The Lifetimes of Astronomical Papers and the Completeness of the ADS
Abstract
By counting the numbers of citations received after publication, we can determine how long astronomical papers are remembered. Those from 1955 have a half-life of 71 years and in 1960 it was 25 years. After 1970 the half-life has been a steady 10 years, telling us that astronomical results are now appreciated quickly and then replaced quickly. However, average astronomical papers have been receiving increased total citations. Tests for astronomical journals showed that ADS has a completeness of 94%, although it does not include most observatory publications and books.
- Publication:
-
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019BAAS...51d0207A