Network 3.6Future Astronomical Software Environments

for data analysis and processing

Preben Grosbøl, ESO (Chair)

OPTICON Mid-Term Review meetingCorfu, 2007-09-10/P2D

Outline Objectives and management Progress and Achievements Deliveries and Plans

2007-09-10, 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

http://archive.eso.org/opticon/twiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome E-mail lists for discussions Presentations and posters at meetings (e.g. ADASS and IAU)

2007-09-10, 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)

2007-09-10, 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)