Tag: citizen science
-
Carpobrotus Invasion Tracked by iEcology: Longer Bloom
Tracking an invasive coastline plant with social media A recent study led by researchers at the University of Galway shows how a bright, holiday-photo staple—the carpobrotus plant—plays to its advantage in invaded regions by flowering for a longer period than in its native South Africa. Using more than 1,700 photos from Instagram and citizen science…
-
Carpobrotus blooms longer where invaded, study reveals
New insights into a coastal invader A recent study led by researchers from the University of Galway and international partners reveals a surprising edge for the colorful coastal plant carpobrotus. By analyzing more than 1,700 photos from social media and citizen science platforms, the team found that carpobrotus flowers for a longer period in regions…
-
How a Total Solar Eclipse Reset Bird Clocks and Sparked a False Dawn Chorus
Overview: A Rare Natural Experiment The April 2024 total solar eclipse—often called the Great American Eclipse—briefly plunged much of central and eastern United States into near-night. The event offered scientists a rare, real‑world test of how birds respond when the light-dark cycle is suddenly interrupted. A team led by Liz Aguilar combined citizen science, machine…
-
Birds Rewire Their Clocks: How the 2024 Solar Eclipse Sparked a Dawn Chorus—and Silence
Overview: An Extraordinary Natural Experiment The April 2024 Great American Eclipse offered researchers a rare, near-perfect natural experiment: 4 minutes of daytime darkness sweeping across a broad swath of the United States. A team led by Liz Aguilar seized the moment to study how abrupt light disruption impacts bird behavior. By combining a citizen science…
-
When the Sky Went Dim: How the 2024 Solar Eclipse Triggered a False Dawn Chorus in Birds
The 2024 total solar eclipse that swept across North America did more than dazzle observers; it offered a rare natural experiment for scientists studying how light shapes animal behavior. A new study shows that 29 species of birds altered their vocalizations before, during, and after the eclipse, and many answered the sun’s return with a…
-
Total Solar Eclipse Triggers Dawn Behavior In Birds: A New Look at How Light Disruptions Shape Avian Rhythms
How a rare cosmic event reshaped bird behavior When the April 2024 Great American Eclipse plunged midday into near-night across much of the central and eastern United States, it did more than dim the landscape. It provided scientists with an unprecedented, large-scale natural experiment to observe how quickly and dramatically birds respond to abrupt changes…
-
Birds Sing a False Dawn: How the 2024 Solar Eclipse Tricked Wildlife Commons
Overview: An Eclipse That Rewrote Birdsong The total solar eclipse of April 2024 swept across North America, but humans weren’t the only ones listening for the drama in the sky. A new study reveals that at least 29 bird species altered their vocalizations before, during, and after the eclipse, with many birds spraying out a…
-
Helio Highlights: The Sun and Our Lives
The Sun and Our Lives: Why This Matters On a clear night, thousands of stars glitter in the sky, but during the day there is one constant: the Sun. Its proximity—about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers)—makes it not only the nearest star but also the energy engine that powers life on Earth. Astronomers measure…
-
From Teacher to Astronomer: Current Posts, Podcasts and Backgrounds
From Teacher to Astronomer: A Practical Path Many educators find themselves dreaming of the night sky beyond the classroom chalkboard. The journey from teacher to astronomer is increasingly common, powered by online courses, community observatories, and the expanding role of artificial intelligence in data analysis. This article compiles current posts, podcasts, and practical backgrounds to…
-
Citizen Scientists to Aid NASA’s Artemis 2 Moon Mission Tracking
Introduction to Artemis 2 NASA’s Artemis 2 mission marks a significant milestone as it will be the first crewed flight to the Moon in over 50 years. Scheduled for 2026, this mission aims to take astronauts on a trip around the Moon and back, paving the way for future lunar exploration and sustainable presence on…