We’re living in the age of big data. Scientists can collect and store more information than ever before. So how can they manage it all?
That’s where citizen science comes in. Members of the public can log in to the Zooniverse, the world’s largest citizen science platform, and do the hard work of sorting through the data.
Whether that’s searching for alien planets or spotting penguins, BBC Sky at Night presenter and the project’s co-founder Chris Lintott says that the public aren’t just helping out, but doing real science.
In his new book, The Crowd and the Cosmos: Adventures in the Zooniverse (£20, OUP), Chris explains how, in just a few minutes in your lunch break, you can contribute to fields from astronomy to zoology.
He speaks to BBC Science Focus online assistant Sara Rigby.
Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Listen to more episodes of theScience Focus Podcast:
- Jim Al-Khalili: Why should we care about science and scientists?
- Randall Munroe: How do you find the worst solution to any problem?
- Dr Tilly Blyth: How has art influenced science?
- Does data discriminate against women? – Caroline Criado Perez
- How can we save our planet? – Sir David Attenborough
- Monica Grady: What is the future of space science?