Mon, 16. December 2013
Citizen Science - How to Get Started
Millions of computers around the world are participating in Citizen Science over the Internet, using the BOINC Manager. Many more are not and it is sad that all that idle computing power goes un-utilised.
1. HOW TO JOIN BOINC
1. Go to http://boinc.berkeley.edu/
2. Download the BOINC Manager to your computer and install it.
3. Register your e-mail address and a password with BOINC.
4. Do not accept the invitation to join an Account Manager. It is not necessary and may complicate things at an early stage of your BOINC careeer.
Once you have done this successfully, you have become a BOINCer!
2. HOW TO ADD A PROJECT:
All you need to do next is attach one or more science projects and you will be up and running:
1. Open the BOINC Manager software.
2. Select "View" then select "Advanced View".
3. Select "Tools" then select "Add Project or Account Manager".
4. Choose "Add Project" (do not choose "Use Account Manager").
5. Select your project from the list if it is included or add the link which I have provided for each project below:
3. MY FAVOURITE ASTRONOMY PROJECTS:
The SkyNet POGs:
Combines the spectral coverage of GALEX, Pan-STARRS1, and WISE to generate a multi-wavelength UV-optical-NIR galaxy atlas for the nearby Universe. This is an Australian project run out if ICRAR's data processing centre in Western Australia.
When prompted, enter: http://pogs.theskynet.org/pogs/
Einstein@home:
Search for weak astrophysical signals from spinning neutron stars (also called pulsars) using data from the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors, the Arecibo radio telescope, and the Fermi gamma-ray satellite. The long-term goal is to make the first direct detections of gravitational-wave emission from spinning neutron stars.
When prompted, enter: http://einstein.phys.uwm.edu/
Asteroids@home:
Because asteroids have in general irregular shapes and they rotate, the amount of sunlight they scatter towards the observer varies with time. This variation of brightness with time is called a lightcurve. The shape of a lightcurve depends on the shape of the asteroid and also on the viewing and illumination geometry. If a sufficient number of lightcurves observed under various geometries is collected, a unique physical model of the asteroid can be reconstucted. The project aims to significanly enlarge our knowledge of physical properties of asteroids. The BOINC application uses photometric measurements of asteroids observed by professional big all-sky surveys as well as 'backyard' astronomers. The data is processed using the lightcurve inversion method and a 3D shape model of an asteroid together with the rotation period and the direction of the spin axis are derived.
When prompted, enter http://asteroidsathome.net/boinc/
LHC@home:
Simulates 60 particles at a time as they travel around the Large Hadron Collider, and runs the simulation for 100,000 loops (or sometimes 1 million loops) around the ring. That may sound like a lot, but it is less than 10s in the real world. The simulation is needed to test in advance whether the beam is going to remain on a stable orbit for a much longer time, or risks losing control and flying off course into the walls of the LHC vacuum tube. Such a beam instability would be a very serious problem that could result in the machine being stopped for repairs if it happened in real life.
When prompted, enter: http://lhcathomeclassic.cern.ch/sixtrack/
SETI@home:
The goal is to detect intelligent life outside Earth. One approach, known as radio SETI, uses radio telescopes to listen for narrow-bandwidth radio signals from space. Such signals are not known to occur naturally, so a detection would provide evidence of extraterrestrial technology.
When prompted, enter: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/
MilkyWay@home:
Aims to create a highly accurate three dimensional model of the Milky Way galaxy using data gathered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
When prompted, enter: http://milkyway.cs.rpi.edu/milkyway/
Cosmology@home:
Search for a model of the Universe which best describes our Universe; and find a range of models that agree with the available astronomical and particle physics data.
When prompted, enter: http://www.cosmologyathome.org/
4. JOIN THE MACARTHUR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY BOINC TEAM
Inside the BOINC Manager, select the "Projects" tab; and for each project which you have joined within the BOINC Project Manager, you will see a "Home Page" button down the left hand side. Selecting this button will take you to the individual project website. You may need to log on. Locate your "Account Preferences" page and find the "Community" section to join "Macarthur Astronomical Society".
5. THAT's ALL!
Just remember to let me know that you have joined and if you have chosen an identity other than your real name, please let me know what it is, so I know who you are!