Astronomical Information Discovery and Access: Design and Implementation of the ADS Bibliographic Services

A. Accomazzi, G. Eichhorn, M.J. Kurtz, C.S. Grant, S.S. Murray
SAO

Session ID: T8.04   Type: oral

Abstract:

The NASA Astrophysics Data System integrates a wealth of scientific bibliographic and data resources, originally generated in multiple formats and available from multiple providers, in three discipline-oriented, centralized databases. Search and retrieval of the bibliographies and data sources is possible via a set of World Wide Web forms and interface programs that transparently link the ADS's resources to those of other data providers. The management of these sources and the distributed nature of the datasets to be searched have shaped the design behind the ADS's search and retrieval interfaces. In particular, the desire for discipline-specific features such as astronomical name resolution and synonym replacement has prompted us to design and implement a custom search engine and a set of indexes and hash tables linking query terms and bibliographies to the collection of local and networked resources relevant to them. The approach followed in designing the ADS system is offered as a paradigm for building flexible networked information and discovery systems. The rationale behind the current technical implementation and the planned enhancements of the system are also discussed.





Patrick P. Murphy
Tue Sep 10 22:09:14 EDT 1996