KOREA: Korean Virtual Observatory Project
Dr. Bong Gyu Kim
Astronomical Information Research Group Leader
Applied Astronomy Division
Korea Astronomy Observatory
Contact information:
Korea Astronomy Observatory
61-1, Whaam-dong, Yusong-gu,
Taejon 305-348
Phone: +82-42-865-3228
E-mail:y-bgkim@kao.re.kr
URL:http://kvo.kao.re.kr
Until a dozen years ago, astronomers have performed researches on the Universe mainly by using large ground-based telescopes and by some help of space telescopes like Hubble Space Telescope. This fact is still somewhat true, but these days astronomers experience avalanche of excellent quality data since the appearance of large astronomical detectors, increase of the number of large telescopes, and especially development of data-storage and computing facilities. Therefore, astronomers of 21st century are trying to gather all the high-quality astronomical data and make a °digital universe° where they can perform more advanced researches using various data together. This trial is called the °virtual observatory°, which will contain peta-byte (1015) high-quality astronomical data at all wavelength from gamma-ray at highest energy to radio-wave at lowest energy for all the sky encompassing both northern and southern hemispheres. Since these data will contain not only once-observed datum but also data obtained at several times, they will make it possible to study the change and evolution of celestial objects with time. Any astronomer can access the virtual observatory and download the data for research, and even general public can access it to get answer for general questions on the universe and to use for various educational purposes.
The virtual observatory projects are being developed mainly at national levels at about 15 countries including Korea. Korean Virtual Observatory (KVO, http://kvo.kao.re.kr) was started from February 2003 by astronomers in Korea Astronomy Observatory and some universities. KVO became a member of International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA, http://www.ivoa.net) on February 2003. KVO is constructing a national astronomical database using the data obtained by instruments in Korea and by Korean astronomers, participating at the various IVOA activities for setting up the international standard for astronomical data format, and finally will be one of the connection points to the future °International Virtual Observatory (IVO)ĮēŽ
