Seminar: An Open Science Framework for Long-tail Research data - Application example: The Astrobiology Habitable Environments Database (AHED)

Fundamental research performed by individual PIs and small research teams – termed ‘long-tail’ research – is key a part of the life cycle of NASA missions, in addition to being a driver of scientific advancement. The long-tail traditionally lacks data management resources available to larger groups and missions, however. Improving the accessibility and discoverability of NASA long-tail data will provide an important foundation for new science and is needed to empower traditionally disadvantaged countries and people to contribute to NASA scientific goals.

In this seminar we will discuss the newly launched Astrobiology Habitable Environments Database (AHED). While AHED is focused on serving the needs of the astrobiology science community, it exemplifies the development of a flexible strategy and tools for facilitating open-science data management practices that is adaptable to other areas of long-tail research funded by NASA. This effort aligns with NASA’s multi-year Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative and is timely given that 2023 has been designated by NASA as the Year of Open Science.