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