A NEW SPECTROGRAPHIC DATA-BASE IS BEING PLANNED!

Another new database? Ah! But this one is DIFFERENT...

WORLD SPECTRA HERITAGE

History, Rationale, Project details

Observational Astrophysics dates back to the latter part of the 19th century when photographic recording of the spectra of stars first became routine. For nearly a century -- until electronic detectors became the detector of choice -- photographic spectrograms accumulated at observatory sites around the world, resulting in a heritage of about one million in total. That material, and in particular (though not exclusively) the 50,000 or so spectra of particularly high-quality, is of vital importance to astronomical research because of the periodic or secular changes that stars may exhibit.
Although many of those spectrograms were measured at the time and used in research to the standards of the day, the techniques were analogue and not digital, so none of the information can be re-used in superior modern analyses, or incorporated in time-sensitive work, or shared by others in the community. The true wealth of that heritage of material is therefore largely untapped, and there is now a growing concern in the astronomical community to preserve the information for the benefit of research and to make it available to the world for both science and education.
Astronomers from quite different disciplines of study have made requests for priority scanning of specific material. Their choices include objects which are by no means rare in our own Galaxy: eclipsing binary stars, stars which undergo minor explosions, stars which mysteriously stop -- or start -- to pulsate, and (in quite a different vein) spectra which show imprints of the Earth's ozone bands many decades before ozone studies began in earnest. For all such studies, historic material spanning a long time base is absolutely essential.
Unfortunately, the change in emphasis from photographic to digital observing has deprived most observatories of the equipment necessary to digitize plates, and much of the essential expertise too. What equipment remains is associated with 1970s technology. An sense of urgency is also creeping into this rescue mission because some of the plate archives are suffering from neglect, bringing the very real threat that lack of appropriate storage conditions will engender deterioration and damage. The solution is to set up an international scanning facility that can take advantage of efficient, well established modern digital technologies.
The World Spectra Heritage has gained the goodwill of the astronomical community, and has been promised valuable equipment, and laboratory space, contingent upon funding. The Directors responsible for all of the major plate archives have offered support and co-operation. Our next and remaining task is to match or surpass these valuable investments with money for the equipment upgrades, laboratory staffing and operating costs.
Our project is expected to run for five years. The laboratory is being headed by a world-recognized expert in the analysis of photographic spectrograms. The operating team will include four or five technicians, and will engage the professional services of a local expert to upgrade the donated equipment with the most advanced technology. Scientific information will be disseminated to the community through the Canadian Astronomical Data Centre, while popular interest in the project will be fostered through its Website and by presentations.