KEYWORDS: Data archive systems, Data modeling, Telescopes, Data storage, Databases, Observatories, Software development, Radio astronomy, Data centers, Human-machine interfaces
In late 2007, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) launched Data Vault, a feature-rich web application
for simplified access to NRAO data archives. This application allows users to submit a Google-like free-text search, and
browse, download, and view further information on matching telescope data. Data Vault uses the model-view-controller
design pattern with web.py, a minimalist open-source web framework built with the Python Programming Language.
Data Vault implements an Ajax client built on the Google Web Toolkit (GWT), which creates structured JavaScript
applications. This application supports plug-ins for linking data to additional web tools and services, including Google
Sky. NRAO sought the inspiration of Google's remarkably elegant user interface and notable performance to create a
modern search tool for the NRAO science data archive, taking advantage of the rapid development frameworks of
web.py and GWT to create a web application on a short timeline, while providing modular, easily maintainable code.
Data Vault provides users with a NRAO-focused data archive while linking to and providing more information wherever
possible. Free-text search capabilities are possible (and even simple) with an innovative query parser. NRAO develops
all software under an open-source license; Data Vault is available to developers and users alike.
KEYWORDS: Data archive systems, Telescopes, Observatories, Data conversion, Radio telescopes, Prototyping, Data storage, C++, Astronomy, Radio astronomy
We have constructed an archive system for NRAO telescopes using mainly tools available in the Astronomical Information Processing System (AIPS++). Since the tools are available to anyone using AIPS++, this amounts to a generic archive capability for any telescope for which the AIPS++ data conversion program exists. The rich tool set available in AIPS++ has enabled very rapid development: our entire effort took no more than about 1 FTE-year. Additional capabilities were required to connect AIPS++ to the web. The system is now being deployed at the NRAO as a prototype archive system for the Very Large Array with deployment for the Green Bank Telescope and Very Long Baseline Array planned for 2003.
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