GLORIA has succeeded in building up the first large scale network of free access robotic telescopes. Since October 2011, the project has supported citizen science by allowing users to take images and actively participate to the scientific exploration of space.
The project gives access to 14 telescopes located around the world for both professional and amateur astronomers; they can use the telescopes, conduct experiments and use the results according to their needs.
Education is an important component of the project: schools in Europe have for example been able to use the telescopes during the day to study the night sky on the other side of the world, in real-time. The project has also produced a package of education material for schools and science teachers.
Over the last 3 years, GLORIA has broadcasted 7 major astronomical events such as auroras and lunar and solar eclipses, gathering more than 400.000 spectators from around the globe.
Another dimension of the project is art and how it can be linked to science to make the astronomy project speak to all. In a Personal Space, we can discover what part of the night sky was directly over our head at any significant moment in our life and if any significant astronomical, political or historical event took place at the same time. The Personal Space is an Art-Science collaboration by artist Emer O Boyle and astronomers Lorraine Hanlon, Martin Topinka and Rob Simpson
Many interesting videos of the events are available.