TY - Generic T1 - The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera Version 2.0 (NoDDAC2.0), a Platform for Citizen Science and a Use Case for Implementing Best Practices in Open Data and Collaboration T2 - HamSCI Workshop 2023 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Timothy Young A1 - Vincent Ledvina A1 - Elizabeth MacDonald A1 - Laura Brandt A1 - Wayne Barkhouse A1 - Alex Schultz A1 - Cody Payne A1 - Anne Mitchell A1 - Kristian Haugen A1 - Will Shearer A1 - Kerry Hartman A1 - Sasha Sillitti A1 - Michael McCormack A1 - Steve Collins AB -

The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC) is an interdisciplinary project created 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 (35-55°N). Deploying light-sensitive video and all-sky still cameras at these midlatitudes provides a valuable resource to aurora-chasing communities, as well as amateur radio operators in the auroral zone. In addition, NoDDAC data demonstrate scientific merit, as it can be correlated with radio and ionospheric propagation changes to investigate the connection between optical aurora and radio science. This project is unique; the practices of utilizing dual cameras with consumer-off-the-shelf equipment, emphasizing open data as a responsive community resource and promoting citizen science make NoDDAC an accessible resource benefiting multiple audiences. Since early 2021, NoDDAC has detected hundreds of auroras as well as notable events like STEVEs (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement). NoDDAC is stationed at Martens Observatory (48.1°N, 97.6°W), which is operated by the UND Department of Physics and Astrophysics. Live Aurora Network provides weatherproof camera housings and their proprietary IPTimelapse software which allows for remote control of the cameras. This year we present NoDDAC2.0, the next evolution of NoDDAC funded by NASA’s EPSCoR program. NoDDAC2.0 will upgrade the all-sky camera and feature a robust open-data platform to share aurora data with the public and scientists. We outline a strategy to increase the science utility of NoDDAC data, incorporating a citizen science project launching on the Zooniverse platform. We also present plans to integrate NoDDAC data into the AuroraX conjunction finder system so that satellite data can be easily correlated to aurora images. Most importantly, we are collaborating with the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation to install an independent aurora camera system in North Dakota. Not only does this represent a unique collaborative opportunity, but at a separation distance of 300 miles from Martens Observatory, this second camera will allow us to explore research questions relating to the precise location, height, and spatial extent of certain auroral phenomena.

JF - HamSCI Workshop 2023 PB - HamSCI CY - Scranton, PA ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Amateur Radio: An Integral Tool for Atmospheric, Ionospheric, and Space Physics Research and Operations JF - White Paper Submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Nathaniel A. Frissell A1 - Laura Brandt A1 - Stephen A. Cerwin A1 - Kristina V. Collins A1 - David Kazdan A1 - John Gibbons A1 - William D. Engelke A1 - Rachel M. Frissell A1 - Robert B. Gerzoff A1 - Stephen R. Kaeppler A1 - Vincent Ledvina A1 - William Liles A1 - Michael Lombardi A1 - Elizabeth MacDonald A1 - Francesca Di Mare A1 - Ethan S. Miller A1 - Gareth W. Perry A1 - Jonathan D. Rizzo A1 - Diego F. Sanchez A1 - H. Lawrence Serra A1 - H. Ward Silver A1 - David R. Themens A1 - Mary Lou West ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Fostering Collaborations with the Amateur Radio Community JF - White Paper Submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Nathaniel A. Frissell A1 - Laura Brandt A1 - Stephen A. Cerwin A1 - Kristina V. Collins A1 - Timothy J. Duffy A1 - David Kazdan A1 - John Gibbons A1 - William D. Engelke A1 - Rachel M. Frissell A1 - Robert B. Gerzoff A1 - Stephen R. Kaeppler A1 - Vincent Ledvina A1 - William Liles A1 - Elizabeth MacDonald A1 - Gareth W. Perry A1 - Jonathan D. Rizzo A1 - Diego F. Sanchez A1 - H. Lawrence Serra A1 - H. Ward Silver A1 - Tamitha Mulligan Skov A1 - Mary Lou West ER - TY - Generic T1 - The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC), A Student-led Citizen Science Project: Data Showcase, Future Developments, and Scientific Potential T2 - HamSCI Workshop 2022 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Vincent Ledvina A1 - Elizabeth MacDonald A1 - Laura Brandt A1 - Michael McCormack A1 - Steve Collins A1 - Wayne Barkhouse A1 - Timothy Young AB -

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°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.

JF - HamSCI Workshop 2022 PB - HamSCI CY - Huntsville, AL ER - TY - CONF T1 - Construction of an Aurora Camera in North Dakota to Aid in Citizen Science and Space Weather Applications (ePoster) T2 - HamSCI Workshop 2020 Y1 - 2020 A1 - Vincent Ledvina A1 - Elizabeth MacDonald A1 - Wayne Barkhouse A1 - Timothy Young AB -

We will present plans for a new student‐built aurora camera integrated with a public university, local astronomy groups, and Aurorasaurus citizen science. Live aurora cameras are crucial tools for avid skywatchers, aurora chasers, and scientists.  Globally there are hundreds of cameras providing nowcast views of aurora strength, yet in low‐latitude areas, especially in the United States, the number of high‐quality, live aurora cameras is extremely limited.  The need for aurora camera coverage in mid‐latitudes is apparent; not only will it be another resource for amateur astronomers and aurora‐watching communities, but the analysis of many transient auroral phenomena such as substorms and STEVEs benefit from multiple geographical observations.  A north‐facing camera will be built near Inkster, North Dakota, on the Martens Observatory location (approximately 48.1oN), broadcasting a public live stream of the night sky while simultaneously offloading images to a storage server.  The Sony a7s2 mirrorless camera, a model employed by other live broadcasts such as the LiveAuroraNetwork, will be used in conjunction with a wide‐aperture lens for maximum light‐gathering ability.   The entire apparatus will be housed in a weatherproof enclosure and internet will be supplied on‐site.  The camera will be integrated with the University of North Dakota’s Astrophysics and Space Studies department and will be a resource for the local astronomy community, the Northern Sky Astronomical Society.  Working with Aurorasaurus, the aurora camera will “tweet” when an aurora is spotted and be shown on the Aurorasaurus auroral oval map along with other citizen scientist observations.  This aurora camera will be a valuable resource for citizen science and will aid scientists in attempting to unravel the mysteries of Earth’s magnetism.

JF - HamSCI Workshop 2020 PB - HamSCI CY - Scranton, PA ER -