Abstract: Catalogues are traditionally used as a basis for Earth observation (EO) data infrastructures, and enable informational support for large amount of data archived. Multiple Access Centre for Regional Satellite Monitoring of Environment FEB RAS focuses on using techniques, technologies and tools developed under European initiatives of creating global EO infrastructures to provide an access to informational and processing services for satellite data. A number of last year projects developed or promoted by European Space Agency (ESA) use service-oriented platform of SSE (Services Support Environment). This papers discusses some means used in these projects to create EO data catalogues, and integrate them into united distributed heterogeneous network. Experience of using this means in the Center is presented.

Abstract: The architecture of the Binary star DataBase (BDB) being constructed in the Institute of astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences is described. The purpose of the BDB creation is to join the comprehensive information on binary stars of all observational and evolutionary types originated from a variety of catalogues and databases of binary and multiple stars, as well as to make a convenient tool for work with these catalogues data. We consider the main problems arising in the process of BDB implementation, the methods of gathering information of original catalogues, as well as the schemes of cross-identification of the objects. The BDB is realized on the basis of the Nagare framework (stackless Python/SQLAlchemy/Elixir) and of the Postgresql database management system, its beta-version is available at http://bdb.inasan.ru.

Abstract: Traditional way for discovery of astronomical objects involves investigation, creation and use of new telescopes and observational methods. The creation of Virtual Observatory (VO) allowed to change this scheme, using existing data gathered in the archives and catalogues for the new discoveries. The main goal of the VO creation is to allow the users access to data that were once received, from every telescope in the world to any computer, at any time. Virtual observatory includes:;astronomical data (as archives of space and ground-based telescopes, catalogues, databases); tools for search, data access, and data processing; scientific applications of the results of data processing.

Abstract: Mass identification of a list of radio sources with the sky surveys of different ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum has undoubted interest to astronomers. Identification of the radio sources is not a straightforward procedure because of the different angular resolution, sensitivity limit, coordinate precision  of the radio catalogues, as well as due to the morphological structure of radio sources themselves.

Abstract: International Virtual Observatory (IVO) is a collection of integrated astronomical data archives and software tools that utilize computer networks to create an environment in which research can be conducted. Several countries have initiated national virtual observatory programs that will combine existing databases from ground-based and orbiting observatories and make them easily accessible to researchers. As a result, data from all the world's major observatories will be available to all users and to the public. This is significant not only because of the immense volume of astronomical data but also because the data on stars and galaxies have been compiled from observations in a variety of wavelengths: optical, radio, infrared, gamma ray, X-ray and more. Each wavelength can provide different information about a celestial event or object, but also requires a special expertise to interpret. In a virtual observatory environment, all of this data is integrated so that it can be synthesized and used in a given study. The International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) represents 17 international projects working in coordination to realize the essential technologies and interoperability standards necessary to create a new research infrastructure. Russian Virtual Observatory is one of the founders and important members of the IVOA. The International Virtual Observatory project was launched about ten years ago, and major IVO achievements in science and technology in recent years are discussed in this presentation. Standards for accessing large astronomical data sets were developed. Such data sets can accommodate the full range of wavelengths and observational techniques for all types of astronomical data: catalogues, images, spectra and time series. The described standards include standards for metadata, data formats, query language, etc. Services for the federation of massive, distributed data sets, regardless of the wavelength, resolution and type of data were developed. Effective mechanisms for publishing huge data sets and data products, as well as data analysis toolkits and services are provided. The services include source extraction, parameter measurements and classification from data bases, data mining from image, spectra and catalogue domains, multivariate statistical tools and multidimensional visualization techniques. Development of prototype VO services and capabilities implemented within the existing data centers, surveys and observatories are also discussed. We show that the VO has evolved beyond the demonstration level to become a real research tool. Scientific results based on end-to-end use of VO tools are discussed in the presentation.

Abstract: Virtual research centre of digital preservation in Europe provides a natural basis for long-term consolidation of digital preservation research and expertise. Spatial Data Infrastructure will cover technical methods for preservation, access and most importantly re-use of data holdings over the whole lifecycle; legal and economic issues including costs and governance issues as well as digital rights; and outreach within and outside the consortium to help to create a discipline of data curators with appropriate qualifications. Main tasks of Spatial Data Infrastructure SDI development are building global infrastructure for IT and geodata; satellite information harmonization; usage of agreed upon set of standards; clear documentation describing the parts of the system; interoperability between independently created applications and databases; common standards within their interfaces, protocols and data formats; and finally support of a general data policy for data creation, access, and support of satellite information. Fundamental principle of Russian segment of SDI is providing interoperability – the ability of interaction for heterogeneous services and data catalogues within the bounds of a unified informational system. The Russian segment of distributed informational system has been built on the basis of EOLI-XML and SSE technologies.

Abstract: Modern astronomy experiences a rapid increase of data being acquired in obser-vations or in numerical simulations. Efficient storage and management of these data is a problem as important as the scientific analysis itself. In the article we analyze the reasons behind such an "information explosion" and outline the problems the Virtual Observatory faces due to it – primarily, the development of standards and technologies for accessing the data remotely and in an automated way. We also review the main requirements for modern scientific information such as repeatability of results, versioning, data provenance etc. Obvious solution for long-term storage of such a data is Database Management Systems (DBMS). We discuss how well different kinds of astronomical information – catalogues, spectra, images, time series, simulation results – are compatible to relational model of most popular DBMSs and formulate requirements for specia-lized systems which are optimal for storage and analysis of scientific data.