Merging the Astrophysics and Planetary Science Information Systems

TL;DR

This paper advocates for integrating planetary science data systems with the astrophysics data system to facilitate comprehensive exoplanet research, emphasizing the need for resource allocation and system development.

Contribution

It proposes establishing a linked information system for Planetary Science akin to the astrophysics system, enhancing data accessibility for exoplanet research.

Findings

Identifies the gap in planetary science data integration.

Suggests leveraging the Astrophysics Data System for planetary data.

Recommends resource investment for system development.

Abstract

Conceptually exoplanet research has one foot in the discipline of Astrophysics and the other foot in Planetary Science. Research strategies for exoplanets will require efficient access to data and information from both realms. Astrophysics has a sophisticated, well integrated, distributed information system with archives and data centers which are interlinked with the technical literature via the Astrophysics Data System (ADS). The information system for Planetary Science does not have a central component linking the literature with the observational and theoretical data. Here we propose that the Committee on an Exoplanet Science Strategy recommend that this linkage be built, with the ADS playing the role in Planetary Science which it already plays in Astrophysics. This will require additional resources for the ADS, and the Planetary Data System (PDS), as well as other international collaborators