Online Help Sought to Organize Galaxies

[dragon04]

I found this article pretty interesting.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">LONDON - Scientists need help sorting through an unusual digital photo album: pictures of about 1 million galaxies.<br /><br />They are asking volunteers on the Internet to help classify the galaxies as either elliptical or spiral and note, where possible, in which direction they rotate. It would be the largest galactic census ever compiled, something scientists say would provide new insight into the structure of the universe.<br /><br />"We're in the golden era of astronomy," said Bob Nichol, an astronomer at the University of Portsmouth in southern England. "We have more data than we can assimilate, and we need help."<br /><br />Astronomers say computer programs have been unable to reliably classify the star systems.<br /><br />Without volunteers, researchers would need years to wade through the photographs, which were taken automatically by a massive digital camera mounted onto a telescope at the Apache Point Observatory near Sunspot, N.M., Nichol said. With 10,000 to 20,000 people working to classify the galaxies, the process could take as little as a month.<br /><br />Volunteers would sign on to the Web site, complete a brief tutorial and pick through one galaxy after another. The galaxies would be identified by several people to guard against errors and pranks, and scientists would rule on any disputes.<br /><br />The catalog would help researchers understand how galaxies form and interact.</font><br /><br />Rest of the article here.<br /><br />Link to the project. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[deapfreeze]

I found this yesturday. It is pretty cool. I have already started. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[mithridates]

Projects like these are exactly the reason why I tend to focus on more general trends like literacy and Internet-using population when trying to predict what the future of space development will be as opposed to just the budget of NASA and a few other organizations. Having more data than we can organize is great; now we just need more regular people interested in space to help out.<br /><br />It would be nice to see the site translated into a few other languages as well to expand beyond just English users. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>----- </p><p>http://mithridates.blogspot.com</p> </div>

 

[mithridates]

My second tip for the site would be to optimize the page for Firefox as well. I like this project a lot and hope they make it a bit more user-friendly. I'll load up IE to take part of course, but some might not be willing. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>----- </p><p>http://mithridates.blogspot.com</p> </div>

 

[heyscottie]

I registered and started today! This is an excellent project.

 

[deapfreeze]

I have no problem using internet explorer for a project like this. I hope we continue to get projects like these where I can be a part of space research as well. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[docm]

<font color="yellow">My second tip for the site would be to optimize the page for Firefox as well. I like this project a lot and hope they make it a bit more user-friendly. I'll load up IE to take part of course, but some might not be willing.</font><br /><br />No need for that, just install the IE Tab FireFox extension which renders FF tabs using IE's engine if the need be. If a page doesn't render correctly you select IE Tab from the context menu and all is well. You can then add the site to an editable list so you don't have to bother next time. <br /><br />One of those FF essentials. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mithridates]

Yes, I used to use that but actually use an IE shell called Maxthon now most of the time when I need IE. An old version of Firefox used to give me problems so I uninstalled it until version 2.0 came out.<br /><br />I've put up posts on two boards not related to space (boards for expats in Korea) as well. One of them spends a strangely large amount of time arguing over Atheism vs. Christianity so I decided I would give them something better to spend their time on:<br /><br />http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=92816<br />http://forums.galbijim.com/index.php?showtopic=2557 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>----- </p><p>http://mithridates.blogspot.com</p> </div>

 

[eosophobiac]

You know, I was able to get through the tutorial with relative 'ease', (she says with some trepidation), but for the life of me, <b>so many</b> of the actual images they want identified look like elliptical galaxies..... Maybe I should just stick with the tutorial and let the more expert folks have at it.... <br /><br />Great to be a (small) part of something like this, tho'!! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[deapfreeze]

If it looks like an elliptical than mark it an elliptical. If you are unsure push star dont know an someone else will look at it. Dont give up. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[rybanis]

What a fantastic site! Feels more tangible and interactive than things like SETI@home <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I, too, have started. I wonder if they could eventually expand this into nebulas/stars/ect...? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

thanks for posting this link!!!<br /><br />im having fun actually having a hand in this. i already do SETI@home (over 2 years now), this is just as cool. i know what she means though; there are a lot of ellipticals. after about 100 by now, ive come across a few i had to squint at. no way to identify blurry blobs. havent come across but one star thus far.<br /><br />anyway, back to the pile i go! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rybanis]

Hah! Just caught my first galaxy merger! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>