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Blue Sky Zero

Profile picture for user DaveBakker
Submitted by DaveBakker on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 18:51

With so many people working from home, and limited travel and industrial activity, many regions are experiencing startling improvements in air quality.

Accordingly, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity for a citizen science project to measure baseline air quality, then observe changes as the country starts going back to work. 

Note: Phase 1 of Blue Sky Zero has ended. You can still use the protocols from Phase 1 found here to collect your own data. Phase 2 is coming soon. You'll be able to contribute your data again during Phase 2. Learn more about Phase 2 here.

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Project Blue Sky Zero

Project Blue Sky Zero is a citizen science project that aims to measure and collect air quality data using a PocketLab Air, and then report that data back to university researchers who will map and analyze results. By collecting a baseline today, and then ongoing measurements as activity starts to return to normal, we will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to observe the impact human activity has on local air quality. 

How Can I Get Involved?

Check out the PocketLab Blue Sky Zero Lab Report and Data Collection Protocols here. 

We are recruiting existing and new PocketLab Air users to take daily measurement near your home, and upload them weekly online. This should only take about 20-30 minutes of your time per day.

If you have a PocketLab Air, you can go right to our PocketLab Notebook lab report and start collecting data today.

If you don't have a PocketLab Air and want to join the project, learn more about Phase 2 here. 

How and Where Are Measurements Done?

Phase 1 Protocols: Everyone needs to follow the same protocol so that the data can be aggregated.  We have written a measurement protocol as a Lab Report in PocketLab notebook, so all you have to do is follow the procedure in this Lab Report. It specifies 15 minutes of measurement time.

The measurements need to be taken at the same place, ideally once per day. We suggest that you take measurement near your home, or at work if you are working. The air quality where you spend the most of your time is what is important for your health. Also, with the restrictions around COVID-19, we do not suggest traveling or attempting to go to any crowded locations. 

Where Is Data Uploaded?

Note: Phase 1 of Blue Sky Zero has ended. You can still use the protocols from Phase 1 found here to collect your own data. Phase 2 is coming soon. You'll be able to contribute your data again during Phase 2. Learn more about Phase 2 here. ​​​​​​​

When Can I See The Data?

You can view some of the data collected during Phase 1 in the Blue Sky Zero Lab Report.

What If I Have Questions?

The primary forum we will monitor for questions and comments is on Twitter on the hashtag #BlueSkyZero. You can also message us on Twitter at @thepocketlab. For more detailed technical support, you can always reach us at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Project Blue Sky Zero

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