Nonprofit Adopt a Star: Lessons from 15 years of Crowdfunding

TL;DR

This paper reviews 15 years of a nonprofit crowdfunding campaign supporting astronomy research, highlighting its evolution, public engagement, and contributions to exoplanet studies.

Contribution

It provides a detailed case study of a long-term crowdfunding initiative supporting scientific research and public involvement in astronomy.

Findings

Successful engagement of the public over 15 years

Significant funding support for exoplanet research

Evolution of crowdfunding strategies in science

Abstract

In the past 15 years, the number of known planets outside of our solar system has grown from about 200 to more than 5000. During that time, we have conducted one of the longest crowdfunding campaigns in history, a nonprofit adopt a star program that supports astronomy research. The program includes the targets of NASA space telescopes that are searching for planets around other stars, and it uses the proceeds to help determine the properties of those stars and their planetary systems. I summarize how this innovative program has evolved over the years and engaged the public worldwide to support an international team of astronomers.