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Published: 05 December 2024

Aurora Handbook for Citizen Science

by Fabio Crameri

From the Working Groups

Highlights

Citizen Science

Aurora

Bridging Communities for Auroral Research

We are thrilled to introduce you to the Aurora Handbook for Citizen Science, an innovative guide crafted through the collaborative efforts of the ISSI Working Group ARCTICS (Auroral Research Coordination: Towards Internationalised Citizen Science). This useful resource aims to connect professional scientists and citizen scientists, fostering collaboration to unlock the mysteries of the aurora.

Empowering Discovery Through Collaboration

The Aurora Handbook for Citizen Science bridges the gap between professional researchers and the global community of citizen scientists who observe the aurora. With insights tailored for both groups, the handbook offers:

for Citizen Scientists: A comprehensive introduction to auroral science, safety tips for aurora chasing, and guidance on contributing to scientific research through photography, observation, and reporting.
for Scientists: Practical advice on engaging with citizen scientists, leveraging their unique observations, and fostering effective partnerships.
for Both Communities: Rewarding outcomes of collaboration, including new discoveries, enriched understanding, and strong, interdisciplinary connections as was highlighted by testimonials from participants.

By combining the expertise of professional scientists with the passion and observational reach of citizen scientists, this initiative transforms auroral research into a global, inclusive endeavour.

A Comprehensive Resource

The handbook delves into topics such as:

Auroral Science Basics: Learn about auroral phenomena, their causes, and why they are scientifically significant.
Aurora Photography: Detailed instructions on capturing and processing high-quality images, along with tips for using them in scientific analysis.
Citizen Science Highlights: Case studies of contributions by citizen scientists, including breakthroughs in understanding phenomena like STEVE (an atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as a purple and green light ribbon in the night sky), auroral dunes (thin ribbons of green light in the sky, extending horizontally toward the equator for hundreds of kilometres), and proton auroras (faint isolated spots of green light usually occurring at lower latitudes than Northern/Southern lights).
Collaboration Advice: Guidance for both scientists and citizen scientists on effective communication, reciprocity, and data sharing.

Additionally, the handbook introduces platforms such as Aurorasaurus and Skywarden, which enable citizen scientists to report auroral sightings and contribute to global auroral data repositories.

Accompanying the handbook is a handy Field Guide for direct access under the Aurora-lit sky. It provides aurora chasers with concrete examples of the various auroral forms they may encounter while in the field, and it is designed to be easy to use and refer to, even when outside seeking the aurora.

Voices from the Community

The creation of the handbook was shaped by diverse perspectives from across the globe. Participants describe the ARCTICS ISSI Working Group experience as a unique and enriching experience:

“A whole new aspect of aurora-hunting has opened to me as a newbie in citizen science. Learning more about the aurora and contributing to space weather science enriches the experience of seeing and photographing it.” — Marjan Spijkers, Netherlands

“How many times have we been puzzled looking at a photograph, realising how little we actually understand the upper atmosphere and its interactions with space… Curiosity, humility, respect—those three adjectives can lead to fantastic discoveries and lasting friendships!” — Maxime Grandin, Finland

Handbook Access and Further Information

Supported by ISSI, the ARCTICS Working Group exemplifies the institute’s commitment to enable interdisciplinary collaboration (read more here). The Aurora Handbook for Citizen Science not only empowers citizen scientists but also serves as a model for integrating grassroots efforts into professional scientific endeavours.

The handbook is freely available under a Creative Commons license, ensuring open access to this valuable resource.

Explore the Aurora Handbook for Citizen Science and join the ARCTICS community in advancing our understanding of one of nature’s most captivating phenomena!

Download both the in-depth handbook and handy field guide here: doi:10.5281/zenodo.13931940

Herlingshaw, K., Lach, D., Dayton-Oxland, R., Bruus, E., Karvinen, E., Ledvina, V., Partamies, N., Grandin, M., Spijkers, M., Nishimura, Y., Knudsen, D., Ladbrook, L., Martinis, C., Gallardo-Lacourt, B., Dyer, A., Mielke, L., Ratzlaff, C., Evans, L., Helin, M., Kuzub, J., Barthelemy, M., Thomas, N., Glad, M., Donovan, E., Syrjäsuo, M., Cordon, S., Andersen, J., and Legg, C. (2024). ARCTICS Aurora Field Guide and Handbook for Citizen Science. Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13931939.
HTML version: https://kherli.github.io/Aurora-Field-Guide-And-Handbook/.

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