image: SETI Institute and SkyMapper team up
Credit: SETI Institute
June 17, 2025, Mountain View, CA -- The SETI Institute announced today a strategic collaboration with SkyMapper, the world’s leading decentralized global astronomy and space science network. Together, they plan to deliver continuous, real-time astronomical data to scientists, educators and enthusiasts worldwide.
This network will enable telescope users and sky-observing stations, including the SETI Institute’s LaserSETI, CAMS, and Unistellar programs to receive realtime observation requests from researchers and contribute their data back into a secure, globally accessible database. SkyMapper’s blockchain-based verification will ensure data integrity and transparency for all submitted data.
In addition, SkyMapper will provide SETI Institute access to its database for research, algorithm training and scientific studies, enabling SETI Institute scientists to advance their work in astronomy and space science through advanced data analysis and processing.
“A decentralized network like SkyMapper creates a new way to observe the wonders of the universe,” said Franck Marchis, co-founder and CEO at SkyMapper and Senior Planetary Astronomer at the SETI Institute. “By joining forces with the SETI Institute, we are combining advanced blockchain technology with world-class scientific expertise to unlock discoveries that will advance human knowledge and benefit teachers, their students and the general public across the globe.
Key features of the collaboration will include:
- 24/7 global monitoring via a resilient network of telescopes and sky cameras, eliminating single points of failure.
- Real-time data sharing and a searchable database of astronomical observations for researchers and citizen scientists.
- Blockchain-backed records that ensure transparency and trust in its scientific data.
- Community-driven discovery, encouraging contributions from astronomers, students and scientific enthusiasts around the world.
“Sharing our research and scientific data and welcoming the participation of citizen scientists from around the world is a key component of the SETI Institute’s mission,” said Bill Diamond, SETI Institute President and CEO. “Our quest is for all of humanity and this collaboration with SkyMapper gives everyone the chance to participate.”
As humanity pushes further into space, the need for comprehensive, decentralized and real-time data has never been greater. SkyMapper’s expansive network, combined with the SETI Institute’s scientific leadership in instrumentation, AI-based analysis and public engagement, will drive innovation in research and education.
The partnership is set to accelerate the development of new observation practices and educational programs, further expanding opportunities for engagement and discovery.
For more information about SkyMapper and its mission to democratize astronomy, visit the SkyMapper website, www.skymapper.io.
About the SETI Institute
Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages data analytics, machine learning, and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia, and government agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.
About SkyMapper
SkyMapper is revolutionizing astronomical research by merging cutting-edge telescope technology with Web3 innovation to democratize space exploration. This decentralized network empowers astronomers, researchers, and enthusiasts worldwide to collaboratively observe, analyze, and share cosmic discoveries.