Max stargazing - Space Apps Challenge

Max stargazing | The Isolation Solution

The Isolation Solution

Social distancing policies enacted the world over during the COVID-19 pandemic have left many people socially isolated. Your challenge is to develop innovative solutions to combat social isolation.

Stargazing together alone

Summary

Well, I like astronomy and space. Me and my mum organised a community stargazing event where people - nearly 400 - came together at the beach and watched the moon we tried to go for the world record attempt. After that many people told me they enjoyed it and I continued my interest in space plus we were going to organise more community events. Then when iso happened we did a lot of stargazing. One night it was going to be very clear and easy to see some planets, a meteor shower so I wondered Should I tell people in my area and everyone can go in their gardens and watch together. Also comet swan was coming so I wanted to tell everyone to watch. Plus the ISS. My mum said I can use Facebook.

How I Addressed This Challenge

Helps bring people together during isolation and has a lot to do with space/astronomy. Doesn’t cost anything because I alerted people to things that can be seen with the naked eye. You can even just watch from a window or a balcony. Makes people feel connected even though they are on their own they are doing it at the same time then can discuss it on social media. Some people even share photos of the comet and stars and Moon and planets they spotted.

How I Developed This Project

My interest in space inspired me and I knew it would be a good thing to have a stargazing event regularly during coronavirus iso. The only problem was if it was cloudy, well then I just went on my mums Facebook and let people know it was rescheduled. I used much NASA data because I like reading the info and I shared it with the community to guide them .

Project Demo

https://imgur.com/eFyUPIO

Data & Resources

Comet swan NASA data https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/new-comet-discovered-by-esa-and-nasa-solar-observatory/ I used the information on comet swan to tell my community what to look out for and many people saw it.

2. https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/planner.cfm I put a map up so my community could use it to spot planets and stars when stargazing

3. https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/social-isolation I told my friends and community how astronauts cope with iso and also told them coronavirus iso is good practise for being an astronaut.

4.https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html I used the info on when the ISS was flying over Sydney area to tell my community and it happened one night about 5.30 and everyone saw it got excited .

Global Judging

This project was submitted for consideration during the Space Apps Global Judging process.