VEP-014.txt

Vocabulary: http://www.ivoa.net/rdf/product-type
Author: Vincenzo Galluzzi <vincenzo.galluzzi@inaf.it>
Date: 2023-11-13

New Term: spatial-profile
Action: Addition
Label: Spatial Profile
Description: An observable obtained along a one-dimensional spatial path.
Relationships: narrower than #spatially-resolved-dataset
Used-in: http://radioarchive.inaf.it/

Rationale:
Single dish radio observations where a cross-shaped scan is executed on
a target object are commonly performed for flux measurements or pointing
correction calculations, and are best described as a spatial profile.
Typically, the spatial length of each arm of the cross is larger than
the spatial resolution to allow for a proper background subtraction.
Other radio observations (usually performed at high frequency) that can
be described as spatial profiles are elevation scans on the empty sky
executed to calculate opacity corrections.  Another case for
spatial-profile would be when a planetary probe takes measurements along
its flight path.

Such observational data need a dedicated term for their discovery
because they have calibration, processing and analysis modes rather
distinct from other data product types.  However, further
differentiation among various types of profiles may be considered if
additional use cases are formulated.

Discussion:

	The reaction to http://mail.ivoa.net/pipermail/radioig/2024/000108.html
	were favourable.  There was a question whether, for instance, slit
	spectra ought to count as spatial profiles; but nobody wanted to
	champion this, and it seems sufficiently doubtful that the creation
	of such a relationship can wait until we have gathered experience on
	whether that might be useful.

	The new term was approved by the TCG on 2024-05-19.