# Pocket Science (pocket.science)

> Pioneering citizen science apps and low-cost scientific sensors since 2012. Millions of users worldwide contributing to real scientific research in water quality, astronomy, light pollution, and environmental monitoring.

## Company

Pocket Science (DDQ B.V.) is based in Heerlen, Netherlands. Founded in 2013, the company develops smartphone-based scientific instruments and large-scale citizen science platforms. Featured in Nature, Space.com, The Verge, and Sky at Night Magazine.

Contact: web@pocket.science | +31-45-20-31-008

## Products

### iSPEX - Smartphone Spectropolarimeter
- Validated dual-capability platform: air quality (aerosol optical depth) and water quality (remote reflectance/Rrs)
- 12+ years of development, featured in Nature magazine (2013)
- Validated at Plymouth Marine Laboratory in 2024 — matches equipment costing tens of thousands of euros for under EUR 200
- Research partners: Leiden University, Plymouth Marine Lab, University of Georgia, Sorbonne, University of Stirling, University of Maine
- EU registered trademark
- Product page: https://pocket.science/products/ispex/
- OSF Repository: https://osf.io/357bk/
- Currently seeking investment and strategic partnerships to scale production

### Mini Secchi - Water Quality Monitoring App
- Smartphone app measuring water clarity and color using Forel-Ule scale
- Part of EU H2020 MONOCLE project
- 900+ devices distributed globally
- Partners: University of Exeter, UNCW, NASA
- Funded by European Union Horizon 2020 and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Available: iOS, Android, Web (https://minisecchi.citizenscience.app)
- Product page: https://pocket.science/products/mini-secchi/
- Publication: Brewin et al. (2025), Frontiers in Environmental Science
- Live data map: https://pocket.science/mini-secchi-map.html

### Black Hole Finder - Astronomical Citizen Science
- Hunt for newly formed black holes using real-time BlackGEM telescope data (15 min delay)
- When 6+ experienced users confirm a candidate, Las Cumbres Observatory robotic telescopes automatically observe it
- Part of the Dutch Black Hole Consortium
- Features: AI/ML integration, multi-language, in-app chat, professional follow-up reports
- Available: iOS, Android, Web (https://app.blackholefinder.org/)
- Product page: https://pocket.science/products/blackholefinder/

### Dark Sky Meter - Light Pollution Measurement
- Measure sky brightness using smartphone camera sensor in standard astronomical units
- Standard version: simple citizen science, free
- Pro version (iOS): observatory-grade accuracy with RAW sensor access
- Android beta: experimental port, free during beta
- Trusted by researchers worldwide since 2013
- Product page: https://pocket.science/products/dark-sky-meter-and-loss-of-the-night/
- Official site: https://www.darkskymeter.com

### Loss of the Night - Star Visibility Mapping
- Track star visibility and map light pollution with naked eye observations
- Free citizen science app (Android)
- Global community of citizen scientists

## Data Platform

Live scientific data platform hosting real-time observations from thousands of citizen scientists worldwide.
- Real-time environmental monitoring data
- Secure Parse Server infrastructure
- API access available for research partners
- Platform page: https://pocket.science/data-platform.html
- Live 3D globe: https://pocket.science/live-data.html
- Platform stats API: https://pocket.science/api/platform-stats.php

## Services

- Custom citizen science platform development (white-label)
- Mobile and web app development
- AI/ML integration and telescope automation
- Data hosting and technical support
- Scientific instrument design and manufacturing

## Key Differentiators

1. 12+ years of field-validated citizen science technology
2. Millions of users across multiple platforms worldwide
3. Direct integration with professional telescope networks (Las Cumbres Observatory, BlackGEM)
4. Research-grade smartphone instruments validated against professional equipment
5. Partnerships with major research institutions (Leiden University, Plymouth Marine Lab, NASA)
6. Featured in Nature, Space.com, The Verge
7. EU-funded research programs (H2020 MONOCLE)

## Technical Capabilities

- Real-time telescope data pipelines
- Automated robotic telescope triggering
- Smartphone sensor calibration (spectropolarimetry, photometry)
- Large-scale citizen science data collection and analysis
- AI/ML model training from citizen classifications
- Satellite ground-truth validation

## Links

- Homepage: https://pocket.science
- Blog: https://pocket.science/blog.html
- Data Platform: https://pocket.science/data-platform.html
- Videos: https://pocket.science/our-work-in-action.html