Advanced Data Products for radio observatories
Journal article, 2026
Advanced Data Products (ADPs) are increasingly central to enhancing the efficiency and scientific output of radio observatories. Designed to bridge the gap between raw observational data and science-ready results, ADPs reduce processing overhead, improve reproducibility, and enable a wider range of researchers to engage with complex datasets. Their benefits include accelerated research, interoperability across archives, and reduced duplication of computational effort, with direct implications for sustainability. This paper summarizes the outcomes of the ADP2024 workshop, which reviewed current practices at major facilities including ALMA, SKAO, LOFAR, VLA, and ESO. We highlight lessons learned from ongoing initiatives. Critical issues identified include standardization, provenance tracking, quality assurance, and long-term maintenance. We conclude that ADPs represent a key step toward sustainable, accessible, and scientifically optimized data ecosystems in radio astronomy.
Radio astronomy
Data management and archives
Advanced Data Products (ADPs)
Scientific workflows and reproducibility
Interoperability and standardization
Author
Villard E.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Ahmadi A.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Bolton R.
THE SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY OBSERVATORY SKAO
Breen S.
THE SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY OBSERVATORY SKAO
Castro S.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
De Breuck C.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Deg N.
Queen's University
Delli Veneri M.
THE SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY OBSERVATORY SKAO
Emsellem E.
Université de Lyon
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Fleming S.
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
Guglielmetti F.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Kelley Michelle Hess
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory
Hibbard J.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Holties H.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Humphreys L.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Iacobelli M.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Jachym P.
Czech Academy of Sciences
Jones B.
University of Cologne
Kimball A.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Koch E.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Lacy M.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Loomis R.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Massardi M.
Istituto nazionale di astrofisica (INAF)
McGuire B.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Molina Montoro B.
Ndung'u S.
Stellenbosch University
Orru E.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Pizzo R.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Plunkett A.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Romaniello M.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Schilke P.
University of Cologne
Scolati H.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Sheehan P.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Shen A.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Stoehr F.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Swinbank J.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Teuben P.
University of Maryland
Tobin J.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Toribio M.C.
Wijnholds S.
Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
Zwaan M.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Astronomy and Computing
2213-1337 (ISSN)
Vol. 54 101003Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology
DOI
10.1016/j.ascom.2025.101003