A collaboration between a leading British supercomputing center and South Africa's National Astronomical Observatory is using artificial intelligence to automate telescope operations, process data in real time and capture fleeting cosmic phenomena such as exploding stars.
The Council's Hartree Center for Science and Technology Facilities and the South African Astronomical Observatory are jointly delivering the Intelligent Observatory Programme, funded through the UK Research and Innovation International Science Partnership Fund. This initiative brings together experts in AI, software engineering and telescope operations to make observatory systems smarter and more autonomous.
Until now, much of the South African Astronomical Observatory's work has depended on small teams manually checking systems and reviewing data – a process that becomes more difficult to maintain as telescopes open up to more astronomers. The program aims to change this by incorporating AI into daily observatory operations.
The collaboration is developing three main tools: a connected monitoring system that alerts teams to potential equipment faults before downtime occurs; Automated data-processing tools that convert raw observations into high-quality datasets that account for atmospheric interference and instrument imperfections; and an AI-powered search platform that lets astronomers quickly locate logs and research papers without having to manually sift through documents.
Dr. Adriano Agnello, the Hartree Center's lead AI researcher and former astronomer, said the program demonstrates how advanced AI can transform scientific discovery. “These tools are an important step forward in the application of AI in observatory operations, broadening access to key scientific facilities, and supporting translational research that can also be applied in industrial settings,” he said.
The smart search platform, hosted at the Hartree Center and built using large language models, is designed to give astronomers quick, reliable answers, even during busy observing nights. In the next phase of the project, the team plans to incorporate documents from the Southern African Large Telescope and apply advanced techniques to further improve the capabilities of the platform.
Professor Stephen Potter, head of astronomy at the South African Astronomical Observatory, said the partnership represents a fundamental change in the operation of astronomical facilities. “Together, we are embedding advanced AI at the heart of our telescopes and data systems, building observatories that are not just automated, but truly intelligent,” he said. “This partnership strengthens South Africa’s leadership in innovative astronomy, while creating powerful opportunities for students and researchers across Africa to engage with cutting-edge AI-powered science.”
The Hartree Centre, based at Daresbury Laboratory in the Liverpool City Region, is the United Kingdom's leading supercomputing center dedicated to working with industry and the public sector. The Intelligent Observatory collaboration was initiated by Agnello and Dr. Rob Firth, both former astronomers now working as AI experts at the centre.
Beyond astronomy, organizers say the observatories serve as effective test beds for technologies applied in industries including manufacturing, energy and transportation – from smart sensor systems to predictive maintenance and automated data processing. The program also aims to reduce barriers to AI and data science education by providing students from historically disadvantaged institutions with hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools.