GRID Links
DATAGRID
"DataGrid" is a project funded by European Union. The objective is to enable next generation scientific exploration that requires intensive computation and analysis of shared large-scale databases, from hundreds of TeraBytes to PetaBytes, across widely distributed scientific communities.
WP 9: Earth Observation Science Application
Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (AVO)
The Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (AVO) Project is a Phase-A, three year study for the design and implementation of a virtual observatory for European astronomy. A virtual observatory (VO) is a collection of interoperating data archives and software tools that utilize the internet to form a scientific research environment in which astronomical research programs can be conducted. In much the same way as a real observatory consists of telescopes, each with a collection of unique astronomical instruments, the VO consists of a collection of data centres each with unique collections of astronomical data, software systems and processing capabilities. The need for the development of a VO is driven by two key factors. Firstly, there is an explosion in the size of astronomical data sets delivered by new large facilities like the ESO VLT, the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), and VISTA. The processing and storage capabilities necessary for astronomers to analyse and explore these data sets will greatly exceed the capabilities of the types of desktop systems astronomers currently have available to them. Secondly, there is a great scientific gold mine going unexplored and under-exploited because large data sets in astronomy are unconnected. If large surveys and catalogues could be joined into a uniform and interoperating "digital universe", entire new areas of astronomical research would become feasible.
EUROGRID
The EUROGRID project is a shared cost Research and Technology Development project (RTD) granted by the European Commission (grant no. IST 20247). It is part of the Information Society Technologies Programme (IST). The grant period is Nov 1, 2000 till Oct 31, 2003. The EUROGRID project will demonstrate the use of GRIDs in selected scientific and industrial communities, address the specific requirements of these communities, and highlight the benefits of using GRIDs.
GriPhyN
The Physics Department of the University of Florida invites applications for a new position as R&D Project Coordinator for the GriPhyN Project at the Assistant or Associate Scientist level (non-tenure accruing), to begin July 15, 2001.
Astrogrid
Astrogrid is a ~£5M project aimed at building a data-grid for UK astronomy, which will form the UK contribution to a global Virtual Observatory. We are part way through the approval process and hope to begin serious work in the spring of 2001. Links below lead to the proposal seen by the Astronomy Committee of PPARC in October 2000. A costed plan was submitted in February 2001 for consideration by the Astronomy Committee and after that by PPARC Council.