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A.S. Szalay (The Johns Hopkins University), R. Cutri (Caltech / NASA Infrared Processing and Analysis Center), D. DeYoung (National Optical Astronomy Observatory), R. Hanisch (Space Telescope Science Institute), R. Moore (University of California San Diego), E. Schreier (Space Telescope Science Institute), R. Williams (California Institute of Technology), NVO Team
Astronomy faces a data avalanche. Breakthroughs in telescope, detector, and computer technology allow astronomical surveys to produce terabytes of images and catalogs. These datasets cover the sky in different wavebands, from gamma- and X-rays, optical, infrared, through to radio. With the advent of inexpensive storage technologies and the availability of high-speed networks, the concept of multi-terabyte on-line databases interoperating seamlessly is no longer outlandish.
These technological developments are changing the way astronomy is done. In August 2001, the US National Science Foundation awarded five-year funding to a collaboration ``Framework for the National Virtual Observatory", under its Information Technology Research program.
The project is now ready to present the first few applications, which are aimed at providing simple and commonly used services for most astronomers. The services represent some of the most generic patterns that astronomers need to deal with today's distributed data --``where do I find data that is relevant to me'', ``which surveys have information on my favorite objects''. etc. These services form the building blocks of other, higher level applications, similar to the way IDL or IRAF operate.
The NVO Project is working closely with similar development efforts worldwide. We have jointly formed the International Virtual Observatory Alliance, bringing together the leaders from all such efforts, and have agreed upon on common roadmap for development and interoperability.
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The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: szalay@jhu.edu
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.