Science

Join the Cosmic Quest: Help NASA Classify Galaxies with Galaxy Zoo!

2025-05-11

Author: Sarah

NASA is calling on aspiring astronomers and curious minds everywhere to take part in an incredible opportunity! The agency is inviting the public to join its groundbreaking citizen science project, Galaxy Zoo, where volunteers can help classify thousands of stunning galaxies captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

With over 500,000 breathtaking images at your fingertips, this unique project allows you to dive into the cosmos and explore galaxies like never before. Your contributions could unlock secrets about how these celestial wonders have evolved through time, significantly enhancing our understanding of the universe!

Christine Macmillan, a dedicated volunteer from Aberdeen, Scotland, shared her enthusiasm: "This is a phenomenal chance to view images from the latest space telescope. We're witnessing galaxies at the edges of our universe, in the early stages of formation, for the very first time. Signing up is easy—just answer simple questions about the shape of the galaxies you see. Anyone aged 10 and up can join the adventure!"

Thanks to JWST's revolutionary infrared technology, we now have an unparalleled view of the universe that reveals galaxies further away than ever before. These extraordinary images allow us to see how galaxies appeared billions of years ago, shedding light on the earliest moments of galaxy formation, the birth of stars, and the cosmic forces that have shaped our universe.

To streamline the experience, images captured by JWST are processed and uploaded to Galaxy Zoo, where an AI tool known as ZooBot highlights the images that are easier for volunteers to assess. As part of your mission, you’ll tackle a fun set of questions aimed at classifying the shape, structure, and features of the galaxies displayed.

Elisabeth Baeten, a passionate volunteer from Leuven, Belgium, expressed her excitement: "I feel both amazed and privileged to be among the first to view these images! It's a rare opportunity that I won’t take for granted!"

So, what are you waiting for? Join the cosmic quest today and make your mark on the future of astronomy with Galaxy Zoo!