SENSE THE ATMOSPHERE
learn how to build and use a SensAir
SensAIR is the sensing kit enclosed in the Aerocene Backpack, a tool for perceiving and measuring atmospheric properties collaboratively developed by the Aerocene community. Contained within a reused plastic bottle, a Raspberry Pi single-board computer connects to a Raspberry Pi camera, a BME280 sensor, a solar battery pack, an SD card, and a WLAN stick (USB 2.0). Prior to lift off, the device is attached to the sculpture and enables the gathering of aerial pictures and atmospheric data, such as temperature, humidity and pressure, along with air pollutant measurements.
Fully open source via the project’s GitHub repository, the SensAIR enables low-cost, non-intrusive, emissions-free scientific study of airborne matter and encourages citizen-science approach to atmospheric investigation. The device is open to all for further development in response to localised physical, social and political atmospheres.
The aerosolar sculpture is able to rise off the ground because of variations in air temperature and density. It floats when the air inside it is heated to a temperature higher than the air outside. You can see this temperature differential firsthand by placing the two temperature sensors inside and outside the sculpture.
Build it yourself
If you want to build the SensAir yourself, follow the step-by-step instructions here.
You can also ‘hack’ the devices pack, create and add your own light-weight sensors, and lift them up! Or expand your sensing devices pack by borrowing or building these add-ons:
