There remain many problems in science for which our understanding is restricted by the requirement for simple human-led data analysis. Such analysis often consists of repeating relatively straightforward tasks, and is thus limited by the availability of people to do the work, and their patience, rather than by a need for expert knowledge and skills. Nevertheless, with apparently no other options, it falls upon expert researchers or students to carry out these tasks, essential to their further work. Usually, though, only a portion of the available data can be looked at, and the remainder must be left unused.
This limitation still exists despite huge advances in computation, both in terms of raw computing power and the algorithms to which it is applied. Many tasks which are simple for humans, often involving pattern recognition, are huge feats for computers. While rectifying this situation is the subject of much active research, it certainly does require a large investment of expert time, as well as funding for salaries and equipment.
The Galaxy Zoo project takes an alternative approach, capitalising on the large numbers of members of the public who are interested in learning about science and contributing to research, but who lack expert knowledge. By involving the public as partners in scientific research, to perform repetitious, relatively simple, but essential tasks, bottlenecks in the scientific process can be alleviated. The result is a greater quantity of refined data for higher-level analysis, more expert time to perform that analysis, and an increased public appreciation of both the specific science topic and general scientific process.
The success of Galaxy Zoo is reflected in the number of scientific papers that it has generated, all of which use the wealth of visual morphological information Galaxy Zoo provides to gain insight into aspects of cosmology and astrophysics. After a general overview of the project I will summarise the results from a number of these studies in two principal areas: the chirality of galaxy spiral arms, and morphology versus indicators of star formation history. To conclude I will look to the future of Galaxy Zoo, and present the plethora of projects which have grown from it.