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Learn more about our program: What Is the Citizen Science Program?
Join our Citizen Science program and participate in different scientific missions. Our Citizen Astronomers observe space objects such as asteroids, comets, exoplanets and more. No matter your generation, geography, education or interests, there is a meaningful citizen science program for you.
Once you’re a member of the program, you can take part in missions directly from the app.
The Science page can be accessed via the bottom menu of the app.
Tap on the Science button
to reach the Science page.
There are currently six types of missions available. You can learn more about these and UNISTELLAR Citizen Science on our Citizen Science website, but a summary of the science missions is given below.
Asteroid occultations
Asteroid occultation detection entails observing an asteroid pass between a bright star and your location on Earth, which briefly blocks the star’s light. The telescope’s recording of the star’s blinking provides valuable data that astronomers can use to learn more about an asteroid’s trajectory, size, shape, and composition. When launching an observation campaign, scientists invite telescope users to join their search by activating “Occultation Mode” on their devices. Observe the sky with your telescope, send this data to scientists, and help keep the world informed about asteroids. You will then receive the results of your occultation observation!
Exoplanet transits
An extrasolar planet – better known as an exoplanet – is a distant planet orbiting a star other than our Sun. As exoplanets orbit their parent star, they may pass – or transit – in front of that star as seen from Earth. As it transits, the exoplanet blocks out a fraction of the star’s light. This small change in the star’s light can be observed by space scientists and Unistellar Citizen Astronomers to detect exoplanets. So far, space scientists have discovered and confirmed nearly 6,000 exoplanets, and with their Unistellar telescopes, Citizen Astronomers can confirm even more of these alien worlds!
Planetary defense
Our planet is not free from danger. Our solar system is home to other celestial bodies such as asteroids and artificial objects. Asteroids sometimes cross the Earth’s orbit. Some of these near-Earth asteroids are “potentially hazardous asteroids,” meaning they come close to the Earth and should be monitored for our safety. The Planetary Defense program aims to locate, track, and characterize these near-Earth objects (NEOs) in our solar system. Each month, Unistellar scientists suggest different NEOs to observe with your telescope.
Cometary activity
A comet is a small Solar System body made of ices and dust. When a comet gets close enough to the Sun on its orbit, ices on the surface will turn to gas. This phenomenon gives rise to the beautiful tails comets are known for. Comets may break into multiple pieces, visit us only once every century, or even leave our Solar System. Although comets are hard to predict, Citizen Astronomers can observe their close approaches and monitor their activity to help space scientists understand cometary behavior and structure.
Cosmic cataclysms
Cosmic cataclysms are mysterious and fleeting explosions that may be observable in the night sky for anywhere from a few seconds to weeks, or even years. For example, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts are high-powered cosmic explosions that we know of, but there are many other exotic happenings in the night sky yet to be studied and understood. In such explosions, there is a temporary but drastic increase in brightness that Citizen Astronomers can observe to help astronomers understand these cataclysmic events.
Satellite Surveillance
Our orbit is now filled with artificial satellites, which perform all types of tasks from monitoring weather patterns to providing internet access across the globe. Over 10,000 satellites now circle the Earth, and the number will continue to increase. But these bright, manmade objects pose a hazard to astronomical studies, since space science often relies on observing very faint targets. By tracking satellites – their brightness and movements – you can help astronomers monitor their impact on our night sky! Observing satellites is an exciting adventure, as these objects move quickly across the heavens.