# MilkyWay@home

> BOINC based volunteer computing project researching astronomy

**Wikidata**: [Q1207862](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1207862)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MilkyWay@home)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/milkyway-home

## Summary
MilkyWay@home is a volunteer computing project dedicated to researching astronomy using the Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) platform. Developed by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, it operates as free software under the GNU General Public License, allowing users to donate computing resources to scientific study.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- **Category:** Volunteer computing project, Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) project, Free Software, Online Service
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0
- **Platform:** Cross-platform (operates on multiple computing platforms)
- **Dependencies:** Requires the Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) middleware
- **Website:** https://milkyway.cs.rpi.edu/milkyway/
- **Aliases:** MilkyWay
- **Supported Operating Systems:** Windows (v1.00), Linux (v1.01), macOS, FreeBSD
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of MilkyWay@home?
A: MilkyWay@home is a scientific research project that uses volunteer computing to conduct astronomy research. It utilizes the BOINC platform to distribute tasks to user-donated computers.

### Q: Who developed and maintains MilkyWay@home?
A: The project was developed by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

### Q: What software is required to run MilkyWay@home?
A: The project requires the Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) middleware to run. It is cross-platform software compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD.

### Q: Is MilkyWay@home free to use?
A: Yes, it is distributed as free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.

## Why It Matters
MilkyWay@home represents a significant application of distributed computing in the field of astronomy. By leveraging the Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC), the project bypasses the need for a centralized supercomputer, instead utilizing a "volunteer computing" model where users donate idle computer resources to process data. This approach democratizes scientific research, allowing the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to access vast amounts of computing power that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive or technically difficult to obtain.

The project serves as a key example of how open-source tools (specifically BOINC, which inceptioned in 2002) can be used to facilitate complex academic research. As a cross-platform application available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, it ensures broad accessibility for volunteers worldwide. Its classification as free software under the GNU General Public License further emphasizes its commitment to open science, allowing users to study, change, and distribute the software while contributing to the advancement of astronomical knowledge.

## Notable For
- **Astronomy Research via BOINC:** It is a specialized application of the BOINC middleware specifically targeted at astronomical data analysis.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** The project supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD.
- **Open Source Commitment:** It is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0, adhering to the principles of free software.
- **Academic Affiliation:** The project is developed and maintained by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a notable technical research university.

## Body
### Overview and Function
MilkyWay@home is an instance of a volunteer computing system. This model relies on a system where users donate computer resources to contribute to research. Specifically, the project focuses on researching astronomy. It functions as an online service that distributes computational tasks to a network of volunteer computers.

### Technical Architecture
The project relies on the **Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC)**, an open-source middleware system for volunteer and grid computing that was originally released on April 10, 2002. MilkyWay@home is classified as one of the "Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing projects" and lists BOINC as a software dependency.

The software is characterized as **cross-platform**, meaning it is capable of being implemented and operating on multiple computing platforms. Specific versions and operating system support include:
-   Windows (Version 1.00)
-   Linux (Version 1.01)
-   macOS
-   FreeBSD

### Licensing and Development
MilkyWay@home is classified as **free software**, distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it. The specific license is the **GNU General Public License, version 3.0**. Despite its free distribution, the project maintains a "copyrighted" status. The entity behind the development and maintenance of the project is the **Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute**.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013