Unistellar Citizen Science

Unistellar Citizen Science
While any telescope can be used to participate in the various citizen science programs available to the astronomical community, Unistellar takes this to the next level by providing official programs backed by professional staff astronomers (mostly associated with the SETI Institute) to better support participating eVscope users. In addition, the eVscope system has many advantages over other efforts to conduct public astronomical research:
 * Hardware and software standardization allows data merging without extensive normalization
 * Relatively low cost compared to other research instruments allows wide accessibility
 * World-wide distribution allows continuous coverage of transient events
 * Centralized access and processing provided by the Unistellar/SETI Institute simplify data collection and analysis

Getting Started
Users that desire to support research access the Unistellar website to find observation opportunities for their geolocation. The necessary timing, pointing, and telescope setting data is then downloaded to the eVscope or entered manually. After the observation, the App is used to command the eVscope to upload the collected images to Unistellar servers via a WiFi connection. Contributors complete and submit a form to notify Unistellar/SETI that an upload has occurred, the data are analyzed and merged with other observations, and feedback is provided to the submitter via the on-line collaboration application Slack. Current Science Observation campaigns include:
 * Exoplanet Transits - this program involves enabling the eVscope community to aide in the process of discovering and confirming exoplanet candidates, and improving the data on existing planets.
 * Asteroid Occultations - this program involves users observing the intermittent blocking of light from stars by asteroids, allowing the orbits and shapes of these asteroids to be better understood and studied.
 * Planetary Defense - this program involves the study of the paths and orbits of near Earth orbit asteroids that may pose a future risk of impact, often involving observing recently discovered objects to help quick determine their orbits.
 * Cometary Activity - this (currently beta) program involves the tracking of specific comets of interest, in order to better understand their orbits, shape, rotation, and behaviors as they approach or recede from the Sun.

Uploading Data
Once science observations have been performed, the data stored in eVscope memory must be uploaded the Internet servers managed by Unistellar. Unistellar instructions for doing this are here.

To upload data the eVscope must first disconnect from the Operator device and reconnect to a local WiFi network. From the Operator device, tap Settings/My eVscope, scroll to Storage, and tap Upload. The App will request the name (SSID) and password (if any) for the local WiFi network. In addition, the end state of the eVscope after the upload process is finished (successfully or otherwise) can be chosen using the Park and Turn off buttons. If no After upload choice is made the scope will maintain its starting configuration. Tap Upload to begin. The eVscope LED will will blink Yellow and then turn Green (successful connect) or Orange (unsuccessful). If the connection is established, the upload begins and the Green LED will begin intermittently flashing to indicate progress. The number of flashes will decrease until the Green LED stays solidly on, indicating upload complete. The eVscope will then Park, turn off, or stay on. If the specified WiFi network in inaccessible or an SSID/password entry error was made, the LED will turn Orange.

Due to variables such as local WiFi bandwidth, Internet upload speed, and the amount of data to upload, this process may take many hours. The upload in progress will automatically resume if the WiFi or Internet is briefly (<~10 minutes) interrupted. Best upload practices include:
 * Charging while uploading
 * Uploading frequently to minimize stored data
 * Ensuring good WiFi bandwidth by keeping the eVscope close to the access point
 * Relocating to a location (Internet café, library, etc.) with high-speed Internet access