Check out Galaxy Zoo 2!

Would you like to get involved in some deep space research? Sound too difficult or like it requires a degree in astrophysics? Not necessarily! You can help astronomers analyze data from your very own home. Galaxy Zoo is a project to classify the galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which covers a large portion of the observable sky. Galaxy Zoo 2 has just been launched and provides some new classification options.



The original Galaxy Zoo asked users to classify galaxies as elliptical or spiral. Quite simple in its goals, Galaxy Zoo gathered an unbelievably large amount of useful data. Now, with Galaxy Zoo 2, astronomers would like your help classifying over 250,000 of the best galaxies visible to us! The new Galaxy Zoo 2 asks not only whether the galaxy in question is elliptical or spiral, but also asks for several other traits, and any "odd" or interesting features. Each galaxy is analyzed by numerous users, so as to make the system more error-resistant.

All you have to do to participate is sign up for a username and password at www.galaxyzoo.org, check out their quick introductory course, and start classifying galaxies by a few simple characteristics!

Clear skies!