LightBuckets was an early internet-based observatory service that began in Rodeo, New Mexico, before later relocating to France. Founded in 2007 by Steve Cullen, it provided rented telescope time, live sky views, and image hosting to amateur and professional astronomers through a commercial platform using research-grade instruments. Its telescopes also contributed to scientific work, including confirmation of supernova SN 2008gr, discovery of at least 17 asteroids, and confirmation of gamma-ray burst GRB100901A. After partnering in 2009 with the International Year of Astronomy, the company underwent ownership and equipment changes in 2011, following substantial customer use from its Rodeo observatories.