ASPCS
 
Back to Volume
Paper: Embedded Astrophysics Query Support Using Informix Datablades
Volume: 238, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems X
Page: 229
Authors: Zhang, A.; Handley, T.
Abstract: The ~1.2 billion stars in the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) working dataset provide significant science opportunities and accompanying database challenges. Effective and efficient access to large datasets such as these is an important service of the Infrared Science Archive (IRSA). By embedding domain-specific query support into a query engine, IRSA provides a significant step toward more efficient queries. This paper describes IRSA's new generation query support in which the Informix server has domain-specific embedded query support, e.g., datablades modules with astronomical functionality. The first IRSA Astronomical datablade developed supports coordinate conversions. This Astronomical datablade provides scientists, projects and the public with embedded coordinate conversions among common astronomical coordinate systems. Supported conversions include Equitorial, Ecliptic, Galactic, and Super Galatic, including the conversion between Julian and Besselian. This enables data retrieval with no intermediate or client-side processing steps -- the user retrieves data from the database as usual. This capability is being deplolyed to enhance the current IRSA general query support services.
Back to Volume