Access to Astronomy Data and Services via the Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volume 22 number 2 (1993)

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Guenther Eichhorn

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA

Abstract

The goal of the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) is to provide the astronomy researcher with easy access to awide variety of astronomical data and services. The objective of the ADS is to explore the unique value of each supplier of data and services and to provide access to that value by the science community at large via the Internet. The ADS is a NASA-sponsored project and is available free of charge to the astronomical community. Data currently available include over 250 catalogues, access to data archives---e.g., IPAC/JPL's IRAS all-sky survey, SAO's Einstein archive, NSSDC's NDADS archive--access to over 160,000 abstracts from astronomy and astrophysics journals, and access to the SIMBAD astronomical objects database in Strasbourg, France. Services available include a local table editor, plot and image display services, and a coordinate conversion tool.