F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 The astronomical information network

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 Sharing astronomical data : why (1) Major scientific objectives –Long term observations of variable natural phenomena –A large number of objects, complex interactions, many scales Observations with different techniques, at different scales (ground- and space-based observatories, large surveys) Multi-wavelength observations make a significant and increasing fraction of publications

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 Very Large Telescope Planck SPITZER Also: small and medium size ground-based telescope Cosmic background + objects

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 Sharing astronomical data: why (2) Re-using data for scientific objectives different from the original ones, i.e. optimize the science return of large ground- and space-based instruments and of large surveys IUE ( ): five times more publications from data retrieved in the archive than from the selected observing teams (Wamsteker, Griffin, 1995) – a major precursor More than 300,000 queries/day on the CDS services (which are only a part of the global information system)

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 ‘Data’ in astronomy A huge amount of heterogeneous, distributed ‘data’ (continuum): observations, added-value databases (e.g. CDS’ SIMBAD, VizieR), tools, bibliographic data (academic journals, ADS) – also, theory data International partnership to define common standards to share data – e.g. FITS – and links A network of on-line information, which begun soon after the advent of the internet, and has revolutionized the way astronomers work Early, excellent collaboration between academic journals, data centres and archives to build a ‘bibliographic network’

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 The astronomical data network Data policy –Observational data is available after a proprietary period (1 year) –Academic journals (a few ‘large’ journals) Table of contents and abstracts freely available Full content in general available after 3 years – some in open access Some data tables immediately available through data centres It seems easy – it is so easy to do a web page! BUT lots of work behind the scene: Using and re-using data requires –it is properly described –users are confident in its QUALITY

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 From bibliography to data The NASA ADS bibliographic database

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 Access to the data in archives (ESA, ESO, NASA…) Added-value work at the archives to create the links

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 A single view of the tables published in academic journals; Collab. journals + data centres Catalogues and published tables A single standard

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 An homogeneous view of very heterogeneous information in a single service A new paradigm: published tables = data (1993) Additional quality checks in addition to referee Data discovery (Unified Content Descriptors)

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 Courtesy of M.G. Allen One among many available tools: tha Aladin portal to images Unified access to distributed data bases

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 European strategic exercise for astronomy: Astronet Roadmap (2008) The data/service infrastructure is an important part of the disciplinary infrastructure

F. Genova, Berlin 7, Paris, 2 December 2009 The astronomy knowledge infrastructure Science driven information network widely used by the scientific community A model based on open access to data and services (pragmatic open access strategy) A fully distributed model with no central point –Agencies responsible for large infrastructures provide data archives –Established data centres provide value-added services and tools –Now smaller, motivated actors are appearing Links, portals, access tools International interoperability standards: a complex task Mid-term sustainability –Support to archive/data centres –Support to national projects which work on interoperability (VObs)