Astrographic Information Systems (AIS)

Ovidiu Anicai
Institute for Computers
167 Calea Floreasca
tel.: +40723357251, fax: +40212320468
E-mail: oanicai@itcnet.ro

Abstract

Historically, humans have learned to express knowledge and share it through many abstract forms. We continually explain our human experience and collective understanding using these abstractions-summaries of the larger body of knowledge. Abstractions (text, hieroglyphics, language, mathematics, music and art, drawings, images, maps) are used to record and communicate our culture and civilization. When deployed with a clear strategy, abstactions can change an culture fundamentally and positively. Astrography is information about the universe's "surface" and the objects found on it, as well as a framework for organizing knowledge.

AIS will be a technology that will manage, analyze, and disseminate astrographic knowledge and also that will be used to view and analyze data from a astrographic perspective.

A astrographic information system based on quadrographic projection (3-dim's, time) is a system for management, analysis, and display of astrographic knowledge, which is represented using a series of information sets such as maps, astrographic data and metadata (such as object data: size, distance from Earth, rotation, surface, atmosphere, temperature, location, escape velocity, other information).

A AIS can produce information that answers specific questions and allows you to share that information with others. We'll find information that introduces you to the astrographical tools and benefits available when you implement a AIS.

Fundamentally, a AIS will be based on a structured "dataworld" that describes the universe in astrographic terms through a set of intelligent maps and other views that show astral features and feature relationships on the universe's "surface"; It links astral location to information and layers that information to give you a better understanding of how it all interrelates. You choose what layers to combine based on your purpose. A AIS is a unique kind of "dataworld" of the universe"a astrographic "dataworld" (astrodataworld). Maps of the underlying astrographic information can be constructed and used as "windows into the dataworld" to support queries, analysis, and editing of the information " called astrovisualization.