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Armchair Astronomers Wanted for Black Hole Hunt
30 Dec, 2025
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'.
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.
These tidal disruption events are crucial for understanding black hole properties that are otherwise difficult to observe. By analyzing simulations and enlisting global help, scientists hope to discover thousands of these events and further unravel the universe's mysteries. The competition offers a top prize of 1,000 euro.
