SAMP connectivity

The ISO Data Archive makes use of the SAMP Web Profile (Javascript library) to interoperate with other astronomy tools, via the SAMP protocol.

SAMP (see the IVOA Standard and additional material) is a messaging protocol that enables astronomy software tools to interoperate and communicate.

SAMP Web Profile allows web applications to interoperate and communicate with SAMP-capable desktop-based tools such as Aladin, Topcat or VOSpec. Standalone Browse Products (cubes, images and spectra) can be directly sent to these VO tools (without being retrieved locally) making use of the SAMP protocol, for visualization and analysis.

Launch one or more of the following software tools to interoperate with the ISO Data Archive User Interface:

• (http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/java/download/aladin.jnlp): Interactive software sky atlas which allows users to visualize digitized astronomical images and superimpose entries from astronomical catalogues or databases.



• (http://esavo.esac.esa.int/webstart/VOSpec.jnlp): A multi-wavelength spectral analysis tool with access to spectra, theoretical models and atomic and molecular line databases registered in the VO.



• (https://sourceforge.net/projects/specview/): Specview, like VOSpec is a multi-wavelength spectral analysis tool with access to spectra, theoretical models and atomic and molecular line databases. Specview is not longer available and supported by STScI and it is only present in sourceforge as a legacy application.



• (http://cassis.irap.omp.eu/?page=installation): A different multi-wavelength spectral analysis tool which also allows access to spectra, theoretical models and atomic and molecular line databases.




• (http://ds9.si.edu/site/Download.html): An astronomical imaging and data visualization application. It supports FITS images and binary tables, multiple frame buffers, region manipulation and many scale algorithms and colour maps.

In order to communicate between applications, SAMP makes use of a broker service for routing SAMP Messages (Hub application). The above VO tools, with the exception of DS9, provide this service automatically.

If a SAMP Hub service is not running on your system, the IDA web interface will provide a prompt in order to start one. You must allow the interface to connect to this service and start your chosen VO tool, which will then be automatically connected.