Network 3.6 Future Astronomical Software Environments for data analysis and processing Preben Grosbøl, ESO (Chair)‏ OPTICON Mid-Term Review meeting Corfu, /P2D Outline Objectives and management Progress and Achievements Deliveries and Plans

, P. Grosbol OPTICON MTR Meeting - N3.6 2 Objectives and Management Network on Future Astronomical Software Environments  Emphasis on processing and analysis of data  Establish high-level requirements  Outline software architectural concept  Sketch minimum software interface specifications required Management of Network  Network with 17 regular and 14 associated members Major organizations represented (e.g. ESA, ESO, NASA, NRAO,...)‏ Associated members from North America, Australia, Japan  Monthly phone meetings with minutes  Typically 2 face-to-face meetings per year  Twiki based Web site at ESO for exchange of ideas   lists for discussions  Presentations and posters at meetings (e.g. ADASS and IAU)‏

, P. Grosbol OPTICON MTR Meeting - N3.6 3 Progress and Achievements High-level requirements  Draft document with ~200 ranked requirements (2006Q2)‏  Widely discussed and approved (both in USA and Europe)‏ Internet wide written review (2007Q1)‏  Final version to be released (2007Q3)‏ Architectural concept  Concept document prepared for open review (2007Q3)‏ General consensus on concept, emphasizing  Scalability and modularity using distributed object software bus  Flexible access to VO services and legacy applications Interface specifications  Simple prototypes being made to check minimum interface Marseilles-Milan prototype for Linux desktop NVO prototype planned for distributed computing  First draft specifications (2007Q4)‏

, P. Grosbol OPTICON MTR Meeting - N3.6 4 Deliveries and Plans Final report including: (2008Q3)‏  High-level requirements  Architectural concept document  Minimum interface specifications Future plans (based on Network 3.6 work):  Create steering committee for development of standards Participation of major organizations and community at large Review of standards proposals  Develop set of standards for: Environments for processing and analyzing astronomical data Close collaboration with major organizations and VO  Make reference implementations Demonstrate interoperability (ref. FITS experience)‏ Allow user evaluation  Efforts shared equally between North America and Europe Τό ήμισυ τοΰ παντός πλεϊον (Diogenes Laertius; Hesiod)‏