Speaker
Description
The Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) Citizen Science Project (CSP) has successfully developed a structured national model for public engagement in astronomy. The CSP functions as an open research and learning initiative, engaging high school and university students, amateur astronomers, and the general public in established global scientific programs, including the International Asteroid Search Campaign and Zooniverse. This strategic effort significantly enhances scientific literacy and practical research participation across Ethiopia. The CSP maintains robust international partnerships with organizations such as Shadow the Scientist (StS), Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), and the Pan African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-LAB). These collaborations are instrumental in providing participants with hands-on experience using remote telescopes and advanced data analysis tools. The project has already yielded significant scientific outcomes, notably the identification of asteroid 2023 SY20 through a collaborative survey with the PACS e-LAB, and the confirmed observation of supernova SN2025qpk in the UGC 11622 galaxy using LCO resources. These achievements by student participants underscore that impactful scientific contributions result from coordinated public involvement, supported by professional networks and accessible infrastructure. The presentation will thoroughly detail the CSP’s foundational structure, methodological framework, and scientific outputs. Furthermore, it will present the core lessons and practical challenges encountered in establishing this national citizen science model, alongside the key resource and structural gaps identified for scaling activities within Ethiopia. This analysis will offer direct, valuable insights for other emerging national programs.
| Stream | Education, Development and Outreach |
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