Commission B2 WG FITS — Functional

Description

The FITS (previously Data Representation) WG consists of the FITS Special Expert Group (FITS SEG) and the Structured Data Expert Group (SDEG).

A WG for Data Representations (an expanded WG FITS) will help ensure and maintain the fluent interoperability of telescope data that has not only made multi-wavelength astronomical research commonplace, but has also made astronomy's data management practices the envy of many other disciplines. The WG FITS has been the custodian and advocate for the Flexible Image Transport System format since it was formally endorsed by the IAU in 1982; however, the more recent data landscape has broadened substantially, and many new facilities are exploring alternatives to the FITS standard in order to manage their issues of data scale and complexity. The WG FITS will therefore be expanded, and renamed Data Representations. It is vital to manage a careful and minimally disruptive transition from FITS to more modern and capable data representations, and in order to assure that continuity we plan to retain the FITS governance structure through a FITS Subcommittee that is part of the new WG. Subcommittees focused on other data representation standards can also be created as needed.

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Functional Working Groups are Working Groups whose scope and purpose are institutional and naturally extend beyond the IAU three-year cycle.

These should have a maximum automatic lifespan of 6 years. Their Functional status should be revisited at that 6-year mark by the EC and a decision should be taken on whether the Functional WG should be renewed or terminated. The Functional WG Chair would also follow the 6-year term and the renewal of the Chair would also be discussed at this time.