Next Generation Sky Surveys: Kick-Off Meeting Introduction Bob Mann Wide-Field Astronomy Unit
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Next Generation Sky Surveys: Kick-Off Meeting Introduction Bob Mann Wide-Field Astronomy Unit University of Edinburgh 1 Outline Logistics e-Science Institute and Themes This Theme Aims Structure This Kick-Off Meeting Aims Programme Summary, conclusions and questions 2/22 Logistics Introductions Wireless Toilets Dinner Tea, coffee & lunch breaks Presentations 3/22 Outline Logistics e-Science Institute and Themes This Theme Aims Structure This Kick-Off Meeting Aims Programme Summary, conclusions and questions 4/22 e-Science Institute Mission “To facilitate the e-Science community” First phase: community building Training events: lectures and hands-on Now: supporting the community Focus on longer-term issues – esp. research Themes 5/22 eSI Themes “A theme typically consists of a connected series of events, visitors and workshops. It has to address e-Science research in a deep and sustained effort to advance knowledge and capability in its area.” Activity focussed on eSI – but not exclusively Initial duration six or twelve months Several extended: demonstrable outcomes Well-supported financially Theme Leaders usually have 50% salary buy-out Significant opportunity for those who make most of it 6/22 Outline Logistics e-Science Institute and Themes This Theme Aims Structure This Kick-Off Meeting Aims Programme Summary, conclusions and questions 7/22 Motivations for this theme (1) Next generation of sky surveys will be different qualitatively, as well as quantitatively “SDSS model” is being stretched & must break SDSS model (c.f. GALEX, UKIDSS, VISTA, PS1?,…) Catalogues in relational database on single server Data accessed via webforms: VO access available, but less well used, as less useful Most users download data to desktop for analysis Large statistical analyses done with downloaded copies But, data volumes will soon be too great for this… (when? – VISTA and PS1 mark the boundary) 8/22 What will be different? Network speed not keeping up with data volumes At some point people will stop being able to download the size of dataset they want to work with Analysis code must be run at the data centre Catalogues too large for a single-server RDBMS Partitioning databases over a cluster poses new problems: not all RDBMS do this well Science drivers changing Time domain – enabled by great increased in étendue Weak lensing – does this fit within standard pipeline? 9/22 Motivations for this theme (2) UK can’t afford all the new surveys on offer Programmatic Review signalled significant change Pace has quickened since then General economic conditions, plus STFC’s own crisis Can the community produce a common view? Roadmap of facilities/missions for STFC Research agenda in preparation for them International dimensions US taking the lead on optical surveys – Pan-STARRS, LSST ESO?...what influence will the ASTRONET Roadmap have? 10/22 Why propose an eSI theme? Range of issues: political, scientific, technical Ideally want to consider them together Many of the technical issues are “e-Sciency” Large-scale data management, data mining,… A comprehensive view will require Sustained interaction between interested parties Engagement with a range of computer scientists An eSI theme seemed the only way to do all this 11/22 Theme Structure Three strands Scientific Prioritisation – Richard McMahon Data Management – Bob Mann Data Analysis – (Bob Nichol) No salary buy-outs More money for events & visits – international Will need your help running the theme! Permanent record Reports on website as well as presentations Journal Special Issue 12/22 Journal Special Issue Permanent record in the literature Much valuable material that is Too technical for a mainstream astro journal Too long for a contribution to ADASS More synthesis than original research Approached New Astronomy Reviews No decision yet, but positive words from editors Likely to be 60-100 pages of substantial reviews 13/22 Theme components Kick-Off Meeting Two public lectures Workshops Format: single topic or combined?...size? Number: ~20 days in total – organisers… Larger meetings: NAM session; closing conf? Visits Bring visitors to the UK Fund trips in return for reports on specific topics 14/22 Outline Logistics e-Science Institute and Themes This Theme Aims Structure This Kick-Off Meeting Aims Programme Summary, conclusions and questions 15/22 Kick-Off Meeting Theme needs community buy-in to succeed Want collective decisions as to scope and content Identify core group to supplement formal TLs Need your expertise, as well as your time! Landscape has changed since proposal time NUAP, FUAP, Ground-Based Facilities Review: (initial) reports due before end of the Theme 16/22 Programme: Four Sessions Next Generation Sky Surveys Pan-STARRS, VISTA, DES, Euclid, Gaia, LSST: (others?) Summarise, plus highlight relevant issues Scientific Prioritisation Intro, ASTRONET review, NUAP/FUAP/GBFR processes Data Management Intro, lessons learnt from WFCAM Data Analysis Intro, weak lensing Planning Discussions 17/22 Outline Logistics e-Science Institute and Themes This Theme Aims Structure This Kick-Off Meeting Aims Programme Summary, conclusions and questions 18/22 Summary We need to prepare for next generation sky surveys Prioritise in which to seek significant role These are Assess technical feasibility of involvement inter-related Identify preparatory R&D work needed: engagement with e-Science/CS community needed for that eSI theme gives the time and money to do this But it needs effort from you to make a success of it: “Ask not what this Theme can do for you…” 19/22 Ideal outcomes from Theme Compellingly justified Roadmap for STFC Signed by a weighty portion of the community Journal Special Issue of solid review papers Much more citable than conference proceedings Demonstrable progress on a number issues e.g. papers acknowledging or based on theme discussions New collaborations & penumbra of engaged CS folk 20/22 Ideal outcomes from Kick-Off Mtg. Agreement on scope: focus on opt/NIR? ~10-15 topics for future coverage Names of likely/desirable participants in each discussion Volunteers to help run theme or specific events Interests of computer scientists likely to engage Clear picture of relationships to NUAP/FUAP/GBFR 21/22 Any questions? 22/22 Session 1: Next Generation Sky Surveys 10.30: Pan-STARRS [inc. transients] (Stephen Smartt) 11.15: VISTA and DEC (Richard McMahon) 12.00: Euclid (Andy Taylor) 12.30: Lunch 13.15: Gaia (Nic Walton) 16.45: LSST (Andy Connolly) 23/22
