Noastr

Noastr is an open data format and software library intended to simplify access to astronomical data and visualization across platforms. The term is used to describe a lightweight, interoperable schema for celestial object catalogs, ephemerides, and sky maps, along with reference implementations in several programming languages.

Etymology and goals: The name blends “no” with “astronomy” to emphasize minimalism and broad accessibility. The project aims to reduce dependencies, promote data portability, and enable consistent data exchange between applications ranging from classroom simulations to professional planning tools.

Core concepts: Noastr defines data models such as Object, Ephemeris, and SkyRegion, with standardized fields for coordinates (ICRS/J2000), time (ISO 8601 and Julian Date), photometry, and orbital elements. It relies on JSON for interchange and provides coordinate transformation utilities and simple rendering interfaces.

History and adoption: Conceived in the early 2020s by a community of astronomers and developers, noastr released its first public draft in 2022 and its core library in 2023. It has seen niche adoption in educational platforms and small observatories, and it is intended to complement established formats like VOTable rather than replace them.

Usage and limitations: Noastr is designed for lightweight applications and browser-based tools; it supports Python and JavaScript bindings and streaming data. Limitations include relatively limited adoption compared with long-standing standards, and ongoing discussions about interoperability with FITS and the broader Virtual Observatory ecosystem.

See also and references: See also mentions Astropy, Stellarium, and the Virtual Observatory, along with JSON as a data interchange format. References include the Noastr project documentation and public repositories that provide the primary specifications and implementation details.