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VSX Astronomical Data App for iOS

Revolutionize astronomy data analysis with VSX app on iOS for searching, sorting, and viewing celestial information. Easily filter, sort, and analyze vast datasets for in-depth exploration of the cosmos.

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VSX Astronomical Data App for iOS

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  1. The International Variable Star Index (VSX) on the iPhone • John Rachlin, Ph.D. and Mark McGettrick (co-founders) • Diatom Software LLC • www.DiatomSoftware.com 1

  2. Motivation The Post-Genomic Era: Bioinformatics is a major scientific endeavor driving research in biomedical science and drug discovery. The rise of survey astronomy: current and future wide-field surveys across the spectrum creating massive astronomical catalogues (and exciting opportunities for in silico discovery through data-mining). GOAL: Create a generic framework for converting modest data sets (< 1 million records) into an app for the iOS platform (iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad) that would enable searching, sorting, and viewing of data (with data analysis capability to follow). 2

  3. The Conversion Process The App Core DB GUI Astronomy Extensions SQLite DataBase ReParse Data to “regularize” API [data addObject:[[MDTMetaDataalloc] initWithIdentifier:4 colname:@"ra" displayname:@"Right Ascension" coltype:NUMERIC description:@"Right Ascension (Epoch 2000)" values:nil precision:6 delimiter:' ' multivalued:NO filterable:YES sortable:YES displayable:YES layoutorder:4]]; Meta-Data (Column Descriptors) 3

  4. Filtering • Meta-data defines whether you can filter on a particular column, and how (Multi-Select, Numeric, Boolean) • Number of hits is automatically updated 4

  5. Sorting • Sortable fields are defined in meta-data • Ascending/Descending/Off • Drag to reorder 5

  6. Viewing matches • The summary table provides a sorted list of all matching variables • Key information displayed: name, type, range, period, position 6

  7. Favorites • Establish an observing program by selecting favorites • Future: A gateway to recording observations 7

  8. Visibility: Astronomical Extensions Where to find me on a clear night! 8

  9. Future directions • Record observations with certain fields pre-populated for greater accuracy: Julian date, chart number, AAVSO initials • Data analysis reports, cross-correlation chart generation. E.g., plot period v. amplitude for all RRab type stars. • Store finder charts (iPad recommended) • Plot light curves or other features that leverage AAVSO APIs and web-services • Alert notifications when a star is due to be observed. (User would indicate target observation frequency.) • Red-light / night mode. • Educational content to encourage the involvement of the next generation of variable star observers! 9

  10. When and How Much? Expected Release: November 2010Expected Price: $2 - $4 10

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