New Database Access to the Astronomical Photographic Data Archive at PARI
Abstract
A diverse set of photometric, astrometric, spectral and surface brightness data exist on decades of photographic glass plates. The Astronomical Photographic Data Archive (APDA) at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) was established in November 2007 and is dedicated to the task of collecting, restoring, preserving and storing astronomical photographic data and PARI continues to accept collections. APDA is also tasked with scanning each image and establishing a database of images that can be accessed via the Internet by the global community of scientists, researchers and students. APDA is a new type of astronomical observatory - one that harnesses analog data of the night sky taken for more than a century and making that data available in a digital format. The Astronomical Photographic Data Archive Database Project improves access and discovery. Our objectives include the creation of a PostgreSQL database that allows access to all APDA plate collections, building the database from logbooks and spreadsheets of collections, providing finding aids; i.e., physical location in APDA (e.g. room, storage unit, and shelf, drawer or box) for each plate and if available, scanned images of plates, envelopes, and other metadata. This project provides open-access to astronomical plate collections obtained from many sources to benefit scientists and science historians providing the opportunities for multi-disciplinary research. The development of the database was funded, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #233
- Pub Date:
- January 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AAS...23335210C