I spent some time discussing the imaging in Google Sky with the Sky team and with Blanton and Sheldon, because the Sky team would like us to contribute some substantially-nicer SDSS imaging than they already have. I'm pleased—we do have the best images—but I don't relish the work it might involve. We have also been discussing connections between astrometry.net ans Sky. In the terrifying future, astrometry.net could drive traffic to Sky and Sky could allow browsing and visualization of astrometry.net's results. That would be fun.
Hey David!!
ReplyDeletejust a small comment about Google Sky. Got amazed the way it already is, even better with better imaging.
I searched for a way to contact them to send a suggestion (not a very original one) and couldn't find it.
Since you have direct access to them, the inclusion of a NED like catalogue search would be great. Like being able to find catalogues like HCG, CL, MS, ESO and not only Messier, NGC and "classical names".
And please, congratulate them for the great work!
GoogleSky is already a cool application. At this stage is mainly aimed to sky lovers but, as described in the paper, it has a huge growth potential.
ReplyDeleteAs cristiano said adding the NED & SIMBAD objects is a good start. But as soon more information and flexibility is added, GoogleSky can be converted in a really powerful tool for profesional astronomers.
In my opinion the main challenge is add the huge, heterogeneous information spread out in different observatory archives and databases and simple consistent way.
Of course is upon us using it, not only for fun!
Ryan Scranton is now the best contact for professional astronomers to give feedback to Sky.
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