CSI 790 Topics in Computational Sciences and Informatics:

Astronomical Data Analysis Systems and Databases

Lecture 1: Mosaic and the World Wide Web

Goal of the course:

Given a problem, be able to (a) determine what previous observations and interpretations have been made, (b) be able to understand an observational paper, especially the reliability of the measurements, (c) determine the feasibility of a new observation, including signal-to-noise ratios, visibility, and instrumental effects, (d) be capable of writing a proposal to do the observation, (e) understand how to calibrate and reduce the observational data, and (f) be able to effectively present the results.

Method for reaching this goal:

• Introduction to a number of tools necessary for the modern space scientist including networks, data bases, and data analysis systems.
• Use of scenarios in which we take an astronomical observation from conception through proposal writing, feasibility, instrumentation, data analysis, and presentation of results.
• Homework will consist of practical exercises directly related to the current scenario.
• Frequent use will be made of computational systems. Every student will have an account on Tycho during the term.
• The final project will be an observational proposal including a data analysis plan. The class will form a peer review panel to eveluate the proposals.

Overview of necessary tools

• Metatool: Mosaic and the WWW
• Literature searches and metadata
  • ADS Abstract Service (formerly STELAR)
  • SIMBAD Stellar data base
  • NED Extragalactic data base
• Data bases
  • ADS Astronomical Data System
  • HEASARC High Energy Archive
  • STEIS Hubble Space Telescope Archive
  • Other archives
• Data analysis systems
  • FITS Data format standard
  • IRAF Optical astronomy package
  • XANADU X-ray astronomy package Radio astronomy package

Introduction to computer system

• Account on Tycho (tycho.astro.gmu.edu)
• Use of Unix

Mosaic and the World Wide Web (WWW)

• What is the Web; what is a URL
• What is hypertext; what is HTML
• Client and Server
• Introduction to Mosaic
• Surfing the net from Tycho
• Virtual libraries, search engines, gateways, etc.
• Examples

• Find some information on the Web
• due January 30

CSI 790 Homepage