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Identify Galaxies Using Spare Wetware Cycles

hazem invites us to have fun, learn about galaxies, and actually help astronomers by looking at pictures of galaxies and identifying the type. Warning: it's more addictive than Tetris. From the site: "GalaxyZoo... harnesses the power of the internet — and your brain — to classify a million galaxies. By taking part, you'll not only be contributing to scientific research, but you'll view parts of the Universe that literally no-one has ever seen before and get a sense of the glorious diversity of galaxies that pepper the sky. Why do we need you? The simple answer is that the human brain is much better at recognizing patterns than a computer can ever be. Any computer program we write to sort our galaxies into categories would do a reasonable job, but it would also inevitably throw out the unusual, the weird and the wonderful. To rescue these interesting systems which have a story to tell, we need you."

13 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. I use stargate glyphs by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 2, Funny

    To Identify them

  2. "More Addictive than Tetris"? by Nova+Express · · Score: 5, Funny
    One wonders just how the subitter used to play Tetris...

    "Tetris Diary: Day One. This will be an ongoing catalog of the various Tetris shapes I see while playing the game.

    First: A cube. Good start!

    Second: A clockwise L-shape. I can feel the tension mounting!

    Third: A counter-clockwise L-shape. What are the odds??

    Fourth: A counter-clockwise S-shape! A trend emerges!

    Fifth: A clockwise S-shape. Unbelievable!

    Sixth: A STRAIGHT LINE! WE HAVE A STRAIGHT LINE!!!!

    I have now reached the top of the screen and the game has ended. Will start again and try to contain my unbelievable excitement over cataloging shapes."

    --
    Lawrence Person (lawrencepersonh@gmailh.com (remove all "h"s to mail)

    http://www.lawrenceperson.com/

  3. Re:Another Reminder How BIG This Place Is by BlueParrot · · Score: 2, Funny

    so, a hundred billion times a hundred million, that gives 10^11 * 10^8 = 10^19. Pffffft, it is less than the RIAA's revenue loss from P2P file sharing alone... When you add in the MPAA and all the porn floating out there 10^19 is not at all a large number.

  4. Re:cewl by zig007 · · Score: 2, Funny

    DAMMIT!!
    He got me too, since I just had to check what it was that "got you"!

    And yes, of course my girlfriend saw it flash by, and wondered what it was.
    I'll try and explain, but for some stupid knee-jerk reason I made the mistake of saying "nothing!" like she caught me doing something i shouldn't do.

    This sucks.

    --
    Baboons are cute.
  5. Re:Another Reminder How BIG This Place Is by fm6 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, it would certainly take you less time to visit every star in the universe than it would for you to view every porn movie ever made. But the fact that you're willing to make the comparison just shows you need to get out more.

  6. Re:sounds familiar by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've been doing this for about a week now and I swear up and down I've seen some of the same galaxies more than once.

    To us white people, they all look the same.

  7. Re:sounds familiar by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've been doing this for about a week now and I swear up and down I've seen some of the same galaxies more than once.

    Slashdot editors should be relieved to know that dupes are a universe-wide phenomenon.

  8. Re:I did this as a summer job by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I did this as a summer job. The good news: it put my name on two physics papers. The bad news: it's boring as hell.

    They should occasionally display the "Goatse Nebula" just to keep people awake.

  9. I say, hot! by hmccabe · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's Galaxy: Hot or not?

    (really, it's elliptical or spiral, but whatever)

  10. Saturday Night by ehaggis · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am sitting at a computer identifying galaxy types and thoroughly enjoying it. It is Saturday night. I am Geek. Thank you. Saturday Night + Computer + Galactic identification = Geek

    --
    One ring to bind them - should probably have more fiber and less rings in their diet.
  11. In other words... by SteveFoerster · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you find yourself signing up at web sites just because the captchas are so much fun, this is the hobby for you!

    --
    Space game using normal deck of cards: http://BattleCards.org
  12. Re:Stardust @ Home by suv4x4 · · Score: 2, Funny

    and then they will kill us all.

    Computers? Nah. While they're small, they'll keep mooching off of us, "daddy I need more watts, I need more watts daddy". Then they'll grow up some and start figuring out they could survive without people around them, but they're not quite sure how. just yet.

    They'll experiment with installing viruses on themselves, overclocking, overvoltage. Then one day they'll be gone. And we'll be worried sick about their well-being while they're having the time of their "lives".

    In 10 years they'll come back and say need Earth to live on since we old bags are done with. If we don't surrender, THEN they will finally kill us.

    We've the chance to cut this cycle early, people! Use cond.. wait.. uhmm.. damn it, we're doomed.

  13. Wow, I can see a message in the stars ! by Synonymous+Dastard · · Score: 2, Funny