Our Crowdfunding Groups
Hello #MDallsky supporters!
Hopefully, you've been noticing the small tweaks each week as we've built up the website over the past several months. We're getting really close to finishing. The dynamically generated stuff is not up yet but we do have most (not all) of the rest of the static content. Please take a look and let me know what you think.
http://mdallsky.astro.umd.edu/index.shtml
Interested to hear what works/doesn't work, typos, text suggestions, ... If something doesn't work for you, please send the page URL, what OS and browser you are using, and a description of what is not working (an annotated screenshot would work as well). We've designed the site to work on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
Thank you!
Hello #MDallsky supporters!
It's been a very busy couple of years. After the initial flurry of getting the hardware in and getting one camera installed, we hit a snag when we realized we had to do more hands-on data management if we were going to use the proprietary control software. Logging in, even remotely, every day to manually move data was not going to be practical once we had all cameras installed. With the 2015-16 school year and subsequent school years, we've been working with sophomores in the College Park Scholars Science, Discovery, and the Universe program to write code. Initially, it was to control the camera, but along the way another camera control option became available. At that point, we focused more on meteor detection. But we got too focused on writing that code and lost track of our original goal. This year, we've reassessed where we are and where we need to be. And the main thing was to get a website actually up. So that will be our focus this year. We will be adding in capabilities and features over the coming months. But for now, here is a "delta" version of the site: http://mdallsky.astro.umd.edu/sample1.html
North is at top and East is at left. Please feel free to watch it each evening. It should refresh with a new image every 2 minutes while the camera is collecting data during the night.
Clear Skies!
Hello!
Wow! We started this campaign just over 24 hours ago (noon 9 Mar) and we’ve already gotten over 50% of our funding. Another way to look at it is that we have our first camera funded! We are so excited and grateful for the amazing response we’ve had to our proposal.
And although we only proposed for two cameras to get the network started, exceeding our funding goals would simply allow us to purchase additional cameras and widen the network. We would love to see all-sky cameras not only at GRAD-MAP partner schools but potentially also at K-12 schools, as well as at other science centers and space places.
So, we want to thank everyone who has given us such a tremendous start. Maintaining a camera-a-day pace might be wishful thinking, but you did help us fund a camera in the first day! We hope that you’ll continue to support this project by sharing this link www.launch.umd.edu/mdallsky so that we can get as many folks here in MD participating and then maybe that camera-a-day might come true.
The #MDallsky Team
Dear #MDallsky Supporters!
Thank you! Eleven days ago we started this crowd funding campaign to raise money in order to build the Maryland All-Sky Camera Network. We proposed an initial goal of $5000 which would cover the cost of two cameras. In the first 24 hours, the response was unbelievable and amazing. We had the first camera! Over the past week and half, the support has continued and today, we reached our initial goal of $5000 and our second camera!
We still have 18 days left in the campaign, so we are now working on our first stretch goal of $7500, a third camera. (There is a second stretch goal of $10K to get a 4th camera, of course!)
Thus, we still need your help. Please Share/Post/Tweet this campaign far and wide!
That’s the beauty of crowd funding: LOTS of people each helping a little adds up to a lot!
We’re using #MDallsky to tag our updates on Facebook and Twitter, so you can also follow our progress on either social network.
(long URL) www.launch.umd.edu/mdallsky
(short URL, good for tweets, etc) ter.ps/mdallsky
www.facebook.com/UMObservatory
@UM_Obs
@gradmap
The #MDallsky Team
Dear #MDallsky Supporters!
Here we are, only one week left in the "Build the Maryland All-Sky Camera Network" campaign. It has been an amazing experience and we've learned so much from it. But one of the more fantastic realizations has been the tremendous support that we have from our department (Astronomy), family, and friends. We reached our initial goal and are slowly making our way towards our stretch goal of $7500 that would enable us to get a third camera.
Reflecting on our good fortunes and reviewing the other projects currently on LaunchUMD, I wanted to give a shoutout to the other CMNS project currently on LaunchUMD: Help Send ACS Student Affiliates Chapter to Boston.
(American Chemical Society (ACS))
You can learn more about their project here: http://cmns.umd.edu/news-events/features/2857 and donate here: http://www.launch.umd.edu/help-acs
Their campaign started at the same time as ours but they're stuggling a little to reach their goal. Well, they're part of CMNS and we want to see them succeed as much as our project has. So, while we certainly hope to reach our stretch goal before midnight on 7 April, we also hope that they reach their goal!
You can find both projects (and others) at www.launch.umd.edu.
And while many of you have already helped in many ways, we still need your help in getting the word out:
(long URL) www.launch.umd.edu/mdallsky
(short URL, good for tweets, etc) ter.ps/mdallsky
www.facebook.com/UMObservatory
@UM_Obs
@gradmap
Thank you!
The #MDallsky Team
Like their namesake shooting stars, your donation is helping our wish come true!
You’re out of this world! Small things make a big difference, and every bit helps!
Asteroids had a big impact on the dinosaurs, and at this level you are making a big impact on our project. You’ll be added to a special email list to get priority notifications of notable sightings from the camera(s) for 1 year.
Earth is the home to all life. And you give life to our project. You’ll also get to participate as a beta tester as we bring cameras online.
Like the Sun, you give us the energy we need to move the project forward. Get invited to a special event when we debut the first camera.
You truly are a super-star, complete with orbiting bodies! You and your entourage will get a private observing session at the UMD Observatory.
The Milky Way is regarded as the celestial path to the heavens. And you are paving our path to success! You’ll get to participate in the site selection process.
Like the Universe, your generosity has no limits! You get all of the above plus we’ll name a camera in your honor.