Want to Organize Galaxies?

Astronomers are seeking online help to organize thousands of pictures of galaxies.

It might not be playing God, but you can still organize a host of galaxies. Astronomers have images of around a million of them, and are asking for volunteers online to help categorize them. The taskis quite simple – you say whether the galaxy is spiral or elliptical, and, if possible, in which direction it’s rotating.   The pictures were taken with a huge digital camera atApache Point Observatory in New Mexico. Although it seems like a massive task, it’s estimated that with 20,000 volunteers, the process could be completein just a month.   “We’re in the golden era of astronomy,” said Bob Nichol, an astronomer at the University of Portsmouth in England. “Wehave more data than we can assimilate, and we need help.”   Anyone wanting to volunteer can go to Galaxy Zoo to sign up. After a short tutorial youcan start work, although several volunteers will identify each galaxy to prevent errors.