IVOA Recommendation: Simple Spectral Lines Data Model Version 1.0

TL;DR

This paper introduces a data model for describing spectral line transitions, designed to integrate with the IVOA's Simple Line Access Protocol for seamless access to astrophysical spectral data.

Contribution

It provides a standardized data model for spectral lines that supports the Simple Line Access Protocol, facilitating interoperability among data providers.

Findings

Supports seamless access to spectral line data worldwide

Defines objects and attributes for astrophysical spectral lines

Aligns with existing line data providers' information

Abstract

This document presents a Data Model to describe Spectral Line Transitions in the context of the Simple Line Access Protocol defined by the IVOA (c.f. Ref[13] IVOA Simple Line Access protocol) The main objective of the model is to integrate with and support the Simple Line Access Protocol, with which it forms a compact unit. This integration allows seamless access to Spectral Line Transitions available worldwide in the VO context. This model does not provide a complete description of Atomic and Molecular Physics, which scope is outside of this document. In the astrophysical sense, a line is considered as the result of a transition between two energy levels. Under the basis of this assumption, a whole set of objects and attributes have been derived to define properly the necessary information to describe lines appearing in astrophysical contexts. The document has been written taking into account available information from many different Line data providers (see acknowledgments section).