Project:	Visualizing a Large Astronomical Dataset
Discipline:	Multidisciplinary
Mentor:	Gregg Hallinan, Professor of Astronomy, (PMA), gh@astro.caltech.edu
AO Contact:	Kieran Cleary, kcleary@astro.caltech.edu
Background:	The CO Mapping Array Project (COMAP) is an ongoing radio astronomy experiment to efficiently survey huge astronomical volumes using the emerging technique of spectral line intensity mapping. The experiment, operating at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, is currently tracing structure in the Universe when it was just a few billion years old by measuring fluctuations in the radio emission from carbon monoxide gas within galaxies. These measurements generate about 1 TB/day, which is stored on spinning disks in the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Description:	It is very important that any problems with observations are identified and corrected as soon as possible. This makes daily monitoring of data quality essential, but this becomes difficult when the data volume is so large. To aid this process, we have developed a web-based front end that allows us to view and navigate plots of the various astronomical and housekeeping data products in an intuitive fashion. This front-end interfaces with a database which contains information on every observation and the location of associated plots that are generated on-the-fly. This front end has proved invaluable but there are a number of improvements we wish to make. These include improvements in efficiency, i.e. the speed with which plots are displayed, and the addition of new functionality. Previous work on improving the efficiency has resulting in new backend code, but a new front end needs to be built around this which replicates the functionality of the original system and also adds new capabilities. This project requires demonstrated experience with python, relational databases, web backend and web frontend frameworks.
References:	COMAP web site: http://comap.caltech.edu
Student Requirements:	Required background - demonstrated experience with as much of the following as possible: python typescript/Javascript knowledge of relational databases (mysql/mariadb) web backend frameworks (django) web frontend frameworks (React, nextjs)
Programs:	This AO can be done under the following programs:   Program    Available To        SURF    both Caltech and non-Caltech students  Click on a program name for program info and application requirements.