NASA wants you to help classify galaxies captured by James Webb Telescope: What is Galaxy Zoo, and how to join |

NASA is inviting folks of all ages to take part in an thrilling citizen science undertaking by way of Galaxy Zoo, the place volunteers help classify 1000’s of galaxy photos captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. With over 500,000 galaxy photos now obtainable, scientists want help to analyse and perceive how galaxies have developed over billions of years. This undertaking permits volunteers to be among the many first to view a number of the earliest galaxies ever detected. By answering easy questions on galaxy shapes, contributors can instantly contribute to scientific discoveries concerning the universe’s historical past.

What is Galaxy Zoo

Galaxy Zoo is a long-running citizen science undertaking that began in 2007. It has allowed volunteers to classify galaxies utilizing photos from telescopes just like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The undertaking has led to quite a few scientific breakthroughs, corresponding to insights into galaxy mergers and the function of black holes.

Why your help issues in figuring out galaxies

The James Webb Space Telescope has produced an enormous variety of new photos that reveal galaxies farther away than ever earlier than. These distant galaxies present us what the universe regarded like billions of years in the past. By learning their shapes, scientists can perceive how galaxies shaped, how they created stars, and how they interacted with one another over time.

How to take part in Galaxy Zoo

To join, volunteers merely join on the Galaxy Zoo web site. After viewing a picture from the Webb telescope, reply questions on its form, corresponding to whether or not it seems easy or has spiral arms. Even rookies can contribute helpful knowledge. Some volunteers have expressed pleasure about being the primary folks ever to see these distant galaxies.

Combining human and AI efforts

The Galaxy Zoo staff now makes use of a synthetic intelligence system referred to as ZooBot. This AI evaluations photos and classifies those it will possibly deal with primarily based on present knowledge. When ZooBot encounters complicated or unclear photos, it passes them on to human volunteers. This partnership between people and AI permits the undertaking to handle the large inflow of latest knowledge successfully.

A unbroken legacy of discovery

Galaxy Zoo has already performed a key function in increasing our understanding of the universe. With the addition of James Webb’s highly effective new knowledge, the undertaking is opening a brand new chapter in area exploration. Anyone involved in area and science can join and make an actual influence on astronomical analysis.