Here are some questions we’re often asked about the OSECHI project.
How do I join? #
We currently use a referral-based system for joining. Please contact us, or reach out to a member at a nearby university or research institution.
Do I need prior knowledge of cosmic rays to participate? #
Yes — you don’t need any prior knowledge of cosmic rays, physics, or programming to participate. This is a hands-on project where you learn by doing. Come join us and have fun.
Is there a cost to join? #
No, there is no cost to join the community. However, costs such as building your own detector are your own responsibility.
Can I participate online? #
Yes, community interaction happens mainly online (via Discord) with members across the country. Workshop participation, however, is in person only.
What age can participate? #
There is no minimum age — anyone can participate as long as they have a working development environment. That said, since taking measurements at home or at school is largely self-directed, we mainly expect participants to be high-school age or older.
Can I build my own detector? #
Yes, the circuit design and component list are published on GitLab, so you can build your own detector from it. The circuit board can be manufactured through an online PCB service (such as JLCPCB). Electronic parts can also be purchased from online shops like Akizuki Denshi, Marutsu, or DigiKey. Some parts, such as the scintillator, can be a bit harder to source. Building one typically takes about two weeks to a month. See the developer guide for details.
Is the detector’s electronics work dangerous? #
No, manufacturing the circuit board itself is done through an online service, so it’s generally not dangerous. Attaching some additional parts by hand does involve a bit of electronics work — please work safely and at your own responsibility. If something seems broken or isn’t working right, feel free to ask for help on Discord.
Can I borrow a fully built detector? #
Yes, detectors built with public research funding are also sometimes available to borrow. Please contact us if you’re interested.
Is measurement data made public? #
Yes, data you collect is yours to use freely in your own research and presentations, including school projects and free-form research, with no restrictions. OSECHI also aims to support open science and citizen science, and we’d like to make everyone’s collected data available for others to use. If you plan to publish results in an academic paper, please talk to us first.
Can anyone hold a workshop? #
Yes, organizers are free to hold workshops at their own discretion. If you’d like to borrow a detector or have a researcher give a talk, please get in touch. We ask that a short report be shared afterward. See the organizer guide for details.