yourSky is a computer program that supplies custom astronomical image mosaics of sky regions specified by requesters using client computers connected to the Internet. [yourSky is an upgraded version of the software reported in "Software for Generating Mosaics of Astronomical Images" (NPO-21121), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 4 (April 2001), page 16a.] A requester no longer has to engage in the tedious process of determining what subset of images is needed, nor even to know how the images are indexed in image archives. Instead, in response to a requester's specification of the size and location of the sky area, (and optionally of the desired set and type of data, resolution, coordinate system, projection, and image format), yourSky automatically retrieves the component image data from archives totaling tens of terabytes stored on computer tape and disk drives at multiple sites and assembles the component images into a mosaic image by use of a high-performance parallel code. yourSky runs on the server computer where the mosaics are assembled. Because yourSky includes a Web-interface component, no special client software is needed: ordinary Web-browser software is sufficient.
This program was written by Joseph Jacob of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-3425. Refer to NPO-30556.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
yourSky: Custom Sky-Image Mosaics via the Internet
(reference NPO-30556) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document provides an overview of the yourSky Custom Sky Mosaic Server, a software developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that allows users to create custom astronomical image mosaics via the Internet. The software is designed to simplify the process of accessing and assembling astronomical images from extensive archives, which contain tens of terabytes of data stored at multiple sites.
The yourSky system operates through a web interface (http://yoursky.jpl.nasa.gov), enabling users to specify various attributes for the desired sky mosaic, including the dataset to be used, position on the sky, size, resolution, coordinate system, projection, pixel data type, and image format. This eliminates the need for users to determine which specific images are required for their requests, as the system automatically retrieves the necessary images from archives, such as the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) and the Digitized Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (DPOSS).
The software employs a high-performance parallel mosaicking code to rapidly construct the requested mosaic once the input images are retrieved. It maintains a local disk cache for frequently requested images, reducing the need for tape access and improving efficiency. A priority scheme is also implemented to ensure fair access to computational resources for all users.
The document highlights the significance of yourSky as a component of the National Virtual Observatory (NVO), which aims to provide interoperable access to astronomical data. The software facilitates custom access to sky images, allowing users to study larger-scale structures in the sky than would be possible with individual plates. By providing a straightforward web-based interface, yourSky makes advanced astronomical data accessible to a broader audience, including researchers and enthusiasts.
In summary, the yourSky Custom Sky Mosaic Server represents a significant advancement in the accessibility of astronomical data, enabling users to easily create customized mosaics of the sky without needing specialized knowledge of the underlying data storage systems. This innovative tool exemplifies the integration of technology and astronomy, fostering greater exploration and understanding of the universe.
