John FrancisJun 7, 2023

Smokiest streak ever.

It looks even smokier this morning than it did yesterday.

With the AQI pinned at 10+, another way of considering the thickness of smoke is the visibility. Yesterday's range was from 3-10km, but this morning, it's dropped as low as 1.2km.

Somewhere there are data feeds with the measurements of air pollutants, I've seen them measured in the 0-1000 ug of PM2.5 particulates, an AQI of 10 is something like 200. Models show blobs over 500 heading at Ontario.

Show threadRoss of OttawaJun 7, 2023
@johnefrancis sounds like we need a new AQI scale.
Show threadKinetixJun 8, 2023
@ottaross
I presume there may be other systems as well, but I'm always happy to point out purpleair.com as an excellent real-time air quality resource.

In Kamloops, the government has one air sensor in town, and it's in our downtown. There's probably 25-30 purpleair sensors right around our town, and their data is much more useful ( map.purpleair.com is where the real time map is)
@johnefrancis
Real-time Air Quality Monitoring by PurpleAir

Hyper-local, real-time, public air quality map. Visualize PM2.5 AQI in your area for free. Useful to community scientists or air quality professionals alike, PurpleAir sensors are easy to install, requiring only a power outlet and WiFi.

PurpleAir
Show threadRoss of OttawaJun 8, 2023
@kinetix @johnefrancis ha - funny coincidence for me, seeing this comment this week. Was just doing some consulting that I can *vaguely* say involved looking into them and a few others in that space. Interesting things going on there in the coming years.
Show threadJohn FrancisJun 8, 2023
@ottaross @kinetix it's pretty neat, but I think if I were to spend in that range, I'd go for a home seismometer. I think the clay I'm on would jiggle like jello above the Nepean sandstone when there's small earthquakes in West Quebec
Show threadIdeajuice
@johnefrancis @ottaross @kinetix https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vibration-meter-seismograph/id1137580201
‎Vibration Meter, seismograph

‎Vibration meter is an app called seismograph or seismometer, which measures the strength of vibration, quakes, earthquakes, vibrations of the human body or any other objects around you. Our app allows for detecting and recording of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanc…

App Store
Jun 8, 2023 at 2:48amWeb
Show threadJohn FrancisJun 8, 2023
@Ideajuice @ottaross @kinetix so, you just leave your phone glued to the basement floor all the time? I dunno man...
Show threadIdeajuiceJun 8, 2023

@johnefrancis @ottaross @kinetix I have two old iphones

IMU's are cheap

Show threadIdeajuiceJun 8, 2023
@johnefrancis @ottaross @kinetix https://raspberryshake.org/
Professional grade seismograph and infrasound monitors

Detect Earthquakes &
Watch the Earth Move Precision seismic instruments for curious minds. Used by scientists, designed for everyone. Visualize Natural & Human Activity Real-time seismic insights, global earthquake tracking, and detailed ground motion data.

Raspberry Shake
Show threadJohn FrancisJun 8, 2023

@Ideajuice @ottaross @kinetix maybe I can find one of these on eBay.

Cheap modern stuff probably puts it to shame

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Inertial_Reference_Sphere

Advanced Inertial Reference Sphere - Wikipedia

Show threadRoss of OttawaJun 8, 2023
@Ideajuice @johnefrancis oh yes, I used to follow those guys pretty closely. I wonder if the RPi shortage has hurt them very badly.
Show threadJohn FrancisJun 8, 2023
@ottaross @Ideajuice the prices seem to have gone up
Show threadRoss of OttawaJun 8, 2023
@johnefrancis @Ideajuice whew man, They have indeed.