AstroCloud: A Distributed Cloud Computing and Application Platform for Astronomy

TL;DR

AstroCloud is a comprehensive distributed cloud platform for astronomy that integrates data management, processing, and access, supporting over 17,000 users across multiple Chinese cities.

Contribution

This paper introduces AstroCloud, a novel integrated cyber-infrastructure combining cloud computing and data management for astronomical research and education.

Findings

Supports over 17,000 users across six cities.

Integrates multiple functionalities like telescope access, data archiving, and analysis.

Heavily adopts international Virtual Observatory and Cloud Computing technologies.

Abstract

Virtual Observatory (VO) is a data-intensively online astronomical research and education environment, which takes advantages of advanced information technologies to achieve seamless and global access to astronomical information. AstroCloud is a cyber-infrastructure for astronomy research initiated by Chinese Virtual Observatory (China-VO) project, and also a kind of physical distributed platform which integrates lots of tasks such as telescope access proposal management, data archiving, data quality control, data release and open access, cloud based data processing and analysis. It consists of five application channels, i.e. observation, data, tools, cloud and public and is acting as a full lifecycle management system and gateway for astronomical data and telescopes. Physically, the platform is hosted in six cities currently, i.e. Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Kunming, Lijiang and Urumqi, and serving more than 17 thousand users. Achievements from international Virtual Observatories and Cloud Computing are adopted heavily. In the paper, backgrounds of the project, architecture, Cloud Computing environment, key features of the system, current status and future plans are introduced.