Scientific requirements of the VAO SED tool

TL;DR

This paper outlines the scientific requirements for the VAO SED tool, aimed at enabling astronomers to efficiently create and analyze spectral energy distributions for high-priority research initiatives.

Contribution

It defines the high-level scientific requirements guiding the design and development of the VAO SED builder and analysis tool.

Findings

Identifies key scientific needs for SED analysis in astronomy.

Establishes requirements to support high-priority research initiatives.

Guides the development of a tool to enhance spectral energy distribution studies.

Abstract

This document describes the scientific requirements for the SED builder and analysis tool that will be designed and built by the US Virtual Astronomical Observatory (VAO). VAO is the VO effort based in the US, whose primary emphasis is to provide new scientific research capabilities to the astronomy community. The near-term goal of the VAO is to put useful and efficient tools in the hands of research astronomers as soon as possible. The VAO has identified eight major research initiatives that are of high priority, including the science obtained with the creation and analysis of the spectral energy distributions of astronomical sources. This document contains the high-level scientific requirements that will drive the design and implementation of the VAO SED tool.