The US National Virtual Observatory is intended to make accessing astronomy data from a variety of data archives quick and easy. For the past six years, NVO scientists have been exploring the standards, tools and services that are required to make this happen. There are many prototype tools and services that are now available to help scientists explore and utilize astronomical data at all wavelengths. The NVO will become an operational astronomical observatory in 2009.

NRAO and the Virtual Observatory

NRAO makes all of its non-proprietary data products available to the VO for access by the broadest possible scientific community. Right now, over 125,000 images from surveys using NRAO telescopes, and from processing historical VLA continuum data using automated pipeline software, are now available. This number is continually increasing. Approximately 1500-2000 new images are added each week.

How can I get my spectra or images "on the VO"?

The VO does not provide storage for data products, including raw data, spectra and images. However, the NVO does routinely register images from the NCSA Astronomy Digital Image Library (ADIL) and the Spectral Services for the VO Repository. Any products you publish to these locations will also be accessible using VO tools.

More details are provided in How to Publish to the NVO.

Search the NVO