Cyber-Cosmos: A New Citizen Science Concept in A Dark Sky Destination
Domingos Barbosa, Bruno Coelho, Miguel Bergano, Catarina Magalh\~aes,, David Mendon\c{c}a, Daniela Silva, Alexandre C. M. Correia, Jo\~ao, Pandeirada, Val\'erio Ribeiro, Thomas Esposito, Franck Marchis

TL;DR
This paper introduces Cyber-Cosmos, a citizen science initiative using digital telescopes to promote dark sky conservation and space science education during the COVID pandemic in Portugal.
Contribution
It presents the first continuous pedagogical and citizen science application of smart telescopes in a dark sky tourism context during a pandemic.
Findings
Successful training of students in deep-sky observation
Enhanced citizen engagement in dark sky preservation
Potential for sustainable astrotourism development
Abstract
Astrotourism and related citizen science activities are becoming a major trend of a sustainable, high-quality tourism segment, core elements to the protection of Dark skies in many countries. In the Summer of 2020, in the middle of COVID pandemics, we started an initiative to train young students - Cyber-Cosmos - using an Unistellar eVscope, a smart, compact and user-friendly digital telescope that offers unprecedented opportunities for deep-sky observation and citizen science campaigns. Sponsored by the Ci\^encia Viva Summer program, this was probably the first continuous application of this equipment in a pedagogical and citizen-science context, and in a pandemic context. Pampilhosa da Serra, home to a certified Dark Sky destination (Aldeias do Xisto) in central Portugal, was the chosen location for this project, where we expect astrotourism and citizen science to flourish and…
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Taxonomy
TopicsImpact of Light on Environment and Health · Optical Wireless Communication Technologies · CCD and CMOS Imaging Sensors
