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.

Abstract: In this work we describe the main notions used in the development of a three-layer architecture system. The knowledge layer of this system contains a knowledge base which is used by the applications for semantic search, integratoin and systematization (partially automatic) of information resources on quantitative molecular spectroscopy. The knowledge base is presented in a form of applied ontologies used for the solution of the above tasks. This article is focused on the interpretation of the notion of "ontology" introduced in the works of N. Guarino.