Aurora OrreryScience Hack Day Dublin 2012
HackersConnor UptonDavid Perez-Suarez
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 accessible
and we'd like a more persuasive reminder
Step 1: Make KML from data
Provide 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 LEDs
Build it using geodesic dome pattern?
Step 4: Build Aurora Orrery
Build 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