AuroraMAX Legacy
Project Overview
The AuroraMAX Project launched in 2009 as a public outreach initiative dedicated to monitoring the intensity and frequency of the aurora borealis above Yellowknife, Northwest Territories through and beyond Solar Maximum, the peak of an 11-year sunspot cycle.
AuroraMAX features an online observatory that provides Canadians with instant access to the greatest light show on Earth. The project has resulted in over a decade of data including high-definition images and time lapse videos of auroral activity above Yellowknife, located at 68° North magnetic latitude – an ideal location for auroral observation.
Project Objectives
The AuroraMAX Project aims to:
- Raise awareness of the science and splendour of Canada’s northern lights;
- Enhance public access to aurora observation in the North and across Canada;
- Raise awareness of the cause-and-effect relationship between the Sun and Earth;
Project Partners
AuroraMAX was developed as a partnership between the Canadian Space Agency, University of Calgary, City of Yellowknife and Astronomy North Society.
From 2009-2022 each partner played an important role, with the Canadian Space Agency overseeing operations and the national outreach activities for the project.
Annual funding was provided to the University of Calgary to operate the AuroraMAX Imager and provide science and technical support for the project. The dedication and expertise of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary was instrumental to maximize data collection and optimal performance of the systems and final deliverables, including a substantial archive of AuroraMAX Replays that are essential to the achievement of project objectives.
In the North, Astronomy North volunteers donated thousands of hours to support the AuroraMAX Outreach objectives, providing local and national aurora forecasting support, issuing local and national alerts, providing high-resolution photography for social media while also donating services that support AuroraMAX Observatory maintenance and onsite technical support.
The City of Yellowknife has proudly played the role as the host city of AuroraMAX and continues to foster the connection to aurora tourism and the northern economy.
Project Status
Beginning in 2022-2023 the University of Calgary will play a new lead role to support both AuroraMAX operations and national outreach.
The live feed, AuroraMAX Alerts and AuroraMAX Replays are now available on the new website www.auroramax.com which is maintained by the University of Calgary.
Astronomy North continues to donate aurora forecasting serivces and outreach in support of AuroraMAX and is collaborating with the City of Yellowknife to celebrate the images, videos and data generated by the project as part of the new AuroraMAX Legacy section on www.astronomynorth.com.
The new AuroraMAX Legacy section will also be part of a new feature exhibit at the Yellowknife Visitors Centre.
The AuroraMAX Observatory remains operational and on-site maintenance continues to be provided by Astronomy North volunteers.
Project Overview
The AuroraMAX Project launched in 2009 as a public outreach initiative dedicated to monitoring the intensity and frequency of the aurora borealis above Yellowknife, Northwest Territories through and beyond Solar Maximum, the peak of an 11-year sunspot cycle.
AuroraMAX features an online observatory that provides Canadians with instant access to the greatest light show on Earth. The project has resulted in over a decade of data including high-definition images and time lapse videos of auroral activity above Yellowknife, located at 68° North magnetic latitude – an ideal location for auroral observation.
Project Objectives
The AuroraMAX Project aims to:
- Raise awareness of the science and splendour of Canada’s northern lights;
- Enhance public access to aurora observation in the North and across Canada;
- Raise awareness of the cause-and-effect relationship between the Sun and Earth;
Project Partners
AuroraMAX was developed as a partnership between the Canadian Space Agency, University of Calgary, City of Yellowknife and Astronomy North Society.
From 2009-2022 each partner played an important role, with the Canadian Space Agency overseeing both the operational and outreach activities for the project. Annual funding was provided to the University of Calgary to operate the AuroraMAX Imager and provide science and technical support for the project. In the North, Astronomy North volunteers donated thousands of hours to support the AuroraMAX Outreach objectives, providing local and national aurora forecasting support, issuing local and national alerts, providing high-resolution photography for social media while also providing services that support AuroraMAX Observatory maintenance. The City of Yellowknife played an important role as the host city and fostered the AuroraMAX connection to aurora tourism and the northern economy.
Project Management
From 2009 to 2022, the project was co-managed by the Canadian Space Agency and Astronomy North, with a strong focus on achieving both northern and national outreach objectives in Canada’s official languages.
AuroraMAX is now managed by the University of Calgary and is led by Dr. Eric Donovan. The University intends to continue managing the imager and operations and has also offered to take over the national outreach responsibilities from the Canadian Space Agency.
Astronomy North will continue to provide services that support the project and is now showcasing the benefits of the project in the new AuroraMAX Legacy section on our website.
This means we can all continue to enjoy the live feed, AuroraMAX Alerts and AuroraMAX Replays on the newly created www.auroramax.com supported by the new AuroraMAX Legacy features on www.astronomynorth.com.
Project Status
Beginning in 2022-2023 season the University of Calgary will be playing a new role to support both AuroraMAX operations and national outreach.
The live feed, AuroraMAX Alerts and AuroraMAX Replays are now available on the new website www.auroramax.com. which is maintained by the University of Calgary.
Astronomy North continues to donate aurora forecasting serivces and outreach in support of AuroraMAX and is collaborating with the City of Yellowknife to celebrate the images, videos and data generated by the project as part of the new AuroraMAX Legacy section on www.astronomynorth.com.
The new AuroraMAX Legacy section will also be part of a new feature exhibit at the Yellowknife Visitors Centre.
The AuroraMAX Observatory remains operational and on-site maintenance continues to be provided by Astronomy North volunteers.
A BRIGHT FUTURE. The universe is evolving, and so are we! With our 20th Anniversary celebration just around the corner in 2024, Astronomy North is preparing to modernize our programs and services and introduce new initiatives that explore the power of citizen science in a changing North – how cool is that! Watch for more updates this fall and join us as we celebrate 20 years embracing the nature, culture and wonder of Canada’s northern sky!
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Forming as a club in Yellowknife in 2004, Astronomy North began as a small group of volunteers offering community aurora forecasting, hosting sidewalk astronomy and classroom presentations and guest presentations at the museum. A few years later, in 2008, we introduced the NWT Astronomy Plan and soon after became a non-profit territorial society that designed, developed and managed projects that aimed to benefit communities in the Northwest Territories as part of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.
That year we launched our two flagship projects in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency – The AuroraMAX Project and The Legendary Sky Project, and added The Northern Lighthouse Project a few years later.
Along with our projects, our volunteer crew of citizen scientists has also been delivering some cool support services including aurora forecasting, a national AuroraMAX Alert system and continues to offer free space weather training for tour operators – and we’re going to continue inviting everyone to explore the nature, culture and wonder of Canada’s northern sky.
The new organization, to be unveiled in 2024, will have a new emphasis on citizen science in a changing north, exploring new frontiers, new partnerships and new initiatives that align with community priorities and help make the Universe a better place.
Stay tuned for more updates on our 20th Anniversary celebration this fall.
Sections
AURORA FORECAST
LEARNING CENTRE
CITIZEN SCIENCE
AURORAMAX LEGACY
THE LEGENDARY SKY
