The ASG

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The ASG (Astronomical Society of Glasgow) is the biggest astro society in Scotland with over 150 members. Here's what we are up to!

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  1. (More) Citizen Science Projects

    Sky at Night Magazine had quite a nice article this month on the proliferation of ‘citizen science’ projects.  I’m sure that most of you are familiar with the concept and have maybe even participated in one or two: SETI@home, Galaxy Zoo and the new Solar Stormwatch for example. There was, however, an omission in my opinion.  One that is close to the ASG’s heart:  Einstein@home.

    Einstein@home has been running for a few years and follows the model of SETI@home.  You download some software to sit and crunch data in the background, or when the screensaver is deployed.

    So that is how you get it running, but why?  What is it doing?

    Einstein theorised the existence of gravitational waves, but as yet no one has directly proved their existence.  There are currently two detectors using laser interferometry to try to detect them but, understandably, they are producing a lot of data to be analysed.  And that is where you come in…  it is this data that Einstein@home is processing.

    And why is it close to our hearts?  The University of Glasgow (with whom we do so much work) is at the heart of this research with their Institute for Gravitational Research.  We are fortunate to have close ties with Dr Martin Hendry - through lectures and outreach work.  And during the 2010/2011 season, we are very proud to be hosting a lecture by Prof. Jim Hough - a man who has devoted many years to tracking down the elusive gravitational waves.  

    So go on - give Jim a hand.  Download the software and get crunching!