Markarian survey and Markarian galaxies

2020

We present the modern situation in astronomy, where Big Data coming from the Universe put new tasks for catalogizing, storage, archiving, analysis and usage of the scientific information. The two major characteristics of modern astronomy are multiwavelength (MW) studies (from γ-ray to radio, as well as multi-messenger studies, using also neutrinos, gravitational waves, etc.) and Big Data (including data acquisition, storage and analysis). Present astronomical databases and archives contain billions of objects observed in various wavelengths, both Galactic and extragalactic, and the vast amount of data on them allows new studies and discoveries. Astronomers deal with big numbers. Surveys are the main source for discovery of astronomical objects and accumulation of observational data for further analysis, interpretation, and achieving scientific results. We review the main characteristics of astronomical surveys, we compare photographic and digital eras of astronomical studies (including the development of wide-field observations), we give the present state of MW surveys, and we discuss the Big Data in astronomy and related topics of Virtual Observatories and Computational Astrophysics. The review includes many numbers and data that can be compared to have a possibly overall understanding on the studied Universe, cosmic numbers and their relationship to modern computational possibilities.

“…It provides 40,000,000 spectra for 20,000,000 objects at high Galactic latitudes. Detailed description of FBS, SBS and DFBS is given in Mickaelian (2014).…”

Section: Wide-field Telescopes and Their Discoveriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Big Data in Astronomy: Surveys, Catalogs, Databases and Archives

2020

BAO Plate Archive Project

Gigoyan

Gyulzadyan

et al. 2017

We present the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) Plate Archive Project that is aimed at digitization, extraction and analysis of archival data and building an electronic database and interactive sky map. BAO Plate Archive consists of 37,500 photographic plates and films, obtained with 2.6m telescope, 1m and 0.5m Schmidt telescopes and other smaller ones during 1947-1991. The famous Markarian Survey (or the First Byurakan Survey, FBS) 2000 plates were digitized in 2002-2005 and the Digitized FBS (DFBS, www.aras.am/Dfbs/dfbs.html) was created. New science projects have been conducted based on this low-dispersion spectroscopic material. Several other smaller digitization projects have been carried out as well, such as part of Second Byurakan Survey (SBS) plates, photographic chain plates in Coma, where the blazar ON 231 is located and 2.6m film spectra of FBS Blue Stellar Objects. However, most of the plates and films are not digitized. In 2015, we have started a project on the whole BAO Plate Archive digitization, creation of electronic database and its scientific usage. Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO, www.aras.am/Arvo/arvo.htm) database will accommodate all new data. The project runs in collaboration with the Armenian Institute of Informatics and Automation Problems (IIAP) and will continues during 4 years in 2015-2018. The final result will be an Electronic Database and online Interactive Sky map to be used for further research projects. ArVO will provide all standards and tools for efficient usage of the scientific output and its integration in international databases.

BAO plate archive project: digitization, electronic database and scientific usage

Gigoyan

Mikayelyan

et al. 2020

Observational archives are the main source for most of the astronomical studies, as given observations cannot entirely solve any problem and need to be complemented by related observing data both for construction of the time domain, multiwavelength, multi-technique and multi-method picture. This relates to both modern observations and historical ones preserved at many observatories. Therefore, digitization and accessibility of all possible data are rather important. The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) Plate Archive consists of some 37,500 photographic plates and films, obtained with 2.6m telescope, 1m and 0.5m Schmidt telescopes and other smaller ones during 1947-1991 and then by digital methods since 1996. Its most important part, the famous Markarian Survey (or the First Byurakan Survey, FBS) 1874 plates were digitized in 2002-2007 and the Digitized FBS (DFBS, www.aras.am/Dfbs/dfbs.html) was created. New science projects have been conducted based on this low-dispersion spectroscopic material. Several other smaller digitization projects have been carried out as well, such as part of the Second Byurakan Survey (SBS) plates, photographic chain plates in Coma, where the blazar ON 231 is located and 2.6m film spectra of FBS Blue Stellar Objects. However, most of the plates and films were not digitized. In 2015, we have started a project on the whole BAO Plate Archive digitization and its scientific usage. It was aimed at digitization, extraction and analysis of archival data and building an electronic database and interactive sky map. Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO, www.aras.am/Arvo/arvo.htm) database will accommodate all new data. The project runs in collaboration with the Armenian Institute of Informatics and Automation Problems (IIAP) and continued during 4 years in 2015-2018. Later on, the project was renovated for 2020-2021. The final result will be an Electronic Database and online Interactive Sky map to be used for further research projects. ArVO will provide all standards and tools for efficient usage of the scientific output and its integration in international databases.