Virtual Observatory
Encyclopedia
Virtual observatory is a collection of interoperating data archives and software tools which utilize the internet
to form a scientific research environment in which astronomical research programs can be conducted.
In much the same way as a real observatory consists of telescopes, each with a collection of unique astronomical instruments, the VO consists of a collection of data centres each with unique collections of astronomical data, software systems and processing capabilities.
The main goal is to allow transparent and distributed access to data available worldwide. This allows scientists to discover, access, analyze, and combine nature and lab data from heterogeneous data collections in a user-friendly manner.
In addition the IVOA
(International Virtual Observatory Alliance) is a standards body created by the VO projects to develop and agree the vital interoperability standards upon which the VO implementations are constructed.
Also, in the Middle East, there is an online observatory called UniverseAlive. UniverseAlive program is an international collaboration to broadcast universe events for internet users. Astronomy is the most important subject. UniverseAlive helps people to visit universe beauties as near as their PC displays. Also, observatories and laboratories can join UniverseAlive program to collaborate as part of webcast team. They can broadcast their astronomical events via UniverseAlive. UniverseAlive official center is in Isfahan, Iran.
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
to form a scientific research environment in which astronomical research programs can be conducted.
In much the same way as a real observatory consists of telescopes, each with a collection of unique astronomical instruments, the VO consists of a collection of data centres each with unique collections of astronomical data, software systems and processing capabilities.
The main goal is to allow transparent and distributed access to data available worldwide. This allows scientists to discover, access, analyze, and combine nature and lab data from heterogeneous data collections in a user-friendly manner.
Examples
- AstroGridAstroGridAstroGrid is a £7.7M project which built a data-grid for UK astronomy, forming part of the UK contribution to the International Virtual Observatory. AstroGrid announced its first full production release on 1 April 2008....
: the UK's Virtual Observatory Service - Euro-VOEuro-VOThe European Virtual Observatory or EURO-VO project aims at deploying an operational Virtual Observatory in Europe. Its objectives are technology take-up and VO compliant resource provision, building the technical infrastructure and to support its utilization by the scientific community.The EURO-VO...
: the European VO (a partnership of VOs including AstroGrid, the French-VO, ESO, ESA...) - National Virtual ObservatoryNational Virtual ObservatoryThe US National Virtual Observatory was conceived to allow scientists to access data from multiple astronomical observatories, including ground and space-based facilities, through a single portal. Currently, the National Science Foundation funds the information technology research that created...
: the USA's VO - Virtual Observatory, IndiaVirtual Observatory IndiaThe Virtual Observatory India project is a collaboration between two participating institutes. i.e. Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics and Persistent Systems Ltd., Pune...
: the India's Virtual Observatory - Iran Virtual Observatory: the Iran's Virtual Observatory
- Virtual Solar Terrestrial Observatory: Tetherless World Research Constellation at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in conjunction with the High Altitude Observatory of National Center for Atmospheric Research
In addition the IVOA
IVOA
The International Virtual Observatory Alliance or IVOA is a worldwide scientific organisation formed in June 2002. Its mission is to facilitate international coordination and collaboration necessary for enabling global and integrated access to data gathered by astronomical observatories. An...
(International Virtual Observatory Alliance) is a standards body created by the VO projects to develop and agree the vital interoperability standards upon which the VO implementations are constructed.
Also, in the Middle East, there is an online observatory called UniverseAlive. UniverseAlive program is an international collaboration to broadcast universe events for internet users. Astronomy is the most important subject. UniverseAlive helps people to visit universe beauties as near as their PC displays. Also, observatories and laboratories can join UniverseAlive program to collaborate as part of webcast team. They can broadcast their astronomical events via UniverseAlive. UniverseAlive official center is in Isfahan, Iran.
Reference List of VO sites
- Iran Online Observatory
- Iran Virtual Observatory
- UK Virtual Observatory
- Virtual Observatory, India
- US National Virtual Observatory
- Korean Virtual Observatory
- Russian Virtual Observatory
- Japanese Virtual Observatory
- Hungarian Virtual Observatory
- German Astrophysical Virtual Observatory
- Virtual Observatory France
- Armenian Virtual Observatory
- Italian Virtual Observatory
- Spanish Virtual Observatory
- Australian Virtual Observatory
- Virtual Solar Terrestrial Observatory