What is the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST)?

The LSST is a 10-year project from the Vera C Rubin Observatory in Chile that will capture vast amounts of data about the night sky.

How can armchair astronomers help Queen's University Belfast?

Volunteers can use AI and machine learning on simulated data to help identify stars being destroyed by black holes.

What are tidal disruption events?

These events occur when a star gets too close to a supermassive black hole and is ripped apart by its gravitational forces.

Home / Science / Armchair Astronomers Wanted for Black Hole Hunt

Armchair Astronomers Wanted for Black Hole Hunt

30 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Volunteers sought for an online challenge to find stars torn apart by black holes.
A decade-long survey will generate vast amounts of astronomical data requiring AI.
Participants will use machine learning to analyze simulated data for 'tidal disruption events'.

Armchair Astronomers Wanted for Black Hole Hunt

An online challenge is inviting volunteers to help astronomers identify stars being consumed by black holes. Researchers are seeking assistance to refine methods for detecting massive black holes over the next decade. The upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time, conducted over ten years from Chile's Vera C Rubin Observatory, is expected to yield more astronomical data than ever before.

This immense dataset, estimated at 10 million alerts nightly, necessitates the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for analysis. Scientists are calling for 'armchair astronomers' with machine learning experience to sift through simulated data. The goal is to train AI to pinpoint 'tidal disruption events,' where stars are torn apart by extreme gravitational forces near supermassive black holes.