The Astropy Project: Sustaining and Growing a Community-oriented Open-source Project and the Latest Major Release (v5.0) of the Core Package (2206.14220v1)

Abstract: The Astropy Project supports and fosters the development of open-source and openly-developed Python packages that provide commonly needed functionality to the astronomical community. A key element of the Astropy Project is the core package $\texttt{astropy}$, which serves as the foundation for more specialized projects and packages. In this article, we summarize key features in the core package as of the recent major release, version 5.0, and provide major updates for the Project. We then discuss supporting a broader ecosystem of interoperable packages, including connections with several astronomical observatories and missions. We also revisit the future outlook of the Astropy Project and the current status of Learn Astropy. We conclude by raising and discussing the current and future challenges facing the Project.

• The paper demonstrates how Astropy v5.0 improves error propagation and spectral coordinate handling for more reliable astronomical analysis.
• It outlines a robust community-driven development model with formal governance and outreach initiatives to enhance contributor diversity.
• The release offers long-term support and integration with major observatories, ensuring stability for both telescope operations and research.

The Astropy Project: Community Growth and Advancements to v5.0

The Astropy Project has emerged as a pivotal community-driven open-source initiative within the astronomical community, fostering the development of essential Python packages tailored for the needs of astronomers. The paper delineates the evolution of the Astropy project, focusing on its community-centric approach, the architectural robustness of the astropy core package, and its version 5.0 release. It also discusses the project's sustainable model and its integration with the broader Python ecosystem.

Key Features of Astropy v5.0

Astropy v5.0, designated as a long-term support (LTS) release, underlines the stability required for both telescope operations and academic research that necessitates consistent software versions. This iteration contains notable enhancements, including advancements in error propagation with the new uncertainties subpackage, which facilitates Monte Carlo methods for more reliable scientific analysis without requiring extensive user intervention.

Additionally, the integration of masked quantities and time series support broadens astropy's utility, making it more adaptable and capable of handling complex datasets prevalent in astronomical research. The introduction of SpectralCoord and a high-level WCS (World Coordinate System) interface underscores the package’s commitment to simplifying operations related to spectral coordinates and astronomical imaging, respectively.

Ecosystem and Community Engagement

Astropy is not only about the core package but serves as the nexus for a much broader ecosystem of interoperable packages. The paper emphasizes the growing number of coordinated and affiliated packages that extend the capabilities of astropy into various domains of astronomical research. This integration is crucial as it enables researchers to build upon a stable foundation while contributing to and benefiting from a larger community effort.

Astropy's success lies significantly in its vibrant contributor community. Although the number of contributors has seen a gradual increase, much of the development burden still falls on a small subset. The project has taken concrete steps to engage more contributors through mentoring programs like Women of Color Code (WoCCode) and participation in diversity-focused conferences. These initiatives reflect the project's commitment to fostering an inclusive community.

Governance and Funding

Formalizing governance structures has been a critical step towards sustaining the Astropy Project. The paper details the governance charter (APE 0), which establishes a framework for decision-making and community contribution. This evolution in governance is complemented by funding via notable grants, including those from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and NASA, which ensure the project can maintain its infrastructure while expanding its educational and diversity initiatives.

Implications and Future Direction

Astropy's focus on sustainability, community engagement, and robust software development underscores its impactful role in astronomy research. Its integration with major observatories and missions, such as JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) and the Cherenkov Telescope Array, exemplifies the project's alignment with current scientific endeavors.

Looking forward, the roadmap for Astropy includes enhancing interoperability with performant I/O systems, advancing spectroscopic analysis tools, and expanding learn.astropy.org to provide comprehensive educational resources. As these initiatives progress, Astropy will continue to play a critical role in bridging the gap between astronomical research challenges and the computational tools required to address them efficiently.

In summary, the Astropy Project exemplifies a conscientious effort in orchestrating a community-driven open-source software initiative that has become indispensable to the astronomical community. Its future endeavors will likely continue to amplify the collaborative spirit and technical prowess within the domain, ensuring that astronomical research remains at the cutting edge of both scientific discovery and software innovation.