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Poster Short Abstract

The Thundercloud Project engages citizens in observing winter lightning in Japan's Hokuriku region using gamma-ray detectors. Participation enhances understanding of lightning and fosters community-science connections, showing how local citizen science can bridge science study and society.

Poster Abstract

The Thundercloud Project is a regionally focused citizen science initiative that aims to elucidate the mechanisms of lightning. The Hokuriku coastal region of Japan experiences frequent winter lightning, providing an ideal environment for such study. However, this unique natural phenomenon remains largely unrecognized by local residents. Since 2021, we have collaborated with citizen supporters to install a compact gamma-ray monitor, named "CoGaMo", in their homes to monitor lightning during the winter season. The project not only contributes to science but also encourages residents to perceive lightning as a regional natural resource rather than merely a hazard. In this study, we explore what participants have gained through their involvement in the project, based on semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys. The findings indicate that participation deepens understanding of lightning phenomena, enhances scientific curiosity, and fosters a sense of connection both to the community and to science itself. Moreover, we describe the development of the project through continuous feedback, technological updates, and the integration of participants' experiences into the research process. This study demonstrates how regionally grounded citizen science can serve as a bridge between scientific inquiry and local engagement, offering insights into the sustainable operation of community-based research and the cultivation of new relationships between science and society.