Perspectives

On-going developement

On top of the recurrent actions (calibration reduction, public data and on-request PI data reduction, updating of database, …), several developments are on-going:

  • extended SPHERE data reduction including more observing modes: catching up with all ZIMPOL data, IRDIS polarised data (end 2024-2025)
  • improved functionalities and services:
    • improved functionalities such as plots or more API tools, in DIVA+   (end 2024-2025)
    • Service of orbital parameters fit on request » (end 2024) 
    • DOI for a  better referencing of the data sets, and access through Virtual Observatory portal  (2025)

The current centre infrastructure and support also make possible to include additional large data sets (either already existing large data set with novel data reduction approaches or future data) , with the benefit of efficient tools to support large data set processing, larger impact of the scientific analysis, and FAIR usage for a large community. Discussions can be initiated on a case by case basis, to optimize the potential synergies between data reduction teams, instrument development and the data center team, with due recognition of all contributors.

Updated analysis of large data sets, using novel data processing methods:

Novel data processing methods motivates a vivid research in general, and in particular in high contrast imaging. Newly proposed algorithms are usually published based on initial tests on a limited data sample. The application on large data sets as can be efficiently possible through the data center may provide a strongly enhanced value and impact of such a scientific work as i/ it provides a very powerful way to compare (and possibly address limitations or improve) the performance to alternative approaches in a large number of conditions, and ii/ it allows to produce and dissiminate a large number of results.

The project to apply the PACO algorithm (Flasseur et al. 2018, 2020a, 2020b , Chomez et al 2023) massively on all SPHERE/IRDIS and IFS data is on-going (release ~2025) .  The application of other interesting algorithms, on large or specific parts of public data, can similarly be considered.

Including data from other/future instruments

Additionally, the center is open to consider the data from other/future instruments. The scope of such an extension is to be discussed according to the scientific relevance, feasibility and of course interest and will of the instrument teams. It could be limited to the inclusion of the fully reduced data (within an homogeneous format) within the DIVA+ data base ; it could also include, with additional resource, the capability to contribute to the massive data processing. In either case, the data center should provide an added service or value, and is not supposed to replace nor duplicate the irreplaceable and specific instrument data reduction recipes developed within the consortia.

In particular, all first light ELT instrument do include high contrast observing modes: METIS, MICADO and HARMONI. Eventhough the scientific exploitation of these instruments is still years away, preparation ahead of operations is needed if some role of the data center were identified as beneficial. Such a possibility has for instance been mentioned in conference AO4ELT7 (June 2023, Mouillet et al).  Contacts are being made in order to evaluate such a possibility. Such contacts should include the experts of these high contrast modes, the consortia responsibles, and also the ESO organization, for the data management services and also the inter-instrument ELT working groups and in particular the one dedicated to high contrast.