {The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC), A Student-led Citizen Science Project: Data Showcase, Future Developments, and Scientific Potential}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC) is a student-led project in collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND), Live Aurora Network, and Aurorasaurus. Aurora cameras provide ground-truth visual data to aurora chasers and scientists, but are sparse at midlatitudes. Deploying a light-sensitive video camera and allsky still camera in these areas provides a valuable resource to aurora-chasing communities, including ham radio operators in the auroral zone, and demonstrates scientific merit. For example, the analysis of rare phenomena benefits from observations at multiple locations. In addition, NoDDAC data can be correlated with radio and ionospheric propagation changes, as well as geomagnetic activity, to investigate the connection between optical aurora and radio science. This project is unique; utilizing dual cameras with COTS equipment, emphasizing open data as a responsive community resource, and promoting citizen science make it an accessible resource benefing multiple audiences. Since early 2021, NoDDAC has detected aurora on more than 20 occasions, as well as unusual events like overhead auroras, STEVEs, and noctilucent clouds.\ 

NoDDAC is stationed at Martens Observatory (48.1{\textdegree}N), which is operated by the UND Department of Physics and Astrophysics. Live Aurora Network housings weatherproof both cameras, and their proprietary IPTimelapse software uploads images to a web server for analysis. The north-facing camera records video, allowing Zooniverse-style citizen science for small auroral features. Live Aurora Network streams both cameras on their website and app. Ultimately, when aurora is detected IPTimelapse will post a clip of the display to @NODDAC_cameras on Twitter. Automated reports will be mapped on Aurorasaurus, alongside citizen scientist observations. Image data are archived according to open source and FAIR data principles. NoDDAC will also look for crossovers with projects such as the Personal Space Weather Station to provide additional ground-based measurements of the space environment. This presentation will reflect on the data captured with NoDDAC and outline a timeline for its future, and open the floor for collaborations with other citizen science efforts.

}, author = {Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Laura Brandt and Michael McCormack and Steve Collins and Wayne Barkhouse and Timothy Young} } @conference {409, title = {Live Aurora Network}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

How it Started: Live Aurora Network is the brainchild of founders Steve and Tony Collins.\  The brothers traveled around the Northern hemisphere searching for the magical lights, time after time they spent hours sitting in a field looking up at a clear sky with an Aurora predicted, watching all the Apps available to them... with no results! Or there was simply no Aurora forecast. Or it was just too cloudy. Steve and Tony decided they needed real-time alerts and not just a forecast - Live Aurora Network was born. Introduction: Live Aurora Network is an innovative real-time detection system designed to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in person or by viewing remotely. Advances in camera technology, Internet video and social media have given people around the world the opportunity to experience the wonder of the Aurora. The subtlety of the lights previously required long camera exposures of 20 to 30 seconds to capture them. This blurred out some of the details and produced time-lapse videos that were down-sampled versions of the real display. A Solution: Using Sony{\textquoteright}s a7SII camera Live Aurora Network is able to stream Aurora video at 30fps. Audiences are now provided a more authentic aurora display using the Live Aurora Network iPhone/Android App. Live Aurora Network has seven camera systems to-date in Norway, Iceland and Alaska and with plans for more installations. An Aurora detection algorithm developed in coordination with our partner, Michael McCormack (HAM callsign NQ1O) detects the presence of Aurora in a live image instantly alerting App users to the presence of Aurora. Scientific Use: Following discussions with scientists specializing in the field of The Northern Lights, it became apparent that the data might be of use to the scientific community. Live Aurora Network has also collaborated with Aurorasaurus (@tweetaurora) which is a citizen science project gathering real-time data about aurora sightings notifying users when the Northern Lights are likely visible in their area. Live Aurora Network smartphone App is available for download at the App store.

}, author = {Michael McCormack} }