The DFBS Spectroscopic Database and the Armenian Virtual Observatory
The Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) is the digitized version of the famous Markarian Survey. It is the largest low-dispersion spectroscopic survey of the sky, covering 17,000 square degrees at galactic latitudes |b|>15. DFBS provides images and extracted spectra for all objects present in the FBS plates. Programs were developed to compute astrometric solution, extract spectra, and apply wavelength and photometric calibration for objects. A DFBS database and catalog has been assembled containing data for nearly 20,000,000 objects. A classification scheme for the DFBS spectra is being developed. The Armenian Virtual Observatory is based on the DFBS database and other large-area surveys and catalogue data.
BAO plate archive project: digitization, electronic database and scientific usage
Observational archives are the main source for most of the astronomical studies, as given observations cannot entirely solve any problem and need to be complemented by related observing data both for construction of the time domain, multiwavelength, multi-technique and multi-method picture. This relates to both modern observations and historical ones preserved at many observatories. Therefore, digitization and accessibility of all possible data are rather important. The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) Plate Archive consists of some 37,500 photographic plates and films, obtained with 2.6m telescope, 1m and 0.5m Schmidt telescopes and other smaller ones during 1947-1991 and then by digital methods since 1996. Its most important part, the famous Markarian Survey (or the First Byurakan Survey, FBS) 1874 plates were digitized in 2002-2007 and the Digitized FBS (DFBS, www.aras.am/Dfbs/dfbs.html) was created. New science projects have been conducted based on this low-dispersion spectroscopic material. Several other smaller digitization projects have been carried out as well, such as part of the Second Byurakan Survey (SBS) plates, photographic chain plates in Coma, where the blazar ON 231 is located and 2.6m film spectra of FBS Blue Stellar Objects. However, most of the plates and films were not digitized. In 2015, we have started a project on the whole BAO Plate Archive digitization and its scientific usage. It was aimed at digitization, extraction and analysis of archival data and building an electronic database and interactive sky map. Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO, www.aras.am/Arvo/arvo.htm) database will accommodate all new data. The project runs in collaboration with the Armenian Institute of Informatics and Automation Problems (IIAP) and continued during 4 years in 2015-2018. Later on, the project was renovated for 2020-2021. The final result will be an Electronic Database and online Interactive Sky map to be used for further research projects. ArVO will provide all standards and tools for efficient usage of the scientific output and its integration in international databases.
Parameters for low energy operation of CESR
We present a detailed design for operation of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, CESR, in the energy range covering the /spl psi/ resonances and the Charm and Tau thresholds, as well as reaching to the upper Y resonances near 11 GeV. The addition of 18 m of super-ferric wiggler magnets will partially restore low energy beam emittance and damping times. Installation of superconducting quadrupoles in the interaction region and the addition of high performance superconducting RF cavities will enhance performance at all energies. Studies of optics, beam dynamics, wiggler and vacuum system performance, beam stability, and beam-beam effects confirm operation with a luminosity of 3/spl times/ 10/sup 32/ CM/sup -2/ sec/sup -1/ at 1.88 GeV.