A global constellation of telescopes for research and education
September 2026
The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded $874,000 through its Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation program to deploy and harden Skynet 2, onboard committed telescopes, and integrate the network with time-domain event brokers. More than 100 telescopes across six continents have already committed to join, with onboarding running in waves through 2029.
Read moreExplore the universe with a network that brings together telescopes from around the globe — accessible to everyone from students to seasoned astronomers. Skynet's range of optical and radio instrumentation grows with each new addition.
Tools, data pipelines, and resources that make observations easy for both learning and research.
A user-friendly platform that simplifies telescope access, observation management, and data analysis.
Time-sensitive events benefit from Skynet's global reach — for both professional and citizen astronomers.
Telescope owners maximize efficiency, streamline operations, and maintain optimal performance across their equipment.
Driven by its community, Skynet continually expands, inviting new telescopes and partners to empower more people.
Connects institutions and researchers worldwide, breaking down barriers for shared discovery.
Skynet is proud to collaborate with leading institutions and observatories worldwide.
ALL-IN-ONE
Telescope owners can efficiently manage their telescopes’ time and provide access to users both within their community and beyond.
Observers can specify their data requirements and be assured that Skynet will match their request to the most suitable hardware.
Facilitate partnerships within your organization as well as with external researchers, educators, and institutions worldwide.
Leverage Skynet’s tools to process and analyze data, turning observations into impactful discoveries.
Skynet's work is made possible through the generous funding of our sponsors, whose support drives innovation and accessibility in astronomical research and education.
Skynet's current platform was built with a $3M U.S. Department of Defense National Defense Education Program award, and its deployment, telescope onboarding, and event-broker integration are funded by a $874K U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation award. Skynet's southern observing capability was built with support from the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Foundation, and its work on the orbits of Earth-threatening asteroids has been supported by NASA.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
