They come in a steady stream: the requests for lost passwords, for aid in correcting a CasJobs query, for insight into the technical details of SDSS photometry, astrometry, and spectroscopy, for help with educational resources and SkyServer, and for general astronomical and database knowledge, all sent to [email protected]. Two or three times a day, they appear in the mailboxes of those on the helpdesk mailing list, representing the hopes and dreams of an astronomer, amateur, student, or professional, to use SDSS data to answer the big questions of the Universe (or at least to get more room on the server).

The helpdesk in action: Ben Weaver making SDSS science possible for
yet another scientist.

The task falls to the volunteers, headed up and organized by Ben Weaver, Archive Scientist at New York University (right). Most questions are handled quickly by Ben, Ani Thakar, Archive Scientist at Johns Hopkins University, or Jordan Raddick, one of our Education Directors, also at Johns Hopkins. Promptness is easiest if the questioners have done us the kindness of including relevant information such as the context or URL they are using and the exact query. Occasionally questions about how parameters were derived or why there are changes between Data Releases requires the advice of other SDSS experts. In this case, Ben sends email to the relevant SDSS mailing list. Excellent answers are gratefully accepted from the wider collaboration, who really do know these data. Our thanks to everyone who has stepped up and contributed to making SDSS data scientifically valuable to an astonishing array of people. Above all, we wish to thank the helpdesk regulars. If you have sent an email to the helpdesk or if you know someone who has sent an email to the helpdesk (and you probably do, trust me), send a cheer their way.