Astronomy Visualization Metadata
Encyclopedia
Astronomy Visualization Metadata (AVM) is a standard for tagging digital astronomical images stored in formats such as JPEG
, GIF, PNG and TIFF
. The AVM standard extends the concept of Extensible Metadata Platform
(XMP) headers to include useful astronomical information about the subject of the image as well as the telescope used to take the image. This ensures that relevant information is transferred with the image when it is shared with others. AVM could be considered analogous to the FITS
headers associated with raw astronomical data files.
The standard was proposed by the Virtual Astronomy Multimedia Project, part of the IAU
Commission 55 and the International Virtual Observatory Alliance. It reached version 1.1 on May 14, 2008. The standard is currently used to tag images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory
and the Herschel Space Observatory
. Software packages such as PinpointWCS and FITS Liberator have implemented the standard.
The metadata include information about the creator of the image, the content (including description and subject category), the method of observation (including facility, instrument and spectral information), and the World Coordinate System (WCS) position in the sky.
JPEG
In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
, GIF, PNG and TIFF
Tagged Image File Format
TIFF is a file format for storing images, popular among graphic artists, the publishing industry, and both amateur and professional photographers in general. As of 2009, it is under the control of Adobe Systems...
. The AVM standard extends the concept of Extensible Metadata Platform
Extensible Metadata Platform
The Adobe Extensible Metadata Platform is a standard, created by Adobe Systems Inc., for processing and storing standardized and proprietary information relating to the contents of a file....
(XMP) headers to include useful astronomical information about the subject of the image as well as the telescope used to take the image. This ensures that relevant information is transferred with the image when it is shared with others. AVM could be considered analogous to the FITS
FITS
Flexible Image Transport System is a digital file format used to store, transmit, and manipulate scientific and other images. FITS is the most commonly used digital file format in astronomy...
headers associated with raw astronomical data files.
The standard was proposed by the Virtual Astronomy Multimedia Project, part of the IAU
IAU
IAU may refer to:*International Astronomical Union*International American University*International American University College of Medicine*International Association of Universities*International Association of Ultrarunners...
Commission 55 and the International Virtual Observatory Alliance. It reached version 1.1 on May 14, 2008. The standard is currently used to tag images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory
Chandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is a satellite launched on STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999. It was named in honor of Indian-American physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar who is known for determining the maximum mass for white dwarfs. "Chandra" also means "moon" or "luminous" in Sanskrit.Chandra...
and the Herschel Space Observatory
Herschel Space Observatory
The Herschel Space Observatory is a European Space Agency space observatory sensitive to the far infrared and submillimetre wavebands. It is the largest space telescope ever launched, carrying a single mirror of in diameter....
. Software packages such as PinpointWCS and FITS Liberator have implemented the standard.
The metadata include information about the creator of the image, the content (including description and subject category), the method of observation (including facility, instrument and spectral information), and the World Coordinate System (WCS) position in the sky.
Metadata Categories
The Astronomy Visualization Metadata standard defines a taxonomy for astronomical objects. The main categories are:- Planet
- Interplanetary Body
- Star
- Nebula
- Galaxy
- Cosmology
- Sky Phenomenon
- Technology
- People