It has been a while since I have posted to this forum on the ABC survey.
First the progress report
1) The survey is now over 85% complete in the Southern Hemisphere. This includes a few re-observations of fields which failed the initial QC test.
2) It is very likely that the southern hemisphere will be complete during 2026 - even allow for further re-observations of fields will continue to fail the QC test.
3) The Northern hemisphere is only just over 45% complete.
4) The observational work is currently only being done by a handful of individuals. @Michael Ring @James Tickner @Brian Boyle @Alan Brunelle While the South doesn't need more help, we could really use the some more volunteers for the north.
5) Good progress is being made with the mosaicing - but the observations are still on the critical path.
6) I have posted a few of the mosaics from taken taken for the ABC survey; but using APP and not the mosaic pipeline being built by @James Tickner . That will be much better.
Why are we even doing this? Isn't the Vera Rubin telescope doing this better? Won't it hurt my AB index to publish this stuff? There are good answers to these, mostly played out on other forums and not just applicable to the ABC survey.
My own motivation is to be part of something larger, to produce atlas-style images that I have been a part of and using data I get to manipulate and publish as my own, albeit part of a larger collective. To create finding charts for more detailed follow up observations that are second-to-none to those currently available on line (and Telescopius is good). I have also used images to take out gradients using PI's multi-scale gradient tool. PI themselves have shown no interest in the almost complete Southern survey. Make of that what you will.
In short, after having taken over 400 fields, I am still as committed to finishing as when I started out. This is equally true of the small band of APers who are working through the fields.
If you are able to join us, you would be most welcome.
If not, we hope we can produce finished products within the next year. The visualization is yet another exciting and rewarding challenge.
CS Brian
First the progress report
1) The survey is now over 85% complete in the Southern Hemisphere. This includes a few re-observations of fields which failed the initial QC test.
2) It is very likely that the southern hemisphere will be complete during 2026 - even allow for further re-observations of fields will continue to fail the QC test.
3) The Northern hemisphere is only just over 45% complete.
4) The observational work is currently only being done by a handful of individuals. @Michael Ring @James Tickner @Brian Boyle @Alan Brunelle While the South doesn't need more help, we could really use the some more volunteers for the north.
5) Good progress is being made with the mosaicing - but the observations are still on the critical path.
6) I have posted a few of the mosaics from taken taken for the ABC survey; but using APP and not the mosaic pipeline being built by @James Tickner . That will be much better.
Why are we even doing this? Isn't the Vera Rubin telescope doing this better? Won't it hurt my AB index to publish this stuff? There are good answers to these, mostly played out on other forums and not just applicable to the ABC survey.
My own motivation is to be part of something larger, to produce atlas-style images that I have been a part of and using data I get to manipulate and publish as my own, albeit part of a larger collective. To create finding charts for more detailed follow up observations that are second-to-none to those currently available on line (and Telescopius is good). I have also used images to take out gradients using PI's multi-scale gradient tool. PI themselves have shown no interest in the almost complete Southern survey. Make of that what you will.
In short, after having taken over 400 fields, I am still as committed to finishing as when I started out. This is equally true of the small band of APers who are working through the fields.
If you are able to join us, you would be most welcome.
If not, we hope we can produce finished products within the next year. The visualization is yet another exciting and rewarding challenge.
CS Brian
