Is it possible for an amateur to eavesdrop via the net to whatever
large observetories are doing?

For cloudy nights, you know?


Most of the time when a group of scientist is allotted observation time on
major observatory there is an embargo of the data.
Example : a group of scientist write a proposal for time on let say Gemini
telescope or Hubble Space Telescope. The proposal is approved and the
scientists do the obsevation and gather the data. Those data are not available
to the outsider (embargoed ) so that the scientist whose proposal was approved
have the first shot at the data.

Sometimes the data is available almost instanly like when Jupiter was slammed
by the Comet Shoemaker Levy. Even then i believe there are a group of scientist
that got the image before the rest of us does.

With the advent of robotic scope , "Rent a Scope" , CCD imagery and High speed
Internet access like Cable or DSL . IMHO hooking up to a telescope somewhere
else when you are clouded up is going to be routine.

BTW there is really an outfit called "Rent A Scope"

Try this
http://www.arnierosner.com/

Sofjan Mustopoh