We aim to make stargazing, especially NEO observation, simpler, more social and more personally and scientifically meaningful for astronomers of all levels. Our SkyLog app includes an in-app NEO search/submit/rank system with simplified tools for users, a stargazing journal, a stream of community journal entries, a map with ranked stargazing sites and more. The app relies on our NEO Web Service (NeoWs), an open-source API for accessing official NEO data, a service that does not exist today.

This project is solving the Database of Near Earth Objects challenge.

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Description

More details about the SkyLog project:

Near Earth objects (comets and asteroids with orbits that pass near the Earth) can tell us a lot about the early formation of the universe, but they may also pose a substantial risk if they’re on a collision course with Earth.

There are only around 100 people worldwide dedicated to NEO observation, according to NASA. Research relies on amateurs and independent astronomers to help identify and confirm sightings, but astronomy can be intimidating for newcomers trying to learn the language of the science.

SkyLog allows people of all ages, backgrounds and astronomy education levels to compare and submit NEO sightings, as well as keep a personal stargazing journal with entries that can be shared with the SkyLog community. The app will automatically capture important data (universal time, precise location, sky coordinates, etc.) and allow users to input their own details (weather conditions, light pollution, personal observations, photos) that are either scientifically or personally meaningful.

SkyLog automatically checks sightings against current NEO catalogs to let users know if they're looking at a known object or whether they've stumbled on something new! New sightings will remain within the SkyLog community where other users can confirm or veto the report. Sightings that get enough confirmation from other users will result in an official submission to the Minor Planet Center for review. There will be points and badges assigned to sightings, with special badges for helping astronomers pinpoint previously unknown objects!

More details about the NeoWs (Near Earth Object Web Service) API:

Currently official NEO data is not only somewhat scattered, but a difficult to get at pragmatically. NeoWs provides a common, standardized source for NEO data, allowing developers, researchers, or citizen scientists to access NEO data.

Team members: Arezu Sarvestani, David Greenfield, Jason English

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Project Information

License: Apache License, Version 2.0
Source Code/Project URL: https://github.com/SpaceRocks/

Resources

See a fluidUI mockup of the mobile app - https://www.fluidui.com/editor/live/preview/p_QRf6lEL8w0ImJ2INh3Kox3tmNdpdxUQQ.1367300024102
View higher resolution images of the static screens in development for the SkyLog app here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157633374720573
More details about individual aspects of our project - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RoabaBm1yDHqpHWe2X56yJOVt2KHavbHMaoH6723MjE/pub