Back to IVOA Theory: Science Use Cases

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Use cases: Comparison/use of evolutionary synthesis models

Description

Case A: A user with deep knowledge of evolutionary synthesis models wants to compare the results given by different grids of models (produced by different developers/groups) for the same set of input parameters.

Case B: A user wants to retrieve an specific evolutionary synthesis model to perform a simple comparison (overplot) with real data.

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primary actor

Case A: Evolutionary synthesis model expert user

Case B: Evolutionary synthesis model standard user

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End result:

Case A: Plot by VOSpec of results obtained from different grids of models with the same input parameters (age and metallicity).

Case B: Plot by VOSpec of results of theoretical and real data.

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Other actors:

Case A: Evolutionary synthesis model server

Case B: Evolutionary synthesis model server, observational data server

- VOSpec

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Pre-conditions

1 Existence of a protocol (e.g. TSAP) that explores (using the "format=metadata" option) the parameter space of the theoretical grid (not known a priori).

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Flow of events

Case A:

1. User logins in VOSpec and selects the corresponding service.
2. In response to the "format=metadata" query, the service sends a VOTable to VOSpec with the parameters

space that defines the grid of models.

1. The user selects the desired parameters, and VOSpec send them back to the

service.

1. The service returns a VOTable with the results to be displayed by VOSpec. Depending on

the server, the results can be obtained from a pre-computed grid of models or on-the-fly.

Case B (includes Case A, plus):

1. The user chooses an observation with VOSpec
2. Models and observations are plotted and normalized to a common scale

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All the information exchange between the synthesis model server and VOSpec is done using the TSAP protocol.

Post-condition

1. Results provided in VOTable format

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Basic assumptions

Synthesis models mix the results of two types of theoretical results: evolutionary tracks and atmosphere models.

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Alternative flows

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Open Issues

1. How to evaluate if the resulting model (final product of a mathematical

algorithm) has a physical meaning? use of cautions, warnings etc...?

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Please add comments below. This area should be used for refinement of the above document. If you want to ask questions or start a dialogue with the author, please use the theory mailing list.

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-- Miguel Cerviño - 27 Sep 2005