Science Hack Day Dublin 2012
HackersConnor UptonDavid Perez-Suarez
Marisa LlorensNeil Kelly
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
Celestial fireworks caused by caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere
• Auroras are caused by increased solar activity
• This follows a predictable cycle and we will see significant activity in the next couple of years
Auroras are visible from Ireland
• But how do I know when to go look for them?
Data is Available but it's not very accessibleand we'd like a more persuasive reminder
Step 1: Make KML from dataProvide a live map of current & predicted solar activity with additional playback functionality
Step 2: Make LED flat map
Northern PerspectiveAgain hooked into live data source
Step 3: Half Globe with LEDsBuild it using geodesic dome pattern?
Step 4: Build Aurora OrreryBuild several full globes with LED auroras Construct an orrery to show relationship between solar flares and auroras on multiple planets
What we need?
Lots of help- Hardware- Software- Model Construction
What we Got DoneA Google Earth KML layer that feeds off a database to show the extent of Auroras over time
We won the peoples choice award for most interesting project
What we Got DoneRobert Fitzsimmons took on a project extension to develop a programmable LED globe that would take our KML layer as an input to light up aurora zones