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Challenges for Cluster Analysis in a Virtual Observatory

Djorgovski, S. G. and Brunner, R. and Mahabal, A. and Williams, R. and Granat, R. and Stolorz, P. (2003) Challenges for Cluster Analysis in a Virtual Observatory. In: Statistical Challenges in Astronomy. Springer , New York, NY, pp. 127-141. ISBN 978-0-387-95546-9. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20190723-144623682

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Abstract

There has been an unprecedented and continuing growth in the volume, quality, and complexity of astronomical data sets over the past few years, mainly through large digital sky surveys. Virtual Observatory (VO) concept represents a scientific and technological framework needed to cope with this data flood. We review some of the applied statistics and computing challenges posed by the analysis of large and complex data sets expected in the VO-based research. The challenges are driven both by the size and the complexity of the data sets (billions of data vectors in parameter spaces of tens or hundreds of dimensions), by the heterogeneity of the data and measurement errors, the selection effects and censored data, and by the intrinsic clustering properties (functional form, topology) of the data distribution in the parameter space of observed attributes. Examples of scientific questions one may wish to address include: objective determination of the numbers of object classes present in the data, and the membership probabilities for each source; searches for unusual, rare, or even new types of objects and phenomena; discovery of physically interesting multivariate correlations which may be present in some of the clusters; etc.


Item Type:Book Section
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-21529-8_9DOIArticle
https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0208246arXivDiscussion Paper
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Djorgovski, S. G.0000-0002-0603-3087
Mahabal, A.0000-0003-2242-0244
Additional Information:© 2003 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. We wish to thank numerous collaborators, including R. Gal, S. Odewahn, R. de Carvalho, T. Prince, J. Jacob, D. Curkendall, and many others. This work was supported in part by the NASA grant NAG5-9482, and by private foundations. Finally, we thank the organizers for a pleasant and productive meeting.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NASANAG5-9482
Subject Keywords:Membership Probability; Astronomical Data; Astronomical Object; Virtual Observatory; Normal Star
DOI:10.1007/0-387-21529-8_9
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20190723-144623682
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20190723-144623682
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:97364
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:23 Jul 2019 22:18
Last Modified:16 Nov 2021 17:31

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