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Save the Bits Archive Update (1Jun94)
(from KPNO, NOAO Newsletter No. 38, 1 June 1994)

As we go to press, the "Save the Bits" archive has been in operation
for 9 months.  Since 20 July 1993, 140,000 images have been archived
totaling about 275 Gbytes.  The FITS header catalog alone totals 300
Mbytes (minus whitespace).  Images are archived from optical and IR
nighttime instruments at both KPNO and NSO, using the WILDFIRE and ICE
software.

FITS translation of 87 tar tapes from the 3 month phase-in period has
been completed, adding 20,000 images and 50 Gbytes to the archive.
Automatic tape duplication and verification features are being added; 4
exabyte 8505 tape drives are in place to support this.  We are looking
into making the header catalog accessible via a database server.  An
archive Mosaic/WWW page, http://iraf.noao.edu/
iraf_staff/seaman/archive.html, is available with more information.

The archive has already proven useful.  Two long term observing
programs monitoring solar system and extragalactic objects have been
organized to rely on images contributed by observers.  The archive
simplifies such ad hoc scientific collaborations by avoiding data
chasing headaches - an observer with a convenient hour angle observing
window need only snap the requested picture, and then e-mail a unique
image identifier to the PI.  No tapes, ftp, or any other fuss is
necessary.

On the operations side, an ongoing 2.1-m PSF monitoring program relies
on data retrieved from the archive tapes.  An atlas of CCD problem
frames is being compiled in a similar way.  Lastly, images from five
separate nights have been recovered following observer mishaps.

As a reminder, the official KPNO policy is that data acquired using
Observatory telescopes and instruments are held proprietary to the
observer for 18 months.  After that period, the Observatory's copy of
the data may be made available to the community at the Director's
discretion.

	               [Figures not included]

Rob Seaman, Caty Pilachowski, Bruce Bohannan

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