Strong Irish involvement in new global telescope project
Irish scientists are at the forefront of new advancements in astronomy which include the first open-access network of robotic telescopes around the world.
Telescope technology and the internet means that anyone with an interest in astronomy, not just professional astronomers, can access the information from the comfort of their own home.
The community of users will become known as "citizen scientists" and play a major role in analysing images from deep space
David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, outlined some of the data that can be accessed: "There are projects such as studying suopernovae, exploding stars that have helped us to determine how old the universe is.
"There are also hunderds of thousands of asteroids going around the Sun that haven't been accurately catalogued. We don't know how fast they are spinning, whether asteroids spin fast or slow in general.
"It usually takes a long time. With this kind of telescope network, that is a project that you could undertake as a citizen scientist."
Citizen scientists can play a major role in analysing images from deep space.
Mr Moore said: "It is called the Gloria Project and there is a strong Irish involvement in getting it together.
"Anyone that wants to use a telescope around the world but doesn't have a telescope of their own can get involved.
"There is a limited number at the moment, but that is growing all the time. The thing is it could be daylight where you are, but you could use a telescope on the other side of the planet that is in night time, which is great for schools as well."
