CRDF project ARP1-2849-YE-06 “Digitized First Byurakan Survey and Armenian Virtual Observatory”
	Principal Investigators: Areg Mickaelian (Armenia), Daniel Weedman (USA) Project period: 01 February 2007 – 31 January 2010

The First Byurakan Survey (FBS), the largest-area spectroscopic survey of the sky, has been finished for a few decades. Many astronomers even from the Byurakan Observatory could not work with the plates, as they were unique, and no copies were available. FBS is known as the Markarian survey, as by using it, he discovered 1500 UV-excess (UVX) galaxies. Markarian galaxies led to dramatic new knowledge in the field of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and starburst galaxies. The FBS plates have also been used to search for UVX stellar objects, late-type stars, and identifications of IR sources. New projects are possible with efficient use of the FBS. Recently (2002-2004), all 1874 FBS plates were digitized, and their electronic copies were created on DVDs. All these plates have high accuracy (1² rms) astrometric solution. To make the material useful and efficient, it is necessary to make software to extract the spectra, calibrate the data to wavelengths and fluxes, and classification. We propose a project to develop the necessary analysis software for the DFBS plates to create a catalog and database which will be available through the Internet and on DVDs. The Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) has been created, based on the DFBS. The ArVO will allow the Armenian astronomy to contribute and be integrated into the international databases. The DFBS can then be used to aid in identifying and studying objects found with other techniques, such as the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). In particular, the US team is motivated by their involvement in NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope (SST), which is exploring the sky at various infrared wavelengths. The crucial importance of the previously discovered Markarian galaxies to understanding IR objects makes it important to find additional examples for investigation with SST. ArVO will allow efficiently using the DFBS together with the DSS and other databases.

Armenian team members

	Dr. Areg MICKAELIAN, Armenian PI Leading Researcher at BAO and head of ArVO research group, Project Manager and Principal Investigator of DFBS and ArVO, Lecturer at YSU Department of Physics, Co-President of ArAS, Executive Council member of EAAS, IVOA, and SREAC, Resident Director of Isaac Newton Institute (INI) Armenian Branch.
	Dr. Lidia ERASTOVA Senior Researcher at BAO. DFBS and ArVO project team member, Founding member of ArAS. The oldest and most experienced person in ArVO research group, one of the authors of the Second Byurakan Survey (SBS), Markarian’s former colleague. Works in the fields of extragalactic surveys, AGN and starburst galaxies.
	Dr. Kamo GIGOYAN Senior Researcher at BAO, DFBS and ArVO project team member, Fellow of Laboratory of 2.6m telescope at BAO. Founding member of ArAS. One of the most productive Byurakan scientists, active in international collaborations. Works in the fields of surveys, late-type stars, variables, 2MASS, IRAS, and ROSAT sources.
	Dr. Lusine SARGSYAN Researcher at BAO, one of the best young scientists, DFBS and ArVO project team member. Winner of ArAS Annual Prizes for Young Astronomers 2004 and 2009 and Annual Award for Young Armenian Scientists by Gyulbenkyan Foundation 2004. Works in the fields of AGN and starburst galaxies, IRAS and SST sources.
	Parandzem SINAMYAN Researcher at BAO, one of the best young scientists, DFBS and ArVO project team member. Head of BAO Plate Archive and Chair of BAO Young Astronomers Council. Winner of ArAS Annual Prizes for Young Astronomers 2006. Works in the fields of surveys and blue stellar objects.
	Lilit HOVHANNISYAN, Junior Researcher Worked as Junior Researcher at BAO till 2009. DFBS and ArVO project team member. Winner of ArAS Annual Prizes for Young Astronomers 2006. Works in the fields of IRAS galaxies, SST and ROSAT sources.

USA team members

	Prof. Daniel WEEDMAN, USA PI Professor of astronomy at Department of Astronomy of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Expert in the fields of AGN, starburst galaxies, and IR sources. Has worked before at Pennsylvania State University, NASA and NSF. Lectured at the First Byurakan International Summer School in 2006. ArAS member.
	Prof. James HOUCK Professor of astronomy at Department of Astronomy of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Expert in the field of IR astronomy. One of the initiators of IRAS and SST space telescopes. Principal Investigator of SST IRS and Head of the IR astronomy group at Cornell University. ArAS member.
	Dr. Don BARRY Astronomer, but at present the Network Operation Manager at Department of Astronomy of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA, though continuing working in astrophysical projects. Has lectured at the Second Byurakan International Summer School in 2008. ArAS member.

Report

Brief statement of project’s major accomplishment

Our project resulted in the large spectroscopic database of the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) and the creation of the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) that will allow further more efficient research. Both DFBS and ArVO led to new science projects, including multiwavelength searches and studies for new objects.

Public Summary

The original goal of our project was the construction of the electronic database of the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) and the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) and an environment for further efficient astrophysical research, as for our team members, so as for other astronomers in the Byurakan Observatory and elsewhere. A number of software and tools have been worked out and the database has been put in a user friendly form and is freely accessible through the web since 2008. Using the DFBS together with other multiwavelength (X-ray, UV, optical, IR, and radio) surveys, including the infrared Spitzer Space Telescope (SST; the telescope in which our US colleagues are engaged), we have conducted a number of new science projects, including search and study of new active galactic nuclei (AGN), extremely red stars (including carbon stars), variable objects, optical identification and study of X-ray, infrared, and radio sources, etc. For optical identifications, we have used new approaches that take into account all available multiwavelength data and result in accurate detection of the counterpart. Our database can be (and is already being) used by other astronomers for similar studies and new projects can be conducted based on the DFBS and ArVO. ArVO also allows a direct and fast access to world astronomical databases and tools. Due to our project, collaborations with a number of VO teams have been started during 2007-2008 and a possibility for training and research for young scientists has been offered.

Extended report

Our project was aimed at creation of the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) database and user interface and making the DFBS available for scientific use and appropriate to the present organization of other international databases, namely its use through the Astrophysical Virtual Observatories (AVO). The project included development of extraction (and other) software and classification of the low-dispersion spectra, as well as construction of the DFBS web page, corresponding user interface, catalog and database of all DFBS objects. A standard link to other electronic archives like DSS1/DSS2, SIMBAD and NED, MAPS and USNO catalogs, 2MASS, SDSS, etc. was important for joint use of all available data. Science projects based on the DFBS included searches for new objects of the modeled types (using our classification scheme) and optical identifications of X-ray, IR, and radio sources. The overall and primary objective of this effort was the creation of the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) based on the DFBS and its integration into the international databases and VOs.

Our first attempt was the creation of a dedicated extraction and analysis software for the DFBS low-dispersion spectra, namely bSpec. It was developed to perform automatic extraction and classification of the spectral data in a DFBS image. We converted the original Data Numbers (DN) output of the scanning to relative intensity according to the formula I = (V–B ) / (T–B), where I is the intensity (in arbitrary units), V is the average DN value for the unexposed plate, B is the average for the darkest pixels, and T is the data number for a given pixel. Then we developed an absolute calibration using the energy distribution of known stars within the plates. All spectra of the objects from the USNO-B1.0 catalogue were then extracted automatically, corrected for the adjacent sky.

To determine the wavelength calibration, we used some well-exposed spectra of planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, sub-dwarfs, cataclysmic variables, and QSOs, which have broad Balmer, He, and other lines. We obtained an approximate wavelength calibration scale because the dispersion is strongly non-linear, from about 22 Å/pixel at the blue edge of the spectrum to about 60 Å/pixel at the red edge, with mean dispersion 32.7 Å/pixel and dispersion of about 28.5 Å/pixel at Hg. Photometric information from the DFBS spectra now can be obtained by integrating the spectra blueward and redward of the green sensitivity gap typical of IIF plates, thereby deriving an instrumental ‘blue’ and ‘red’ magnitude; these spectral ranges are very similar to the POSS O (4050Å) and E (6450Å) emulsion sensitivity ranges and can be reliably related, therefore, to the B and R magnitudes given in the USNO catalog. Instrumental B and R magnitudes were evaluated by integrating the spectrum between pixels 20–40 (R) and 55–90 (B). A polynomial fit of these instrumental magnitudes compared to the USNO magnitudes provided a calibration curve which was then used to compute the DFBS magnitudes for all objects in the plates.

The DFBS database presently can be accessed through a web interface. The database includes all the digitized plates and the automatically extracted spectra. A preliminary magnitude calibration for each plate is made using the objects with USNO magnitudes between 12^m and 16^m in the central part (1600´1600 pixels) of the plate: several hundred stars are generally available for this purpose. Objects brighter than 13^m are generally overexposed in the DFBS so their luminosity is strongly underestimated and unreliable; objects fainter than about 16.0^m have a large uncertainty due to the low Signal to Noise ratio. For each object, the database contains the following information: USNOA2 identification, RA and Dec, position of the red head in plate pixels, B and R magnitudes in the USNO-A2 and from the DFBS, the local background value, a quality flag, the spectrum length (defined as the distance between the red edge and the first pixel below the sky level blueward), and the extracted spectrum (142 pixels long including 20 pixels of sky before the red edge).

A web page and user interface have been created to allow access to the DFBS database for the astronomical community. It can be queried at http://arvo.sci.am/ARVO/DFBS/. The user interface provides access to general information on the FBS and DFBS, an easy comparison of a spectroscopic DFBS plate with the corresponding direct plates from the DSS1 and DSS2, the access to the database and to the digitized plates. Users may download portions of the plates in FITS format and perform their own analysis. Each spectrum is identified by its coordinates in the USNO-A2 catalogue. The full identification of an object is given by the plate number and coordinates, for example, FBS1053–DFBS J213143.70-124622.2. Spectra can be downloaded as a single ASCII file containing all the selected spectra or as separate files for each spectrum. The user interface (the DFBS portal) presently allows the following operations to the guest user: i) Sky coverage, ii) Plate list, iii) Explore (allowing the display of a portion of plate around a given central RA, Dec position, comparison with the same portion of the DSS1 or DSS2 (blue, red, or IR), interactive selection of one or more spectra present in the database, their collection (saving in a list) and downloading (ASCII files) to the guest computer), iv) Get Image (allowing users to select a portion of a plate in FITS format and all the spectra of this portion present in the database for downloading (spectra are ASCII files), as well as downloading of the whole selected field), v) Get Spectra (allowing downloading all the spectra in the database within a given distance from a selected central position (cone search); this option displays also an interactive (“clickable”) table of the selected objects, which allows looking at each object individually for a quick evaluation of the data).

Among all VO data available in the world databases, a large spectroscopic database for all objects was needed. The Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO, http://arvo.sci.am/ARVO/) was created to utilize the DFBS as an appropriate spectroscopic database, as well as the Digitized Second Byurakan Survey (DSBS) and other archive data. The ArVO project included the creation of a database of DFBS spectra and its integration in VOs, creation of a user interface with a full access to all DFBS data as well as all existing data from other databases. VO standards include the Simple Image Access Protocol (SIAP) and Simple Spectra Access Protocol (SSAP). These allow homogeneous access to various image and spectral data in the world databases. To make the DFBS data available in VOs, we have started preparing the DFBS images and spectra in VO standards. DFBS was promoted as an SIA via the Atlas mode in the Virtual Observatory. All images are accessible through the usual VO clients such as Aladin (VO standard image interface). SSAP will allow using the DFBS spectra in VOSpec (VO standard spectra display and analysis tool) and similar applications. Moreover, as DFBS spectra are being extracted from the 2D images, which should also be accessible when working with the spectra (e.g. for purposes of optical identifications, etc.), we developed a tool for image/spectra interchange and VO-compliant methods for quick access from images to spectra and vice versa. Thus, from the point of view of VO, the DFBS is a new database needing both image and spectra access tools working together.

The main goal of the ArVO was to develop efficient methods for science projects based on the DFBS and other large astronomical databases, both Armenian and international. Thus ArVO project also included several astrophysical applications, subprojects using the DFBS and the ArVO in general. Examples are creation of joint digitized low-dispersion spectroscopic database in the North; development of an automatic identification procedure for X-ray, IR, and radio sources; development of an automatic search procedure for modeled objects, etc.

Two groups of projects were especially productive: search for new interesting objects of definite types by low-dispersion template spectra, and optical identifications of new g, X-ray, IR and radio sources. The first one was based on modeling of spectra for a number of types of objects: QSOs, Seyfert galaxies, white dwarfs, subdwarfs, cataclysmic variables, planetary nebulae, late-type stars (K-M, C, S), etc. Each kind of object appears in the DFBS with its typical SED and spectral lines (for objects having broad lines only, like white dwarfs and subdwarfs, quasars and Seyferts, etc.), however affected also by its brightness, so that each template works for definite range of magnitudes. The search criteria define how many objects will be found for further study, and may restrict these numbers leaving with the best candidates. Optical identifications have been proven to be rather efficient for IR sources from IRAS PSC and FSC. Tests have been carried out for X-ray and radio sources as well.

A special emphasis is put on search for bright QSOs missed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), rather important for making up their complete sample, studies of the properties of the Local Universe, a comparison of their X-ray, IR, and radio properties and making up their multiwavelength SEDs, as well as for a refinement of the AGN classification. A project for search for new bright QSOs using the DFBS has been started in the region with DEC>0° and |b|>20°. The Byurakan 2.6m telescope is being used for the spectral identification of the candidates. The first test resulted in 145 objects found, 81 being known QSOs/Sys, and 64 new candidates (including 23 NVSS and FIRST radio sources). Another project was aimed at detection of asteroids in the DFBS. One of the popular VO software tools, SkyBoT (Sky Body Tracker), was used. The identification of the newly found IR sources from Spitzer Space Telescope (SST) was also conducted. 73 unidentified sources in the Boötes region have been found and classified on the DFBS plates.

As mentioned, the electronically-accessible DFBS was the primary result of our project. Use of the digitized spectra will increase the efficiency of object selection for various scientific goals. For example, inspection of low dispersion spectra is often the most efficient way for initial identification of optical counterparts of sources discovered in X-ray, IR, and radio surveys. The digitized images of the DFBS and the resulting template spectra will allow faster, more quantitative identification of targets. We are confident that these new tools will not only benefit previously initiated projects, but new research ideas will also originate from the DFBS.

Project-related publications

1. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Erastova L.K., Balayan S.K., Gigoyan K.S., Hovhannisyan L.R., Nesci R., Gaudenzi S., Massaro E., Rossi C., Sclavi S., Trevese D., Weedman D., Houck J., Barry D., Brandl B. - The Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) // IAU XXV General Assembly, IAU Symp. No. 216: Maps of the Cosmos, 14-17 July 2003; Eds: M. Colless, L.Staveley-Smith & R. Stathakis, San-Francisco, ASP, 2005, p. 230-238.

2. Mickaelian A.M., Hagen H.-J., Sargsyan L.A., Mikayelyan G.A. – Digitized First Byurakan Survey plate database // Catalog No. VI/116 in Vizier, CDS, Strasbourg, 2 Aug 2005.

3. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Mikayelyan G.A., Erastova L.K., Sinamian P.K. – The Digitized First Byurakan Survey and the Armenian Virtual Observatory // Proceedings of the International Workshop on “Virtual Observatory: Plate Content Digitization, Archive Mining, and Image Sequence Processing”, held in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 27-30, 2005, Eds. M.Tsvetkov, V.Golev, F.Murtagh, and R.Molina, Heron Press Science Series, p. 82-92, Apr 2006.

4. Mickaelian A.M. – The Armenian Virtual Observatory – ArVO // Proceedings of Scientific Session: Scientific Programs and Astronomy Education in SEE and Ukraine, held in Bucharest, September 2005, Romanian Astron. J., Vol. 16, Suppl., p. 23-32, July 2006.

5. Mickaelian A.M., Gigoyan K.S., Nesci, R., Rossi C. – The Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS): a Unique Database for Proper Motion, Variability Studies, and Object Classification // Proc. IAU GA XXVI, JD13: Exploiting large surveys for Galactic astronomy, held in Prague, August 22-23, 2006, Editors: C. Corbally, C. Bailer-Jones, S. Giridhar and T. Lloyd Evans, Memorie della Società Astronomica Italiana, Vol. 77, No. 4, p. 1159, Dec 2006.

6. Mickaelian A.M., Nesci R., Rossi C., Weedman D., Cirimele G., Sargsyan L.A., Erastova L.K., Gigoyan K.S., Mikayelyan G.A., Massaro E., Gaudenzi S., Houck J., Barry D., D’Amante L., Germano P. – The Digitized First Byurakan Survey – DFBS // Astron. Astrophysics, Vol. 464, No. 3, p. 1177-1180, Mar IV 2007.

7. Mickaelian A.M. – Science projects with the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) // Proc. IAU XXVI General Assembly, SpS3: The Virtual Observatory in Action: New Science, New Technology, and Next Generation Facilities, held 2006 in Prague; Highlights of Astronomy, Vol. 14, No. 2, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 594, Aug 2007.

8. Thuillot W., Berthier J., Sarkissian A., Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Iglesias J., Lainey V., Birlan M., Simon G. – Massive physical and dynamical characterization of asteroids // Proc. IAU XXVI General Assembly, SpS3: The Virtual Observatory in Action: New Science, New Technology, and Next Generation Facilities, held 2006 in Prague; Highlights of Astronomy, Vol. 14, No. 2, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 616, Aug 2007.

9. Sargsyan L.A., Mickaelian A.M., Weedman D., Houck J. – Spitzer IRS Spectra of Optically Faint IRAS Sources // Astrophys. J., Vol. 683, No. 1, p. 114-122, Aug 2008.

10. Mickaelian A.M., Nesci R., Cirimele G., Sargsyan L.A., D'Amante L., Germano P., Massaro E., Rossi C., Gaudenzi S., Weedman D., Mikayelyan G.A., Erastova L.K., Gigoyan K.S., Hovhannisyan L.R., Sinamyan P.K., Houck J., Barry D. – The Spectroscopic Database of the Digitized First Byurakan Survey // Proc. ESAC Workshop on Astronomical Spectroscopy and Virtual Observatory, held in European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) of ESA, Villafranca del Castillo, Spain, 21-23 March 2007, ESA, p. 29-32, Oct 2008.

11. Massaro E., Mickaelian A.M., Nesci R., Weedman D. (Editors), The Digitized First Byurakan Survey // ARACNE Editrice, Rome, 78 p., Dec 2008.

12. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Gigoyan K.S., Erastova L.K., Sinamyan P.K., Hovhannisyan L.R., Mikayelyan G.A., Weedman D.W., Houck J.R., Barry D. (with co-authors) – 18 articles in: The Digitized First Byurakan Survey, Editors: Massaro E., Mickaelian A.M., Nesci R., Weedman D. // ARACNE Editrice, Rome, 78 p., Dec 2008.

13. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Gigoyan K.S., Erastova L.K., Sinamyan P.K., Hovhannisyan L.R., Massaro E., Nesci R., Rossi C., Gaudenzi S., Sclavi S., Cirimele G., Weedman D., Houck J., Barry D., Sarkissian A., Thuillot W., Berthier J., Prugniel P., Kochiashvili I., Mikayelyan G.A. – Science with the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) // Proc. SREAC meeting, held in Athens, Greece, Oct 2007, Romanian Astron. J., Vol. 18, Suppl., p. 249-259, Jan 2009.

14. Hovhannisyan L.R., Mickaelian A.M., Weedman D.W., Le Floc'h E., Houck J.R., Soifer B.T., Brand K., Dey A., Jannuzi B.T. – Spitzer 24 mum Excesses for Bright Galactic Stars in Bootes and First Look Survey Fields // Astron. J., Vol. 138, No. 1, p. 251-261, July 2009.

15. Sargsyan L.A., Weedman D.W. – Star Formation Rates for Starburst Galaxies from Ultraviolet, Infrared, and Radio Luminosities // Astrophys. J., Vol. 701, No. 2, p. 1398-1414, Aug 2009.

16. Berthier J., Sarkissian A., Mickaelian A., Thuillot W. – Recovery of asteroids in the Digitized First Byurakan Survey // European Planetary Science Congress, EPSC, Vol. 4, p. 526-527, Sep 2009.

17. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Astsatryan H.V., Cirimele G., Nesci R. – The DFBS Spectroscopic Database and the Armenian Virtual Observatory // Data Science Journal, Vol. 8, p. 152-161, Sep 2009.

18. Sargsyan L.A. – Optical classification of 18 infrared galaxies // Astrophysics, Vol. 52, No. 3, p. 377-382, Sep 2009 (Russian: Afz 52, 413-419, Aug 2009).

19. Mickaelian A.M., Astsatryan H.V., Sahakyan V.G., Sargsyan L.A., Nesci R., Cirimele G., Harutyunian H.A., Magakian T.Yu., Sinamyan P.K., Mikayelyan G.A. – The Digitized First Byurakan Survey on ArmCluster // Proc. CSIT-2009 meeting, Vol. 7, p. 420-423, Oct 2009.

20. Hovhannisyan L.R., Mickaelian A.M., Weedman D.W., Le Floc'h E., Houck J.R., Soifer B.T., Brand K., Dey A., Jannuzi B. – Bright Stars with Spitzer 24 mum Excesses in Bootes and FLS // Proc. V.A. Ambartsumian 100^th anniversary meeting, 2009, in press.

21. Sargsyan L.A., Mickaelian A.M., Weedman D., Houck J. – Infrared and Optical Study of Faint IRAS-FSC Sources // Proc. V.A. Ambartsumian 100^th anniversary meeting, 2009, in press.

22. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Mikayelyan G.A. – Using large surveys, multiwavelength catalogs, and databases for new discoveries // Proc. IAU GA XXVII SpS5: Accelerating the Rate of Astronomical Discovery, held on 11-14 Aug 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Proceedings of Science, Vol. , p. 30, 2010, in press.

23. Mickaelian A.M., Sargsyan L.A., Nesci R., Cirimele G., Sarkissian A. – Spectra extraction and analysis software for the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) and research projects // Proc. ADASS-XIX, ASP Conference Series, 2010, in press.

Project-related conference presentations

1. Mickaelian, A.M. “Science with the DFBS and ArVO.” (Oral Presentation). Miniworkshop on DFBS and other Surveys, February 13, 2007, Rome, Italy.

2. Gigoyan, K.S. “Red Objects in the DFBS.” (Oral Presentation). Miniworkshop on DFBS and other Surveys, February 13, 2007, Rome, Italy.

3. Sargsyan, L.A. “Spitzer Space Telescope and the DFBS.” (Oral Presentation). Miniworkshop on DFBS and other Surveys, February 13, 2007, Rome, Italy.

4. Mickaelian, A.M. “The Spectroscopic Database of the Digitized First Byurakan Survey.” (Oral Presentation). European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) Workshop on Astronomical Spectroscopy and Virtual Observatory, March 21-23, 2007, Villafranca del Castillo, Spain.

5. Hovhannisyan, L.R. “Optical Identification and Study of Infrared Stellar Sources in Boötes.” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

6. Sargsyan, L.A. “Spitzer Spectroscopy of IRAS Sources Having Extremely High IR/opt Flux Ratios.” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

7. Mickaelian, A.M. “Science Based on Spectroscopic Databases.” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

8. Gigoyan, K.S. “Search and Study of Extremely Red Objects in the DFBS Database.” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

9. Hovhannisyan, L.R. “Search and Study of Variable Objects in the DFBS Database.” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

10. Mickaelian, A.M. “Science with the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO).” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

11. Sinamyan, P.K. “Search and Study of UV-Excess Objects in the DFBS Database.” (Oral Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

12. Mickaelian, A.M. “Asteroid Search with the DFBS.” (Poster Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

13. Mickaelian, A.M. “Simple Spectral Access VO Application on the Digitized First Byurakan Survey.” (Poster Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2007), August 20-25, 2007, Yerevan, Armenia.

14. Mickaelian, A.M. “Science with the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO).” (Oral Presentation). South-East Regional European Astronomical Committee (SREAC) meeting, October 4-9, 2007, Athens, Greece.

15. Mickaelian, A.M. “Spitzer 24 μm Excesses for Bright Stellar Sources in Boötes and FLS.” (Poster Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2008), September 8-12, 2008, Vienna, Austria.

16. Mickaelian, A.M. “Spitzer IRS Spectra of Optically Faint IRAS Sources.” (Poster Presentation). Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting (JENAM-2008), September 8-12, 2008, Vienna, Austria.

17. Hovhannisyan, L.R. “Bright Stars with Spitzer 24 μm Excesses in Boötes and FLS.” (Poster Presentation). Conference on Evolution of Cosmic Objects through their Physical Activity, September 15-18, 2008, Byurakan, Armenia.

18. Sargsyan, L.A. “Infrared and Optical Study of Faint FSC Sources.” (Poster Presentation). Conference on Evolution of Cosmic Objects through their Physical Activity, September 15-18, 2008, Byurakan, Armenia.

19. Mickaelian, A.M. “The DFBS Spectroscopic Database and the Armenian Virtual Observatory.” (Oral Presentation). ICSU 21^st International CODATA Conference, Session on Astronomical Data and the Virtual Observatory, October 5-8, 2008, Kiev, Ukraine.