Live Casting: Bringing Astronomy to the Masses in Real Time Best Practices

Pamela L. Gay Phil Plait Jordan Raddick SIUE/Astronomy Cast Bad Astronomy/Discover Magazine Johns Hopkins University E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Fraser Cain Emily Lakdawalla Universe Today/Astronomy Cast Planetary Society E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Summary Key Words The way we receive information in today’s digital society has radically changed. Live Webcast Audiences are no longer passive consumers of content, but expect to be able Web 2.0 to access the latest rapidly from a variety of portals and sources. The New needs of this rapidly expanding tech-savvy community are being met by a community of bloggers, podcasters and vodcasters, who use a suite of textual, audio and video content to reach their audience, many of whom subscribe to and follow content they enjoy. These communicators are the new faces of public outreach and , and they are most effective when closest to the action. This desire to bring online audiences into the conference room alongside the scientists and professionals had led to the development of live- blogging. The idea is simple; anyone sitting somewhere interesting only needs a connection to the internet to report their experiences in real time.

Introduction of waiting until after a press conference is technology also extends beyond the press complete, are publicising events conference, and allows scientists and jour- In the internet age, the time between when in real time, “blogging” the details to an nalists to convey the results presented in news is made and when it is consumed has audience through the internet. conference oral and poster sessions. It is shortened dramatically. In the past it might even possible to conduct and stream inter- have taken several months for announce- During today’s press conferences, journal- views and conference sessions, thereby ments from scientists to transform from ists and bloggers with internet-connected allowing the public to participate in a part press releases into magazine articles sit- laptops take live blogging to a new level, and of the scientific process that is generally ting on a newsstand. Science coverage in not only type away as researchers speak, kept behind closed doors. shortens this period to a few making the discoveries known immediately days. The spread of high speed internet to a worldwide audience, but they also In this paper we describe the technology connections has collapsed this period to stream audio and video to an international and infrastructure that are required to just a few hours, with many stories receiving audience, allowing questions from the glo- make live webcasting a reality, strategies wide coverage within minutes of release. bal astronomy community to be asked in for creating content the public will want to the moment. Using portable technologies, consume, and describe the impact of our In 2005 a new trend began to emerge for it is possible to transmit pictures, text, and work. the media coverage of events that unfold even live audio and video streams out to over days or weeks: live blogging. Instead an enthusiastic audience in real time. This

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Technology prevalent software packages today To cover meetings effectively, we recom- are MovableType/TypePad (Trott, 2008) mend having two bloggers per day’s worth Live webcasting is an overarching term and Wordpress (Boren et al., 2008), while of sessions you wish to cover. This means that describes a suite of internet commu- hosting companies such as Wordpress. that if you want to fully blog a meeting with nications pipelines that allow bloggers, com and Blogger.com are frequently used four parallel sessions running at all times, podcasters and videocasters to convey by the public and scientists alike. eight bloggers are needed. In general, it content to the public in real and near-real is rare at smaller meetings for there to be time. This suite includes: text-based (live There are just three elements needed to more than one newsworthy event at a given blogged) content including Twittering, live blog using an existing standard blog: moment, and two bloggers are sufficient. audio content, and video content. In the a person capable of listening and writing following subsections we discuss each of simultaneously, an internet-enabled device The second text-based mechanism for live these technologies in turn. In addition to capable of communicating to the blog web- blogging a meeting is to use Twitter (2008) what is listed below, we also recommend site and an internet connection. We recom- or a similar micro-blogging technology. carrying a digital camera. mend using a laptop computer with both Twitter is a free web-based micro-blog a wireless card and a cellular internet card service that allows users to “tweet” 140 Live blogging available. The procedure is simple: an indi- characters at a time to anyone who sub- vidual sits in a session and translates to a scribes to their RSS-based Twitter feed. The idea of live blogging is simple: an indi- public audience what is being said while an Several NASA missions, including both vidual with a computer or other internet- event is taking place, pushing their content Phoenix1 and the Lunar Reconnaissance enabled device sits at a live presentation to their blog in frequent bursts, often at the Orbiter2, use this service to communicate and makes frequent updates to a website, end of every five-minute talk or after writing updates on their programmes. NASA allowing people to know what is happen- each paragraph during longer sessions. Education and Public Outreach specialist ing in real or near-real time. Since 2005, Stephanie Stockman frequently Twitters the number of science bloggers has slowly One of the greatest hurdles to overcome the content of science conferences under increased, as has the diversity of ways in live blogging is simply getting online. the username Geosteph. Twitter does not require an internet connection: it is possible to tweet via SMS text messaging from any standard cell phone. While being confined to 140 characters makes it difficult to trans- late complex science terms to the public, it is possible to share announcements that include web links easily from anywhere.

Audio- or podcasting

In addition to text-based coverage, audio interviews are also a part of the live web- casting suite. While most often carried out as a series of interviews that are then pushed to the public a few hours (or a day) after recording, it is also possible to stream content via software such as Ustream.tv (discussed in detail in the section Video­ casting). In this section we focus on ways to facilitate audio recording for asynchronous Figure 1. Gay recording an audio interview with Ralph Harvey (left) at LPSC. Credit: Astronomy Cast. transmission. meetings are conveyed. Today, live blog- Many event facilities do not provide internet For live webcasting, the most important ging comes in two basic flavours, full blog access in all the rooms. Many conference characteristics in an audio recorder are and micro blog (e.g., Twitter) coverage. buildings also do not have a good cell recording quality, long battery life and phone signal throughout the facility. We small size. Both Astronomy Cast and the At their most basic level, are RSS strongly recommend working with confer- BBC’s The Naked Scientists use a Roland feeds that contain at least text. RSS, which ence organisers when possible to facilitate Edirol R-09 WAVE/mp3 handheld audio stands for Really Simple Syndication, is online access. Should internet access not recorder and (as needed) an external wired a type of feed that uses the eXtensible be available in sessions, it may be neces- microphone. This device easily fits into Markup Language (XML) to transmit con- sary to blog in a text window, and then find a most pockets, uses standard AA batteries tent in a set format understandable by web point where cellular internet access is avail- (which conveniently also fit into pockets), pages and aggregation software (see Gay able to upload stories between events. and can hold several hours of audio on a et al., 2006, for examples and a complete standard SD memory card. description). These RSS feeds typically The second largest hurdle to overcome appear on a website that updates when the is simple mental overload. Science ses- Once audio has been recorded, it typically RSS is updated with a new story. Any RSS sions often last more than an hour and needs to be processed for online post- feed can also be subscribed to via aggre- can include eight or more talks in that ing, and it may require . The most gation software. Creating such a blog has short period of time. Trying to constantly common issues with raw audio are uneven been made easier by the advent of easily translate presented science content to a audio levels and background noise. Pro- available software and hosting; the most public audience is an exhausting process. ducers typically employ a combination of GigaVox’s Levelator (Sharpe et al., 2008) to either live stream or post to the internet (but not always) a more stable connection to level audio, and one of the following to in a variety of formats. The most commonly between a video camera and Ustream.tv, filter and edit audio: Audacity (2008), Crea- used options in the United States are post- and it also allows one to switch between tive Suites 3 (Adobe, 2008) or iLife (Apple, ing content via YouTube/GoogleVideo, or cameras, use special effects, and stream 2008). streaming it live via the website Ustream.tv. images and the content provider’s com- Both YouTube/Google Video and Ustream. puter’s desktop. This means that one can, The necessity of processing content can tv allow content to be embedded in any in principle, switch between projecting a be one of the greatest hurdles to overcome website. This means that content posted speaker at the podium, and a still image in both audio- and videocasting. This for free via these sites can be seen on from the streamer’s hard drive. CamTwist is process takes time and often requires full any blog once it has been posted and the Mac-only; Webcammax is a similar piece concentration. We have identified three dif- correct links are embedded on the target of software for the PC that is compatible ferent strategies for dealing with production webpage. with Ustream.tv. issues for both. The most straight­forward solution is to bring along a production Non-streamed, or static content, such Implementation engineer, such as a mass communications as YouTube/Google Videos are typically student, to the conference or event and set recorded in 640 x 480 resolution or higher In this section we detail the practical imple- them up to do nothing but production. A with MPEG4 encoding. Audio is typically mentation of live webcasting both from second solution is to upload all content to 64 kpbs mono or 128 kbps stereo. While standard science conferences and from an offsite production team. This solution is this can be recorded using many handheld space exploration related events, such as more time-consuming because it requires digital cameras designed for filming stills, mission launches and mission events (e.g., all raw content — which typically means we recommend obtaining a digital video a mission’s arrival at another planet). large files of hundreds of megabytes in size camera with firewire capabilities and a tri- — to be transmitted over the internet before pod. This type of a camera is more versatile In all instances, prior to attending the con- production can even begin. The third solu- and typically has much better audio qual- ference or event, first work with the press tion is the least effective, but cheapest, ity. Common video production software liaison to make sure the necessary internet and it is to simply use all breaks, lunch and includes iLife and Adobe Creative Suite 3. access and power access will be avail- evening time for production. This solution Additionally, a high-end laptop with at least able. It is also wise to make sure there is is too exhausting for long conferences. A 4GB of memory is recommended. We find an interview room available as part of the fourth compromise solution is also pos- that minimal production and uploading of press suite. Once plans are made, post sible: to have a two-person live blogging five minutes of video takes a minimum of announcements on the project website and team take turns as production assistant 20 minutes. all affiliated websites. and content creator, so that one person is blogging/recording/interviewing while the In addition to posting static content, it is When packing to attend a live webcasting other person is doing audio and video edit- also possible (and sometimes easier) to event, we recommend bringing all the fol- ing and production. stream live content using the same Firewire lowing equipment in quantities appropriate camera. The popular website Ustream.tv to the team size: facilitates streaming of video content. This site utilises the Adobe Flash Media server • laptop computer (we used MacBook and Media Player to create on-demand Pros with 4GB RAM); video channels and corresponding chat • digital still camera with flash; rooms. Ustream.tv takes input from USB webcams and Firewire video cameras and • audio recorder (we used an EDIROL audio from either those sources or another R-09); (such as built in microphones or a Bluetooth headset). A high-end laptop is • video camera (we used a Canon ZR100 Figure 2. Miller attends STS-124 launch. Credit: not necessary, and from experience we with extended 5-hour battery); Astronomy Cast. know that a 1.7 GHz G4 PowerMac with • extension cables; 512 Mb of memory is sufficient. We strongly recommend taking a student • tripod; production assistant with their own dedi- Streamed content is sent over the internet • jump drive, for getting images and pres- cated production laptop to live webcast to Ustream.tv, and is then distributed to entation files from presenters; events and concentrating the student’s viewers. These viewers can interact with efforts on content editing and acquisition of one another and potentially with the pre- • optional: extra laptop battery. “B reel” footage and photographs to use in senter via a live text-based chat room that the background. From experience, we find can be moderated. To use Ustream.tv, it is We actually found it was best to have a that for the most minimal production (add- necessary to have strong wireless signal or spare computer. This can be dedicated to ing intro and outro audio, evening audio a physical connection to the Ethernet. Do streaming video while other computers are levels, processing to correct bit rates, and not try and stream video content without used to blog or perform other live webcast- posting content), each 30 minutes of audio collaborating with conference organisers ing activities. requires at least one hour of production. as the bandwidth demands may be detri- mental to other users. Once technological infrastructure needs have been met, it is time to identify a live Videocasting One way people are solving potential webcasting team, taking advantage of camera-driver issues with Ustream.tv known bloggers where possible. The ideal With the price of video cameras dropping is to use the add-on software package team consists of one or more lead live web- daily, even while increasing in capability, it CamTwist (Allocinit, 2008). CamTwist casters, a network of affiliated bloggers has become possible to obtain video easily serves two purposes: it often provides who will already be attending the meeting

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and who will cross-post their content to the Acknowledgements live webcast feed, a dedicated Biography who will transform press releases into sto- We would like to thank Chris Lintott for his ries (this can be a remote person), and a comments on this paper, and to thank him, dedicated producer (this can be a remote as well as other live webcast team mem- Pamela L. Gay is an assistant research person, but that is not recommended). bers, Rebecca Bemrose-Fetter, Georgia professor at Southern Illinois University Each team member covers a set of specific Bracey, Lance Gibson, Scott Miller and Edwardsville. Her research interests include needs. Lance Walters, for their help making live variable stars and assessing the impact of webcasting a reality. This project was new media astronomy content on informal In selecting content to be covered, there funded through NSF grant #0744944 with audiences. When not in the classroom or are three general categories that should be additional funding supplied through the doing research, she co-hosts Astronomy covered to keep an interested audience: the generous donations of the Astronomy Cast Cast and writes the blog StarStryder.com. science releases most likely to change our audience. view of science; stories that have human Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe interest; and niche stories that match the Today, a space and astronomy news interests and passions of the content pro- References vider, presented with a personal that website. He’s also a freelance writer, with evokes a response from the audience. • Adobe 2008, Adobe Creative Suite several published books, and articles in 3 Production Premium, http://www. periodicals such as Wired. Fraser has also adobe.com/products/creativesuite/ held executive positions in software and production/?xNav=PP technology companies in Vancouver, BC. He’s also co-host of Astronomy Cast. • Allocinit 2008, CamTwist, http://allocinit. com/index.php?title=CamTwist Phil Plait, the creator of Bad Astronomy, is an astronomer, lecturer, and author. • Apple 2008, The New iLife, After ten years working on the Hubble http://www.apple.com/ilife/ Space Telescope and six more working • Audacity 2008, About Audacity, http:// on astronomy education, he struck out audacity.sourceforge.net/about/ on his own as a writer. He has written two books, dozens of magazine articles, and Figure 3. Standard kit includes (counter clockwise • Block, R. 2005, Gizmondo launches 12 bazillion blog articles. He is a sceptic from left) digital camera, video camera, wireless card, audio recorder, computer. Credit: Astronomy Cast. in North America, http://www. and fights misuses of science as well as engadget.com/2005/10/22/gizmondo- praising the wonder of real science. launches-in-north-america/ Summary Emily Lakdawalla is the Science and • Boren, R. et al. 2008, About Word- Technology Coordinator for The Planetary In today’s press-room, live webcasting press, http://wordpress.org/about/ Society. She received a Bachelor’s degree is replacing traditional journalism as the first step in communicating astronomical • Fischer, D. 2008, Private communication in geology from Amherst College and then results to the public. Through new media, taught science to fifth- and sixth-grade large global audiences numbering in the • Gay, Price, Searle 2006 children in Chicago. She went on to Brown tens or even hundreds of thousands can be University to study planetary geology. Lak- easily reached. A single live webcaster at a • Miller, S. 2008, STS-123 - A Space dawalla came to The Planetary Society in science meeting in St. Louis can as easily Geek’s Pilgrimage: Part IV - Launch! 2001, and she now writes for the website reach a user in Africa as one in Chicago; http://www.astronomycast.com/ and weblog, records the “Q and A” segment the internet may have barriers, but it has no LIVE/scottmiller/sts-123/sts-123- on the weekly Planetary Radio show and boundaries. a-space-geek%e2%80%99s- occasionally contributes to the Society’s pilgrimage-part-iv-launch/ bimonthly magazine, The Planetary Report. Live webcasting allows, as no other tech- nique can, our audience to feel more as if • Sharpe, B. et al. 2008, The they are participating in discovery; streamed Levelator, http://www.conversa- Jordan Raddick is an Education and video of press conferences brings several tionsnetwork.org/levelator Public Outreach Specialist in the Depart- hundred extra people into the room, allow- ment of Physics and Astronomy of the ing them to share the moment news was • Trott, M. 2008, Our History, http:// Johns Hopkins University. He maintains broken. www.sixapart.com/about/our-history/ the SkyServer website of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the virtualobservatory.org This ability does not come without a cost • Twitter 2008, About Us, http:// website of the National Virtual Observatory. and we have described above the invest- twitter.com/help/press ment in technology and people that is required. With solid planning, and sup- port from conference organisers together Notes with realistic expectations of what can be 1 http://twitter.com/MarsPhoenix achieved by each team member, the tech- nique is effective. 2 http://twitter.com/LRO_NASA