1. Ownership and scope
The ARAS Database is maintained by the ARAS Eruptive Stars Group and provides access to spectroscopic observations contributed by members of the astronomical community.
The database, including its compilation, selection, organization, verification, classification, documentation and presentation, constitutes a substantial scientific resource developed and maintained through the collective efforts of the ARAS community.
The database compilation, its structure and its original documentation are protected by applicable copyright and database rights.
2. Rights in individual observations and spectra
Individual observations and spectra remain subject to the rights applicable to their respective contributors.
The name or observer code associated with an observation identifies the contributor responsible for the submitted observation.
By submitting an observation to the ARAS Database, the contributor grants the ARAS Group a non-exclusive, worldwide permission to:
- archive and preserve the observation;
- reproduce and technically process the observation as necessary for database maintenance;
- verify, validate and organize the observation;
- make the observation available through the ARAS Database;
- include the observation in scientific compilations, statistics and visualizations;
- maintain the observation as part of the historical scientific record.
3. Copyright in the database compilation
The selection, arrangement, classification, normalization, verification and presentation of the information contained in the ARAS Database constitute an original intellectual creation and are protected, where applicable, by copyright.
The database also benefits from the sui generis database right applicable to the producer of a database under European and national legislation.
The protected database elements include, in particular, the organization and compilation of observations, metadata, object records, references, classifications and other information assembled and maintained by ARAS.
4. Scientific and personal use
Individual users are free to consult the ARAS Database and to use its contents for:
- personal astronomical research;
- educational activities;
- scientific analysis;
- preparation of scientific presentations;
- preparation of publications.
Users must not misrepresent ARAS data as their own observations or as an independently established database.
5. Scientific publications and presentations
Users are encouraged to use ARAS observations in scientific research and publications.
When ARAS data are used in a publication, users should:
- acknowledge the ARAS Eruptive Stars Programme;
- cite the ARAS Database ( 2019CoSka..49..217T );
- identify the relevant observers whenever reasonably practicable;
- provide the database URL: ARAS Database .
A recommended acknowledgement is:
When individual observations make a substantial contribution to a publication, the corresponding observers should be appropriately acknowledged or included as co-authors where consistent with the authorship policies of the relevant journal and the scientific contribution involved.
The observers should be notified that their data have been used in publications for which they are not co-authors once the paper is published.
6. Extraction and reuse of database contents
Users may retrieve reasonable amounts of data for legitimate scientific, educational or personal research purposes.
However, without prior written permission from the ARAS Database administrators, users must not:
- reproduce or redistribute a substantial part of the database;
- incorporate a substantial part of the database into another database or catalogue;
- perform systematic or repeated automated extraction intended to reproduce the database.
7. Data quality and scientific responsibility
The ARAS Database is maintained as a collaborative scientific resource. Although reasonable efforts are made to preserve and verify the integrity of the data, ARAS does not guarantee that every observation, measurement, metadata field or classification is error-free or complete.
Users are responsible for independently assessing the suitability of the data for their scientific purpose.
8. Applicable rights
Nothing in these Terms of Use is intended to limit rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable copyright, database or other intellectual-property legislation.
The protection of the database and its contents is intended to operate in accordance with applicable national and international law, including the intellectual-property legislation applicable to the ARAS Database and its users.
9. Contact
For questions concerning the use of ARAS Database contents, contact with observers, or other matters relating to these Terms of Use, please contact: