Back to IVOA Theory: Science Use Cases

SVO - ESAVO Use case: Comparison of evolutionary synthesis models

Description

A user wants to compare the results given by different grids of evolutionary synthesis models (produced by different developers/groups) with observational data.

---

primary actor

Evolutionary synthesis model user.

---

End result:

Plot by VOSpec of results of theoretical and real data.

---

Other actors:

- Evolutionary synthesis model server

- VO Registry

- VOSpec

---

Pre-conditions

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

---

Flow of events

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

1. User logins in VOSpec and makes a query by object
2. Among the SSA and theoretical services provided by VOSpec the user selects those of interest.
3. In response to the "format=metadata" query, the selected theoretical services send a VOTable to VOSpec with the parameter space (and the associated valid values) that defines the grid of models.This information is displayed by VOSpec
4. The user selects the desired parameters/range of values, and VOSpec send them back to the theoretical service.
5. 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.
6. Models and observations are displayed. Using VOSpec both datasets can be normalized to a common scale.

---

Post-condition

1. Results provided in VOTable format.

---

Basic assumptions

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

---

Alternative flows

---

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...?

---

Originally sent by M. Cerviño - 27 Sep 2005
Last modified: E. Solano - 30 Sep 2005

---

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.

---