The final version (3.0) of the Montage software has been released. To recapitulate from previous NASA Tech Briefs articles about Montage: This software generates custom, science-grade mosaics of astronomical images on demand from input files that comply with the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) standard and contain image data registered on projections that comply with the World Coordinate System (WCS) standards. This software can be executed on single-processor computers, multi-processor computers, and such networks of geographically dispersed computers as the National Science Foundation's TeraGrid or NASA's Information Power Grid. The primary advantage of running Montage in a grid environment is that computations can be done on a remote supercomputer for efficiency. Multiple computers at different sites can be used for different parts of a computation — a significant advantage in cases of computations for large mosaics that demand more processor time than is available at any one site. Version 3.0 incorporates several improvements over prior versions. The most significant improvement is that this version is accessible to scientists located anywhere, through operational Web services that provide access to data from several large astronomical surveys and construct mosaics on either local workstations or remote computational grids as needed.
This program was written by Joseph Jacob, Daniel Katz, Thomas Prince, Graham Berriman, John Good, and Anastasia Laity of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-2827. Refer to NPO-41962.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Montage version 3.0
(reference NPO-41962) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document is a Software Reporting Form excerpt from the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), specifically detailing the software application "Montage Version 3.0." It outlines the software's development, dissemination requirements, and technical support information.
Montage is a software application funded by NASA, with a specific project and task order number provided for tracking purposes. The development costs are estimated at $1,000,000, and the software is designed to meet strict guidelines for astrometric and photometric accuracy in creating mosaic products. The document emphasizes the importance of disseminating this software, indicating that there is a mission or programmatic requirement to do so.
The dissemination process is governed by formal agreements, specifically mentioning a collaboration with the NASA Earth Sciences Technology Office under Cooperative Agreement Notice NCC 5-6261. The document states that JPL-developed software is typically disseminated through the Open Channel Software Foundation, which has an agreement with Caltech to host JPL software. However, in this case, the software will be disseminated via the project web page at http://montage.ipac.caltech.edu, as there is a contractual obligation to do so.
The document also provides guidance on the procedures for disseminating JPL-developed software, referencing specific rules and forms that must be completed. It highlights the need for contributors to assist in preparing the software's web presence and to provide ongoing support, such as bug fixes and additional information.
Furthermore, the document includes contact information for key personnel involved in the project, such as James Fischer from NASA/GSFC, and outlines the advantages of the software over existing alternatives, although specific details on these advantages are not provided in the excerpt.
Overall, the document serves as a formal record of the software's development, funding, and dissemination requirements, ensuring compliance with NASA's guidelines and facilitating the software's availability for broader technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
