Hunt solar flares
Cosmic On Air is a citizen science project
Measure cosmic radiation during your flights and contribute to real research
The Cosmic On Air project
The Cosmic On Air citizen science project aims to collect radiation measurements onboard commercial flights. These measurements are used to study how radiation levels vary with altitude, latitude, and space weather, and are made available to the scientific community.
In rare cases, solar eruptions can significantly increase radiation levels at flight altitude. These events are unpredictable and difficult to measure, meaning that high-quality in-flight data is limited.
By contributing your data, you help improve our understanding of radiation in the atmosphere and support research into these rare but important phenomena.
How to participate
Measure radiation during a flight
Upload your data to the Cosmic On Air database
Explore and analyse your measurements using the toolkit
Note: some legacy sensors use the OpenRadiation platform.
If you are interested in sponsoring sensors for schools in developing countries, please contact us to discuss how to do this.
Project Highlights
The Cosmic On Air project was presented at the International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly in Cape Town (July 2024), highlighting its role in citizen science measurements of radiation in aviation. The project brings together researchers from the Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (ASNR), Observatoire de Paris and University of Cape Town.
Cosmic On Air was featured by Nature Africa, highlighting how passengers can contribute to studying radiation exposure and the effects of solar activity during flights. Read the article.
Partners of the project
The Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (ASNR) monitors civil nuclear activities in France and carries out research, expertise, training and information of the public in the fields of nuclear safety and radiation protection.
OBSPM Founded in 1667, the Observatoire de Paris is the largest national research center for astronomy. 30 % of all French astronomers are working in it five laboratories and its institute.
The Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit (MeASURe) within the Department of Physics, University of Cape Town, South Africa, focuses on applications which require novel measurement techniques, particularly using neutron and gamma radiation. Within MeASURe is the n-lab, a unique facility on the African continent offering access to fast neutron beams up to 14.1MeV. The n-lab provides an accessible and flexible testing ground for the rapid prototyping of new detector systems; analysis techniques for a broad range of applications; and to provide practical training in nuclear physics research.