Summary

The acquisition and analysis of data presents astronomers of several types with tasks which in many cases are overwhelming, of literally "astronomical" scale, and the management of that data requires frequently the subtle discrimination and inferences either of a flesh- and-blood "expert" or of a computer system designed to imitate the activity of such a person. The present volume contains thirteen papers (plus glossary and other supporting material) intended to summarize recent progress toward the development and effective application of such computer systems; it provides description of attempts within the astronomical community to adapt/exploit an emergent computer technology the main thrust of which has heretofore been non- astronomical. Neatly printed and bound. (NW) Annotation(c) 2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)