I Help Discover New Exoplanets, and You Can Too: How to Become a Citizen Scientist

Have you ever watched a science-themed movie and wished you could also make a tangible contribution to the world of science? Guess what? You absolutely can! Citizen science is a powerful movement that enables individuals without formal education in science to become active participants in scientific research. Curious about what citizen science is and how you can join in today? Let's explore together!

What is Citizen Science?

In recent decades, advancements in technology have enabled science projects to expand in scale and scope. Citizen science projects offer a unique chance for anyone to engage in scientific research, regardless of their formal education in the specific field. For example, they might monitor bird populations by counting and identifying species in their backyards, classify images of galaxies from telescope data according to instructions, or transcribe historical documents to make them digitally accessible.

Volunteers assist researchers in collecting extensive data beyond the capacity of a small team and offer insights that traditional research methods may overlook. Citizen scientists play a crucial role in tasks such as categorizing images and identifying patterns and irregularities in data sets, which can be challenging even for advanced AI systems.

Popular Citizen Science Projects

• eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology): Birdwatchers of all levels contribute valuable data about bird distribution and abundance. Volunteers observe birds in their area, identify the species, and submit their sightings through the eBird website or app. Their data contributes to a massive database used by scientists to study bird populations and migration patterns.

• Globe at Night: Help scientists measure light pollution worldwide by reporting how many stars are visible in your night sky. You receive a simple star chart for your location with different magnitudes. All you need to do is compare what you see in the sky to the chart. This project raises awareness about the impacts of light pollution on wildlife and human health.

• NASA Citizen Science: NASA recognizes the valuable contributions everyday people can make to real scientific research. They have a dedicated citizen science portal with numerous projects across various disciplines.

  • Astronomy: Help classify galaxies, search for exoplanets (planets outside our solar system), and even examine the surface of Mars.
  • Earth Science: Track clouds, report mosquito habitats, map light pollution, observe auroras, and monitor changes in land cover over time.
  • Heliophysics: Study the Sun and its effects on the solar system, including assisting missions focused on solar flares and space weather.
  • Biological Observations: Track backyard bird populations, contribute to firefly population monitoring, and map tree types in your region.

Why You Should Become a Citizen Scientist

• Make a Difference: Your contributions truly matter, helping researchers tackle real scientific problems and leading to a better understanding of our world.
• Learn and Grow: Dive into a topic that fascinates you. Expand your scientific knowledge and gain new skills.
• Community and Connection: Become part of a global community of like-minded people who are passionate about discovery.
• It's for Everyone: Citizen science welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of expertise. There's a project waiting for you.

How to Get Involved

Find Your Project

Explore these fantastic resources to find a project that sparks your interest:

• SciStarter:https://scistarter.org/
• Zooniverse:https://www.zooniverse.org/
• National Geographic:https://www.nationalgeographic.org/idea/citizen-science-projects/
• NASA:https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/

Jump In

Some projects are beginner-friendly, while others might ask you to learn more advanced concepts. That being said, most projects have excellent instructions and training, easing you into the tasks.

Share Your Passion

Involve your friends and family in the experience and spread the word about the power of citizen science.

• Explain what citizen science is: Many people may not be familiar with the idea. Explain that it's everyday people helping scientists by collecting data, analyzing information, or taking part in other research activities. Tell them how their participation can make a real difference in the world.
• Organize an outing: Turn citizen science into a group activity. Organize a nature hike to identify plants and insects, conduct a stargazing session for classifying galaxies, or monitor water quality at a local stream.
• Cater to different ages and abilities: Discover projects that engage participants of all ages, including kids and adults. Some projects have easy tasks for younger participants, while others offer more involved options for adults.
• Create a friendly competition: A little competition can be motivating! Set up a challenge to see who can identify the most bird species in a weekend or record the most rainfall data for your location.

Ready to Make a Mark?

Citizen science is about joining a movement to make science more accessible and collaborative. Your enthusiasm and willingness to contribute can truly impact the world around you.

Let me know in the comments if you heard of citizen science before or if you ever participated in such project! Do you have any favorite citizen science projects? Your feedback and experiences can inspire others to get involved in this exciting field!