Jisc’s Janet Network to help astronomers capture the cosmos

Janet, the UK’s world-class National Education and Research Network (NREN), already connects 20 million education and research users, powering UK education, research and innovation. Now it will also help scientists gain greater insights into our universe by transferring the vast amount of data captured by the largest camera ever built, the LSST camera at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile.

The observatory is preparing to unveil its first images on 23 June, capturing ultra-wide, ultra high-resolution images of the night sky. Over the next ten years, the camera will repeatedly scan the skies to create an unrivalled record of our universe, transforming how we learn about space and accelerating advances in astronomy and astrophysics.

The project will generate an estimated 25 petabytes of data annually, with projections reaching 200PB by 2033. To put this scale into perspective, 1 petabyte is the equivalent of 1 million gigabytes, and can hold approximately 200 million 5MB photos.

The UK is expected to manage approximately 25% of the total data volume, which will be transmitted via Janet to participating research sites in the UK for analysis. The high capacity, performance, and reliability of Janet ensures that UK researchers will be able to access and process the camera’s data in near real-time.

UK institutions, including Lancaster University, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Scientific Computing department, and the University of Edinburgh are all key partners in the project. Lancaster and STFC will handle bulk data storage and image processing, while Edinburgh will focus on rapid analysis of transient astronomical events - critical for identifying phenomena such as supernovae and near-Earth objects.

Neil Shewry, director of networks, Jisc, comments:

"The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the data it will generate and the requirement to share with global partners, perfectly highlights the capability and necessity of NRENs globally.

"We work closely with scientific communities to ensure Janet has the capacity and resilience to meet their evolving needs. We’re proud that Janet is powering the future of scientific research, enabling UK institutions to contribute and benefit from such a groundbreaking and ambitious initiative."

Dr George Beckett, project manager, Royal Observatory Edinburgh, adds:

"The Rubin Observatory is a game changer in astronomy. Thanks to the powerful network linking academic institutions and national research facilities, Jisc has ensured we can move the petabytes of data to where it is needed and maximise the opportunity for UK research and innovation."

The Rubin Observatory’s first images are expected to captivate the public and scientific community alike, offering a glimpse into the universe with unprecedented clarity. Behind the scenes, Janet ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of this international scientific endeavour.