COMPUTING FOR AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL ASTRONOMERS
Stefan Mochnacki
(David Dunlap Observatory)
BACKGROUND
1. Amateurs at home have computing power equal to that of professionals at the office.
2. Most (but not all) software used by professionals for astronomical research is free and downloadable.
3. Most (but not all) astronomical databases are freely accessible on the Web.
4. Astronomical detectors available to amateurs are reasonably comparable with "scientific" models costing ten times more, and are capable of excellent research results.
ASTRONOMICAL SOFTWARE
OPEN vs CLOSED
FV FITS Editor
ESO-MIDAS
XEPHEM
UK-STARLINK
AIPS
IDL
OCAAS
Numerous instrument control S/W,
amateur observing aids.
Mostly for UNIX,Linux.
FREE.
YOU CAN MODIFY
Mostly for PC, Mac.
USUALLY COSTS.
CANNOT MODIFY!
THE OPEN SOURCE "REVOLUTION"
"GPL": General Public License,
and various others.
* Software can be sold, but source is always available, together with improvements.
* "Linux" operating system developed by hundreds over the internet. A full UNIX system.
* Extremely rapid development to compete with Microsoft at server level and on the desktop.
* A Linux PC can run all the professional software, but Microsoft cannot.
* Use VMware to run two O/S's at the same time.
* Multi-tasking and Internet capabilities of Linux and Unices vastly superior to MS, Mac.
THE ECONOMICS OF ABUNDANCE
Open source software is a sort of "gift economy": it works just like science. Don't re-invent the wheel. See the essays of Eric Raymond:
http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/
* Peer review and collaboration over the Net produce excellent software (Linux has legendary stability).
* Assistance is free via Usenet, or for a fee from distributors.
I have always found free help to be there when needed. People can make money selling support.
* Collaborative development of open source software would be a natural partnership for professionals and amateurs, as it is in the computer world.
FINAL COMMENTS
* Professionals moving to Linux on commodity Intel PCs due to cost-effectiveness and power.
* Amateurs can use professional software for data from near-professional CCDs.
* Amateurs and professionals could collaborate on software development using Raymond's "bazaar" model. Needs strong leaders (e.g. Linus Torvalds).
* CCD manufacturers should consider opening up their interface specifications to allow open source software development; that may sell more hardware. In the computer industry, hardware manufacturers don't make money on software.