<title>Astrophysical virtual observatory (AVO): a progress report</title>

Abstract

The Astrophysical Virtual Observatory Project (AVO: http://www.eso.org/projects/avo/) will conduct a research and demonstration program on the scientific requirements and technologies necessary to build a VO for European astronomy. The AVO has been jointly funded by the European Commission and six European organizations for a three year Phase-A work program valued at 5 million Euro. The Phase A program will focus its work in three areas -- science requirements, archive interoperability and GIRD/database technologies. The AVO project, the US NVO and UK ASTROGRID projects have been working closely together over the past nine months to reach consensus on essential technical directions and standards that will facilitate the possibility of an International Virtual Observatory. An International Virtual Observatory Alliance was formed in June 2002 among all currently funded and proposed VO projects. The IVOA has adopted a roadmap for IVO developments over the next three years that will feature coordinated demonstrations of VO capabilities on specific science programs, and international agreements on key interoperability standards and tools.