Astronomical Data Reduction and Analysis for the Next Decade

Abstract

The astronomical community has become very sophisticated in setting requirements and figures of merit for the technical capabilities of new observatories. Sensitivity, field of view, spatial and energy resolution, observing efficiency and the lifetime of the facility are all set out to address scientific problems as efficiently as possible. The ultimate goal of these facilities, however, is not simply to gather data, but to create knowledge. It is thus important to consider the process of converting data to knowledge and ask whether there are ways to improve this for the coming generation. Software for data reduction and analysis provides a key link in this chain. Modest investments in this area can have a very large impact on astronomy as a whole, if they are made wisely. Conversely, it is possible to waste significant amounts of money on software efforts that never fulfill their promise. We need to learn from the successes and failures of the past to try to maximize our productivity in astronomy as a whole. That means working more closely together across agencies, projects, institutions and disciplines to share in building and maintaining this essential infrastructure.

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