Multi-wavelength data handling in current and future surveys: the possible role of Virtual Observatory

TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges of multi-wavelength source identification in large astronomical surveys and explores how Virtual Observatory frameworks can facilitate efficient data handling and characterization.

Contribution

It reviews key issues in multi-wavelength data analysis and proposes the Virtual Observatory as a solution for managing future large-scale surveys.

Findings

Virtual Observatory can streamline multi-wavelength data analysis

Uniform data analysis is crucial for reliable source characterization

Upcoming surveys will significantly increase data volume and complexity

Abstract

Here we review some of the main issues related to multi-wavelength source identification and characterization, with particular emphasis on the field of X-ray surveys carried out over the last years. This complex and time-consuming process is going to represent one of the main difficulties over the coming years, when significantly larger surveys, both in area and depth, will be carried out with the new generations of space- and ground-based facilities like e.g. eROSITA, WISE, VISTA, Pan-STARRS, and LSST. The Virtual Observatory can offer a reliable way to approach to a new concept of data handling and multi-wavelength source characterization, provided that uniform and rigorous data analyses and extensive quality checks are performed.