SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE
Astronomical surveys are the main source for discovery of astronomical objects and accumulation of observational data for further analysis, interpretation, and achieving scientific results. In 1940s-1950s Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS, at present digitized as DSS1) gave more data that it was collected during the whole epoch of astronomical observations before. Similarly, Markarian Survey (or the First Byurakan Survey, FBS) was the first large-area spectroscopic survey resulting at low-dispersion spectra of 20,000,000 objects. Later on, many all-sky or large-area surveys appeared (POSS2 (DSS2), SDSS, etc.). Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) so far has provided the largest database (both photometric and spectroscopic) and SDSS-based virtual sky may be explored for new discoveries. CALIFA gives a new large set of spectra. Gaia and LSST are the next source for vast amount of information. Modern multiwavelength surveys include GOODS, COSMOS, GAMA, and others. The large amount of data requires new approaches to data reduction, management and analysis. We now deal with Big Data. Powerful computer technologies are required, including clusters and grids. Virtual Observatories (VOs) have been created to coordinate astronomers’ and computer scientists’ actions and help in accomplishment of complex research programs using all the accumulated data. International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) unifies 20 VO projects for joint efforts toward handling of Big Data and creation of an environment for more efficient research. The International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) has recently created World Data System (WDS) to unify data coming from different science fields for further possibility of exchange and new science projects.
A meeting “Astronomical Surveys and Big Data” dedicated to 50th anniversary of Markarian Survey and 10th anniversary of the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) will be held on Oct 5-9, 2015 in Byurakan, Armenia. We intend to combine astronomers and computer scientists with heavy involvement of astronomical surveys, catalogs, archives, databases and VOs.
Our meeting will contribute to the following:
- Review and discuss large astronomical surveys to summarize observational data obtained in astronomy
- Give tribute to Markarian Survey and other important surveys
- Review and discuss astronomical catalogues, databases and archives
- Learn about major upcoming surveys (including PanSTARRS, Gaia, and LSST)
- Learn and discuss how large observational data sets are changing astronomy
- Introduce tools and techniques for working with large data sets (including access, analysis, and visualization)
- Discuss the future of astronomical research by joint efforts of astronomers and computer scientists
PROGRAMME
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
Monday, 05 Oct 2015
10:00-10:30 Opening of the Meeting
10:30-11:30 Invited reviews
11:30-12:00 Coffee/tea break
12:00-13:30 Oral contributions
13:30-14:30 Lunch
14:30-16:00 Oral contributions
16:00-18:00 BAO tour: Viktor Ambartsumian museum, 2.6m and 1m Schmidt telescopes
18:00-19:00 Welcome Reception
Tuesday, 06 Oct 2015
10:00-11:30 Invited reviews
11:30-12:00 Coffee/tea break
12:00-13:30 Oral contributions
13:30-14:30 Lunch
14:30-16:00 Oral contributions
16:00-16:30 Coffee/tea break
16:30-18:00 Oral contributions
Wednesday, 07 Oct 2015
10:00-11:30 Invited reviews
11:30-12:00 Coffee/tea break
12:00-13:30 Oral contributions
13:30-14:30 Lunch
14:30-19:00 Excursion to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery
Thursday, 08 Oct 2015
10:00-11:30 Invited reviews
11:30-12:00 Coffee/tea break
12:00-13:30 Oral contributions
13:30-14:30 Lunch
14:30-16:00 Oral contributions
16:00-19:00 Excursion to medieval Amberd fortress
Friday, 09 Oct 2015
10:00-11:30 Invited reviews
11:30-12:00 Coffee/tea break
12:00-13:30 Oral contributions
13:30-14:30 Lunch
14:30-16:00 Poster session
16:00-16:30 Coffee/tea break
16:30-18:00 General discussion and Closing of the Symposium
19:00-22:00 Symposium banquet
There will be invited (30-40 min) and contributed (15-20 min) talks. Poster presentations are also welcome during the Posters session on 09.10.2015 (3-5 min). The final programme will be available on 15.08.2015.
PROCEEDINGS
The Proceedings will be published by BAO. Areg Mickaelian and Tigran Magakian are the editors. Deadline for submission of papers is 31 December 2015. Instructions for preparation of the papers will be given later.
Page limits: Invited talks 8 pages
Contributed talks 5 pages
Posters 2 pages
DATES and DEADLINES
15.03.2015 First announcement and webpage; call for abstracts and registration
30.06.2015 Abstract submission and registration deadline
31.07.2015 Accepting abstracts and selection of participants
15.08.2015 Final programme and list of participants. Abstracts available online
15.08.2015 Accommodation reservation deadline
01.09.2015 Final announcement with practical information
05-09.10.2015 “Astronomical Surveys and Big Data” symposium
31.12.2015 Submission of papers for the Proceedings deadline
31.05.2016 Publication of the Proceedings Book
CONTACTS
URL: asbd.aras.am, E-mail: asbd@aras.am
Areg Mickaelian. Phone: +374-91-195914, E-mail: aregmick@yahoo.com, aregmick@aras.am
Elena Nikoghosyan. Phone: +374-91-783149, E-mail: elena@bao.sci.am
Sona Farmanyan. Phone: +374-55-911307, E-mail: sona.farmanyan@mail.ru
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