Astronomy Australia Ltd has contracted Intersect to produce a concept design study and a fully costed project plan on the federation of national astronomy datasets. The final report will present an articulated vision of how Australian astronomers will ideally conduct day-to-day data intensive activities in 3-5 years.
The aim of federation of these datasets is to maximise the scientific return from investment in facilities and position Australian astronomy as a technology leader.
The project plan will consider what current astronomy data strategies exist today, what needs to be done to expand what exists to cope with the expected future astronomy data-deluge, and, most importantly, how to do it. The plan will be delivered by the first quarter of 2012.