Avalanche is expanding its reach from finance to space, introducing a network designed to verify telescope data in real-time. SkyMapper's dedicated Avalanche-based network, known as SkyMapper L1, collects data from various telescopes and sensors globally, transforming each observation into a secure digital record.

This process, termed 'Proof of Space Observation' (POSO), provides irrefutable evidence of a specific celestial event, including the time of occurrence and data integrity. These authenticated records can be utilized by scientists, businesses, and government agencies requiring trustworthy space data.

The SETI Institute, renowned for its search for extraterrestrial intelligence, is contributing real-time observational data, marking a significant production-scale integration of institutional science into a blockchain-based verification system. SkyMapper addresses the growing concern of data explosion from satellites, drones, and space missions, and the challenge of verifying the integrity of this data. By leveraging blockchain technology, SkyMapper creates a permanent and tamper-resistant record of each observation, allowing for independent verification. The system functions by validating observations at the moment of capture, cryptographically signing the data, and time-stamping it before transmission through SkyMapper's infrastructure.

Instead of storing data in a centralized database, SkyMapper distributes it across a decentralized storage network while saving a digital fingerprint on the Avalanche blockchain. This fingerprint enables users to verify the authenticity and integrity of the data. The network utilizes smart contracts to organize and control access to the data, allowing for both private and public data sharing.

The result is a system where each observation can be independently verified, enabling users to confirm the source, integrity, and timing of the data. According to Emin Gün Sirer, founder and CEO of Ava Labs, 'We're building blockchain infrastructure for real-world impact. SkyMapper's work anchoring observatory data on Avalanche demonstrates how this technology can transform science, providing tamper-proof and verifiable telescope records.'