In today’s episode, Cormac, Cole and Lucia catch you up with all things Citizen Science. In the epoch of ChatGPT, Grok and Gemini (no, not the telescope), it’s easy to forget about the 20 Watt computer you’re using to read this sentence. Yes, even YOU can contribute to cutting-edge astronomical research, as we present two examples of cosmic crowdfunding in action. Cole convinces us that nearby galaxies need some Clump Scouts, and Lucia shows us how volunteers have been the (tur)key to finding a new star-studded dwarf galaxy. We also discuss the non-research benefits of democratising science, and in a fourth-wall-shattering pivot, we ask you, yes YOU, what you’d like to hear more of on a[s]b.

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Astrobites:

https://astrobites.org/2024/07/29/galaxy-zoo-clump-scout/

https://astrobites.org/2023/11/18/a-lonely-little-galaxy-at-the-edge-of-our-neighborhood/

Space Sound:

Adapted from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6vbST9iMOU

XKCD Comic:

https://xkcd.com/1425/

Article about the (not so?) amateur astronomer:

https://astro.arizona.edu/news/tucson-doctor-wins-national-award-his-second-act-amateur-astronomer