Streaming Data from the Universe with Apache Kafka

The field of astronomy is rapidly evolving into a data-intensive science with real-time needs. Apache Kafka® has proven to be an effective tool for managing and distributing large volumes of astronomical data, particularly in the context of transient object detection and analysis. The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), which detects about 1 million changing objects per night, utilizes Kafka as its alert distribution system due to its reliability, ability to handle high-speed data streams, and support for structured data formats like Avro. This technology allows astronomers to collect, process, characterize, and distribute data on transient objects in near real time, enabling rapid scientific discovery and collaboration.