Daniel Ponz

ESA XMM-Newton

I studied Physics (1968-1973) with Doctor degree in Astrophysics
(1985). After finishing the studies, I worked in the Instituto de
Astrofísica de Canarias as responsible for the computer center. In
1977, I started to work at Villafranca in the International
Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) mission. From 1981 to 1989, I was staff
at the European Southern Observatory as part of the Image
Processing group, to develop an image processing system for
astronomy, ESO-MIDAS, a classic still in use. In 1989, I join ESA,
as part of D/OPS directorate, in support of the IUE mission and to
generate the IUE archive (INES), now operated by LAEFF. Currently,
I am supporting the XMM-Newton mission in the areas of quality
control and in the mission control system, after its migration to
SCOS-2000.

Interest areas: Image processing algorithms, automated
classification methods, control systems and new architectures for
astronomical archives. I am a member of the editorial board of the
journal Experimental Astronomy; member of the European FITS
Committee and member of the ESA's Board for Software
Standardisation and Control (BSSC). In addition, when time allows
for it, I collaborate in a research network aimed at the
specification of a future environment for data analysis in
astronomy, a project funded by the European Union under the 6th
Framework Programme.