Rain Rangers| Hey! What Are You Looking At?
Awards & Nominations
Rain Rangers has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Hey! What Are You Looking At?
Asteroid Hub
Summary
Developed a web-based visualization tool that accesses NASA’s Near Earth Object API and dynamically draws the orbital diagram for asteroids that are approaching earth. Provided access to this information through a web application with a simple user interface.Developed an SMS-based subscription service that texts users as soon as an asteroid that NASA has classified as “hazardous” is discovered.
How We Addressed This Challenge
I developed web-based visualization tool that allows users to view asteroid orbital diagrams based on their close approach date to earth. I have also included an SMS-based subscription service that notifies users when a hazardous asteroid passes earth.
Having been interested in space since a young age, my intention was to develop an application that I personally would find useful and enjoy using. I believe that other space enthusiasts, along with researchers would enjoy using the application as well.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory website currently allows users to search for a specific asteroid by the asteroid’s name. You are then greeted with various tables describing orbital data. The average space enthusiast does not know the name of all close asteroids to begin their search, and might also be overwhelmed with the amount of information available. Additionally, Researchers might want the option to simply view the orbital diagrams of asteroids passing by earth within a given date range, rather than search each asteroid’s name, and investigate each one separately. My application aims to solve that issue by creating a simple, easy to use interface for users with all levels of expertise. The diagrams provide access to orbital data at a high level, along with a link to access the official JPL reference for each asteroid if needed.
With regards to the SMS subscription component, space enthusiasts and researchers can register, and get notified as soon as an asteroid that is classified as hazardous is discovered. The text messages provide users with important information including size, approach date, distance, and access to the JPL reference so researchers can immediately begin investigating the information from their phone.
How We Developed This Project
I used python, flask, NASA NEO API, and poliastro/matplotlib. Users enter the date range once they open the application. This is passed to the NASA NEO API which takes two parameters: start date, and end date. It returns a JSON formatted response of asteroid information within that date range. Using poliastro/matplotlib, I created the orbital diagrams for each asteroid based on the 6 variables that define orbit: semi major axis, eccentricity, inclination, ascending node longitude, perihelion argument, and true anomaly (at the moment, mean anomaly is being used. I plan on modifying the application to use true anomaly for a more accurate visualization in the future). The orbital diagrams are generated, and embedded into the application for users to view, along with the name of the asteroid, and the JPL reference for that asteroid. An issue I faced was that the original orbital dynamics library I attempted to use was not maintained, and therefore did not work for most use cases. After discussing with mentors, I was recommended to use poliastro which works great. For the SMS component, I used the twilio SMS api, along with information from the NASA NEO API.
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
I used NASA Open APIs: https://api.nasa.gov/. Specifically, the Asteroid NEOWs. I used this to get the orbital data required to draw each diagram. Here is a sample response: https://www.neowsapp.com/rest/v1/feed?start_date=2020-09-09&end_date=2020-09-09&detailed=true&api_key=demo_key. This dataset returns the orbital data for an asteroid. I created the orbital diagrams for each asteroid based on the 6 variables that define orbit: semi major axis, eccentricity, inclination, ascending node longitude, perihelion argument, and true anomaly. It also includes the JPL reference for each asteroid which I embedded into the webpage along with the diagram. The API also contains information pertaining to size, distance, and whether or not an asteroid is hazardous. This allowed me to create the SMS service that notifies users when a hazardous asteroid is found.
Project Code
Data & Resources
https://api.nasa.gov/ Specifically, the Asteroid-NeoWs API.
Sample Response: https://www.neowsapp.com/rest/v1/feed?start_date=2020-09-09&end_date=2020-09-09&detailed=true&api_key=demo_key