Worked on the initial prototype for the GAIA global processing with Lennart Lindegren. This work continues at University of Barcelona . The global solution for such a massive dataset (>100Tb) represents an interesting problem from both the Computer science and Astronomy perspectives. The original prototype is discussed in An OO framework for GAIA data processing . Currently this is being extended to a more general system to attempt processing simulated GAIA data (the real data will not be available for several years). Also worked on cost estimates etc. for the GAIA data processing centre with Michael Perryman.I shall now head one of the coordination units for the data reduction.
The NVO is an exciting project to make astronomical data available from disparate providers through a unified virtual interface. Worked on many NVO prototype services and the . Produced both Simple Image Access (SIAP) and Cone Search Services for at STScI. So far at JHU have worked on SIAP and OAI for Sloan (Open Archive Interface).
Also worked on the searchable registry and ADQL/SkyNode.
Sloan Digital Sky Survey / SkyServer
Skyserver is a magnificent tool for exploring the data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Have worked on the the new (DR2) batch query system with local storage and the site in general.Behind the scenes revamped the FITS2JPG converter to use an ASINH stretch to produce better colour images. Also adapted it to produce gray scale images for each band.
Hierarchical Triangular Mesh
Have become the curator of the HTM at JHU. The HTM is a neat spherical partitioning scheme. Initially produced the Java version of the HTM library currently in use on GAIA. Intent to write a C# version also.Produced a Java version of HEALPix, the paper Splitting The Sky: HEALPiX and HTM compares the two schemes.
