Focus Sessions on “Interoperability of data from major astronomy projects” at the May 2016 IVOA Interoperability Meeting.

The Virtual Observatory is a framework for interoperable and efficient access to astronomical data and services across all areas of astronomy. The IVOA is an alliance of worldwide VO projects that develops the required standards and coordinates global aspects of the infrastructure. The IVOA is pursuing stronger links and participation of major astronomy projects and is organising focus sessions on “Interoperability of data from major astronomy projects” at the next IVOA Interoperability meeting in Cape Town, South Africa on May 10 and 11.

The topics to be addressed by the focus sessions include:

• The identification of use cases and requirements of major astronomy projects for interoperability of their data

• Discussion of VO technologies in the priority areas of multi-dimensional, and time domain data

• What practical measures can be undertaken to facilitate the use of IVOA standards, and to ensure their relevance to major astronomy projects

• Fostering major astronomy projects to become ‘participants’ rather than ‘customers’ of the VO

Focus Session Organising Committee:

Mark Allen, Kai Polsterer, Bruno Merin, David Ciardi, Patricia Whitelock, Fabio Pasian, Pepi Fabbiano, Bruce Berriman, Chenzhou Cui, Enrique Solano, Christophe Arviset, Matthew Graham, Pat Dowler