iSPEX is an citizen science project to measure aerosols in the air. The project is an initiative of astronomers at the Leiden University. During the conference Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2013, the iSPEX project and first results of the science communication research on this project were presented.

1. iSPEX
measure aerosols with your smartphone
Knowledge, motivations and preconditions of participants
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2. Citizen Science
Participation of the public in science
Fairly common in astronomy
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3. iSPEX-project
Citizen science project to measure aerosols in the air
All you need is an iSPEX add-on and the iPhone app
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4. Measurement
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5. Impacts
‣ Health, 6 months loss due to aerosols
‣ Economy, cancellation of flights (Iceland)
‣ Climate, largest insecure factor
References:
RIVM & astmafonds
IATA
IPCC
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6. Goals
‣ Determine the accuracy of this method
‣ Learn more about local differences
‣ Learn more about composition
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7. Extraordinary
Participants gather the data, and scientists
analyze
Interdisciplinary collaboration
‣
‣
‣
‣
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NOVA: astronomy & astrophysics research
SRON: development satellite instruments
RIVM: gov. org. health & environment
KNMI: gov. org. weather, climate & seismology

8. Astronomy background
Spectropolarimeter for Planetary EXploration
(SPEX)
SPEX is designed to measure aerosol and
cloud particles in atmospheres of planets
within our solar system.
SPEX
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9. Communication
Active use of social media by the iSPEX-team
Range of media covering the iSPEX-project
Important message:
iSPEX is an experiment, results are not
guaranteed
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10. Outline of the project
‣ First idea, early 2011
‣ Academische Jaarprijs 2012, 24 Oktober 2012
‣
‣
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Nearly 10.000 add-ons were spread
1st measurement day, 8 July 2013
Resulted in > 6000 measurements
2nd measurement day, 5 September 2013
Resulted in > 2400 measurements

11. 1st measurement day
Movie first measurement day
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12. Research
Thematics:
‣ Knowledge impact
‣ Motivation (& expectations)
‣ Future preconditions
‣ Attitude towards science & technology
Telephone interviews (8 respondents)
Questionnaire (>1000 respondents)
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13. Knowledge impact
By participating in the iSPEX-project I’ve
learned more about:
‣ Aerosols
‣ Health effects of aerosols
‣ Climate effects of aerosols
‣ Astronomical and optical techniques of iSPEX
‣ My iphone
‣ About citizen participation in research
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14. Knowledge impact
Aerosols
Astronomical
Health effects
Climate effects
Citizen participation
N = 1133 people
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
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Fully disagree Slightly disagree
Neutral
Slighty agree
Fully agree

15. Motivation
N = 1122, 1108
1104 people
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
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Contribution to research, (1st mot)
Citizen science interesting method (2nd mot)
Involvement through social media
Meeting people with similar interests
Fully disagree Slightly disagree
Neutral
Slightly agree
Fully agree

16. Preconditions
How would you like to perform measurements?
N = 1103 people
Measure on my own initiative
Measure individully, but like to be alerted
Like to measure on a national day
Become member of a local group with own days
Measure with acitivity at partner organisation
I do not want to measure anymore
In another way
0
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125
250
375
500

17. Preconditions
How would like to be informed about future
measurement days?
E-mail
N = 1197 people
Website partner organisation
Twitter
Facebook
Radio, tv, newspaper
iSPEX app
Other
0
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250
500
750
1000

18. Attitude
Did you participate in ... ?
N = 1071 people
Yes, now
No
Yes, before
Galaxy Zoo
SETI@home
Natuurkalender
Tuinvogeltelling
Tuinvlindertelling
Gekaapte brieven
0
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357
714
1071

19. Conclusion
learned
‣ Participants feel theyscience. most about the
phenomenon citizen
‣ Participants are mainly motivated to
contribute to research
‣ Participants feel no need for online of offline
social interaction
‣ E-mail and the app are the main sources of
information
‣ Citizen science was a new phenomenon for
most of the participants
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20. More information
www.ispex.nl/en/
Small number of add-ons available via
info@ispex.nl
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21. Contact
Franka Buurmeijer MSc
NOVA Dutch Research School for Astronomy
F.Buurmeijer@uva.nl
@astrofranka
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