iSPEX-EU: Take part in gathering air pollution data using your iPhone
Urban air pollution is a global problem with particulate matter, or aerosol
particles, a major contributor. To improve our understanding on how
best to tackle the issue requires novel measurements conducted across
major cities around the world.
Within the iSPEX-EU project a simple add-on for iPhones 4, 4S, 5, and 5S
enables citizens to take part in collating such data. Funded under the Horizon
2020 programme, the project is taking place in cities
across Europe to show how air pollution changes in and above cities
depending on the weather conditions.
Now it is the turn of Manchester!
How it works:
To gather data, the iSPEX add-on works together with an app installed on
the iPhone. The more people that take measurements, the more accurate
the data becomes. Ideally, the measurements are most useful in the morning and
late afternoon, but measurements from all times of day will be helpful.
The project runs from 15th September to 15th October 2015 during which
the participants can join in by attaching the iSPEX add-on to their
iPhones and taking measurements of the sky at different angles.
How do I get one?
We will be hosting sessions at events held at the Museum, during which you
can come and collect the add-on and chat with us. The add-on is then
yours to keep!
Whilst the app walks you through when best to perform a measurement,
we will also be selecting a few evenings when the weather is really good
to coordinate simultaneous measurements. If you want to be notified
about these events then please indicate so in your email, find us on
Facebook under 'iSPEX-EU Manchester' or follow us on Twitter @****.
When the project is complete and all the data is crunched, we will be
holding some talks open to everyone who is interested, reporting on how
the project went and what we have learnt.
