GülseçenSevinç
Sevinç Gülseçen (Istanbul University) Hulusi Gulsecen (Istanbul University), Hulya Caliskan (Istanbul University), Tansel Ak (Istanbul University)
Astronomical data is coming from different sources in great amounts, computer hardware is increasing its capability, computer software is becoming more powerful and more user friendly so that it can be used by non-experienced people and the information superhighway - the Internet - is always within reach. The only thing we must do is to integrate all these properly and carefully. One way to do this in an Astronomy Department is to install an Information Management System (IMS). It will act like a (manager( between the department staff and their computer system, their intranet, Internet, data reduction and analysis systems (IRAF, MIDAS, etc.) and various data sources such as observatories and large databases.
The existing computer system of Istanbul University Science Faculty Astronomy and Space Science Department (hereafter IU-ASSD) that has a character more like a Data Processing System is no longer adequate to meet the needs of ``users''-astronomers- and has to be re-designed so as to act like an IMS. Other major factors forced us to design a new system were the establishment of TšB˜TAK National Observatory and urgent need for on-site data reduction and analysis systems. The main goal of the study to install an IMS of IU-ASSD is to increase the level of scientific work in the department to the level of - international standards.
Installation of IMS started a year ago with Initial Investigation and Feasibility Study phases. The needs of users, the scope of problem, the priority to be assigned to the project and the resources needed to modify the existing system were accurately estimated through a number of questionnaires. Main modification was done in increasing the computing power of the system with two new workstations: DEC Alpha and HP PW. Means of General and Detailed Design phases determined technical design of the system. Now the system is under its implementation phase.