From June 18 to 21, 2024, the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory successfully hosted the international symposium of “Technical Requirements for Direct Imaging Astronomical Plate Digitization.” The conference attracted over 50 astronomical plate digitization experts from 38 research institutions in 12 countries and regions worldwide. Participants discussed the latest advancements in astronomical plate digitization and worked towards standardizing data formats, promoting global collaboration in this field.
Hou Jinliang, Vice Director of Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a welcoming speech. He pointed out that the astronomical plates contain a rich story of cosmic evolution. We should inherit and manage these scientific legacies well. Through this conference, he hoped that the participating experts could further explore the technological improvement and collaborative research of the digitalization of astronomical plates, and jointly promote the deep cooperation on it.
Before the widespread adoption of modern digital imaging technologies (such as CCD and CMOS cameras), astronomical photographic plates recorded various celestial events that occurred between 1850 and 2000. The focus of this symposium was on extracting accurate scientific information from these historical astronomical plates. Experts deliberated on detection standards for specialized plate scanning equipment and established a memorandum titled “Verifying the Accuracy of Different Professional Digitization Devices through Circulating Scans of Plate Samples.” This important work will be led by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory’s plate digitization team.
Additionally, participants engaged in detailed discussions about database formats and metadata standards related to astronomical plate digitization. These efforts aim to create a unified digital framework, enabling astronomers to better utilize this valuable data for research.
Elizabeth Griffin, Chair of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group on Plate Preservation and Digitization (PDPP), expressed her gratitude during the conference summary:“We sincerely appreciate the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory for co-hosting this event! Despite varying time zones, the attendance was remarkable - both high and steady – and and I feel sure that we have sown seeds that are just in time to grow and flourish among our communities worldwide and which will bring the work thus started to real fruition to the benefit of all.” Jean-Eudes Arlot, initiator of the Paris Observatory’s NAROO (Plate Digitization) project and former director of the Institute of Celestial Mechanics and Ephemerides Calculation, also emphasized: “The Shanghai workshop was of high interest, allowing to gather all the involved people in plate digitizing and to better define digitizing projects.”
The Shanghai Astronomical Observatory looks forward to leveraging its existing five high-precision plate digitization devices for multi-mode international cooperation, contributing to global astronomical heritage preservation
Supported by by Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality.
