Armchair Cosmology: Djorgovski & Williams Examine Virtual Observatories

  • Thread starter Chronos
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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of "virtual observatory" and its implementation, allowing for easier access and combining of data from various observatories. The idea of "armchair astronomy" is also mentioned, where individuals can conduct research using publicly available data and advanced technology. The conversation expresses excitement for the advancements in astronomy and the role of data miners in this field.
  • #1
Chronos
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I thought this was pretty interesting:

http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0504006
Title: Virtual Observatory: From Concept to Implementation
Authors: S.G. Djorgovski, R. Williams

Is this the beginning of an era of armchair cosmology?
 
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  • #2
At our school's astro dept we just hired a new prof whose skills were best summed up as a "data miner" who went through SEDS data and prettied it up, noticed what was interesting, etc. Never plans to actually apply for telescope time herself. Astronomy is changing for certain.
 
  • #3
"Armchair astronomy" has been around for some time now - with both the 'raw' and 'processed' data from so many top observatories in the public domain, anyone with a broadband internet connection, a half-way decent PC, the appropriate software, and time and interest, has been able to do research that only a few decades ago many professional astronomers would have killed for!

The 'virtual observatory' initiatives just make the combining of datasets from different observatories, instruments, bands, epochs, etc a whole lot easier. Long live data miners! :smile:
 

1. What is Armchair Cosmology?

Armchair Cosmology is a term used to describe the study of the universe and its origins from a theoretical or observational perspective, rather than through direct experimentation or physical observation.

2. Who are Djorgovski and Williams?

Djorgovski and Williams are two scientists who have been at the forefront of developing and utilizing virtual observatories for the study of cosmology. They have made significant contributions to the field through their research and advancements in technology.

3. What are virtual observatories?

Virtual observatories are online databases that store and provide access to large amounts of astronomical data. They allow scientists to easily access and analyze data from multiple sources, making it easier to study the universe on a large scale.

4. How do virtual observatories benefit cosmological research?

Virtual observatories have revolutionized cosmological research by providing a centralized location for data storage and analysis. This allows for easier collaboration between scientists and the ability to study larger and more complex datasets.

5. What are the current advancements in Armchair Cosmology?

Some of the current advancements in Armchair Cosmology include the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze large datasets, the development of more sophisticated virtual observatories, and the study of the evolution of the universe through simulations and theoretical models.

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