The Global Telescope Network is an interesting group I have come across. It is an informal group of professional astronomers, students, observatories and amateur astronomers who are interested in supporting the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, Swift and XMM-Newton space missions run by NASA.
First, let me clarify what these missions are all about.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is a gamma-ray telescope that is sitting in orbit around the Earth. Gamma-rays are rays of energy (similar to light or UV rays) which are the highest energy waves of all. This telescope is able to detect these types of rays, so that we can study them. The telescope is named after Enrico Fermi, who was a physicist who pioneered the study of high-energy physics.
XMM-Newton is also an orbiting telescope, which studies X-rays. The very same rays they use in medical rooms to see inside you. X-rays also have a very high energy, but not quite as high as gamma-rays.
The Swift telescope is an orbiting telescope that is able to detect light in multiple wavelength telescope, with three detectors that can detect gamma-ray, ultra-violet and visible light. The main objective of the Swift telescope is to find and study gamma-ray bursts.
The purpose of the Global Telescope Network is for interested people and organizations to work together to analyze and support the data captured by these telescopes. Essentially, aiding in the scientific research of high-energy astrophysics.
The great thing is that if you have a bit of astronomical knowledge, then they are always looking for volunteers.
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