The Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) as UNESCO Documentary Heritage

The famous Markarian Survey (or the First Byurakan Survey, FBS) was carried out in 1965-1980. Its 2000 plates were digitized in 2002-2007 and the Digitized FBS (DFBS, www.aras.am/Dfbs/dfbs.html) was created. New science projects have been conducted based on this low-dispersion spectroscopic material. The Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO, www.aras.am/Arvo/arvo.htm) database accommodates all new data. The project was conducted in collaboration with the Italian, USA and German scientists, as well as the Armenian Institute of Informatics and Automation Problems (IIAP) and continued during 6 years in 2002-2007. Markarian Survey and its digitized version were included in UNESCO Documentary Heritage “Memory of the World” International Register in 2011 as one of the rare heritage items from science.

Search and Studies of the First Byurakan Survey Blue Stellar Objects

The First Byurakan Survey (FBS) 2nd Part was devoted to search and studies of Blue Stellar Objects (BSOs) and Late-type Stars. Eleven lists of 1103 BSOs were published in Astrophysics in 1990-1996, found in FBS low-dispersion spectroscopic plates. The selection was carried out in the region with +33◦ > δ > +45◦ and δ >+61◦ with a surface of ∼4000 deg2. As a result, the catalogue of the FBS BSOs was compiled. Its preliminary version has been available at CDS since 1999. We revised and updated the FBS BSOs catalogue with the new data from recently published optical and multiwavelength catalogues to give access to all available data and make further comparative studies of the properties of these objects possible. We made cross-correlations of the FBS BSOs catalogue with the MAPS, USNO-B1.0, SDSS, and 2MASS, as well as ROSAT, IRAS, NVSS, and FIRST catalogs, added updated SIMBAD and NED data for the objects, and provided accurate DSS1 and DSS2 positions and revised photometry. We also checked the objects for proper motion and variability. A refined classification for the low-dispersion spectra in the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) was carried out. The revised and updated catalogue of FBS blue stellar objects contains 1101 objects. The FBS blue stellar objects catalogue can be used to study a complete sample of white dwarfs, hot subdwarfs, HBB stars, cataclysmic variables, bright AGN, and to investigate individual interesting objects.

Revised and updated catalogue of the First Byurakan Survey of Late-Type Stars: second edition

ABSTRACT A total of 18 lists of the First Byurakan Survey of Late-Type Stars (FBS LTS) were published between 1990 and 2016. The stars were found on FBS low-dispersion spectroscopic plates. A systematic search and selection were carried out on a surface of ∼16 000 deg2 on almost the whole area of the FBS. As a result, the ‘Revised and Updated Catalogue of the First Byurakan Survey of Late-Type Stars’ was generated (FBS LTS v1; 1045 objects). We present the second version of the catalogue of FBS LTS with new data (FBS LTS v2), comprising 1471 objects. It is a homogeneous and complete data base for high-Galactic-latitude, late-type stars, including M and C types. Since 2007, all FBS low-resolution spectral plates have been digitized. All digitized FBS (DFBS) spectral plates have been analysed with FITSView and SAO Image ds9, and numerous relatively faint LTSs have been discovered. We have performed cross-correlations with DFBS, USNO-B1.0, 2MASS, AllWISE, IRAS PSC/FSC, AKARI, ROSAT BSC/FSC, GCVS, SDSS and added updated SIMBAD data. For numerous new detected objects, we present accurate DSS2 positions, approximate spectral subtypes refined from the DFBS low-dispersion spectra, luminosity classes estimated from 2MASS colours, and available proper motions for 1471 FBS LTSs. The Revised and Updated Catalogue v2 lists a large number of completely new objects, which promises to extend very significantly the census of M giants, faint N-type asymptotic giant branch carbon stars, CH-type carbon giants at high Galactic latitudes, and M dwarfs in the Solar vicinity up to 16.0–17.0 mag in the visual. Some important data from Gaia DR2 and supplementary spectra from the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory 2.6-m and LAMOST telescopes are presented.

Revised and Updated Catalogue of the First Byurakan Survey Late-Type Stars. 2nd Edition

Eighteen lists of late-type stars (LTSs) have been published between 1990 and 2016. These LTSs have been found in the low-dispersion spectroscopic plates of the First Byurakan Survey (FBS). The systematic search and selection was carried out on a surface _16000 deg2 on almost the whole area of the FBS. As a result, \Revised And Updated Catalogue Of The First Byurakan Survey Of Late-Type Stars" was generated (LTSs, _rst version). Since 2007, all FBS low-resolution spectral plates are digitized, and Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) database and second catalog of objects has been assembled. All DFBS spectral plates are analysed with the help of standard image analysis softwares (FITSView and SAO Image ds9) and numerous of comparatively faint LTSs were discovered. We present the 2nd version of the FBS catalogue of LTSs with new data. We have made cross-correlation with the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS), the United State Naval Observatory-B1.0 Catalogue, the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS), the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (new version-ALLWISE) catalogue, the Infrared Astronomical Satellite Point Source Catalogue/Faint Source Catalogue, the AKARI catalogue, the ROSAT Bright Source Catalogue/Faint Source Catalogue, the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometric catalogue. We have added updated IMBAD data for the objects. For numerous of the new detected objects we present accurate Digitized Sky Survey 2 positions, approximate spectral subtypes refined from the DFBS low-dispersion spectra, luminosity classes estimated from 2MASS colours, and available proper motions for 1471 FBS LTSs. 2nd Version of the Revised and Updated Catalogue lists a large number of completely new objects, which promise to extend very significantly the census of M giants, faint N-type Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) carbon stars, CH {type carbon giants at high Galactic latitudes, also M dwarfs in the vicinity of the Sun up to 16.0-17.0 mag. in visual. We present also some important data from the Gaia DR2 data base for FBS LTSs. Some supplementary spectra obtained with the Byurakan Observatory 2.6 m telescope and LAMOST telescope are shown.

Automatic Source Classification in Digitised First Byurakan Survey

The Digitised First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) provides low dispersion optical spectra for about 24 million sources. A two-step machine learning algorithm based on similarities to predefined templates is applied to select different classes of rare objects in the dataset automatically, for example late type stars, quasars and white dwarves. Identifying outliers from the groups of common astrophysical objects may lead to discovery of rare objects, such as gamma-ray burst afterglows.

BAO Plate Archive digitization, creation of electronic database and its scientific usage

Astronomical plate archives created on the basis of numerous observations at many observatories are important part of the astronomical heritage. Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) plate archive consists of 37,000 photographic plates and films, obtained at 2.6m telescope, 1m and 0.5m Schmidt telescopes and other smaller ones during 1947--1991. In 2002-2005, the famous Markarian Survey (First Byurakan Survey, FBS) 2000 plates were digitized and the Digitized FBS (DFBS) was created. New science projects have been conducted based on these low-dispersion spectroscopic material. In 2015, we have started a project on the whole BAO Plate Archive digitization, creation of electronic database and its scientific usage. The project will run during 3 years in 2015--2017 and the final result will be an electronic database and online interactive sky map to be used for further research projects.

IAU South West Asian ROAD

Armenia is hosting the IAU South West Asian (SWA) Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (ROAD). It is a county of ancient astronomy and is also rich in modern astronomical facilities and infrastructures, hence may successfully serve as a regional center for various activities. Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) has 2.6m and 1m Schmidt, as well as a number of smaller telescopes that are an observational basis for joint projects and collaborations. Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) is hosting astronomical databases, such as the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) and may also serve as a basis for development of VO structures in this region. Recently we have conducted a number of new activities; a meeting on “Relation of Astronomy to other Sciences, Culture and Society" (RASCS) was organized by BAO and Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS) in Oct 2014 in Byurakan. Activities related to Archaeoastronomy and Astronomy in Culture (AAC) were initiated as well. Discussions on future Armenian-Iranian collaboration in astronomy were carried out, including an Armenian-Iranian Astronomical Workshop held in Oct 2015 in Byurakan. Similar workshops have been carried out between BAO and Abastumani Astronomical Observatory (AbAO, Georgia) since 1974.