Galaxy evolution. Galaxy zoo volunteers share pain and glory of research.

doi:10.1126/science.333.6039.173

Paper

Galaxy evolution. Galaxy zoo volunteers share pain and glory of research.

Published Jul 8, 2011 · D. Clery

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Abstract

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has compiled a list of more than 1 million galaxies. To glean information about galaxy evolution, astronomers need to know what type of galaxy each one is: spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, or something else. The only reliable way to classify galaxies is to look at each one, but all the world9s astronomers working together couldn9t muster enough eyeballs for the task. A volunteer online effort called Galaxy Zoo, launched in 2007, has classified the entire catalog years ahead of schedule, bringing real statistical rigor to a field used to samples too small to support firm conclusions. The Galaxy Zoo team went on to ask more-complicated classification questions that led to studies they hadn9t thought possible. And in a discussion forum on the Galaxy Zoo Web site, volunteers have pointed to anomalies that on closer inspection have turned out to be genuinely new astronomical objects.

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Study Snapshot

Galaxy Zoo volunteers have classified the Sloan Digital Sky Survey's 1 million galaxies, bringing real statistical rigor to galaxy evolution research and revealing new astronomical objects.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Galaxy evolution. Galaxy zoo volunteers share pain and glory of research.

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