Commission 14: Atomic and Molecular Data

Abstract

As the pool of fundamental data available to astronomers continues to increase, the question of how best to promote the necessary cross-discipline interaction becomes increasingly important. Commission 14 has traditionally played an important role in this activity, by publishing triennial reports in the IAU Proceedings, as well as by responding to more specific requests for data. We are fortunate in having the support for these activities of some energetic Working-Groups and Chairmen, whos contributions to the present report are very gratefully acknowledged. With the expansion of available data it is appropriate that these reports take on more and more the form of references to review articles and other more specific data bases. The question of whether the field of activity of the Commission should be enlarged was discussed at Patras and will be reviewed again at the Delhi meeting. One possibility is to include nuclear processes and fundamental particle physics. On the other hand a rationale for limiting the scope of our activities might be the direct application to astronomical observations. Astronomical theorists are usually better placed to access the fundamental data themselves. The interaction between fundamental physics and astronomy will in general take two forms. There is the essential service role of making data available in a usable form. However, we should surely aim to stimulate the other very profitable mode, in which the two disciplines are brought together to form real scientific collaborations, in order to research the problems of astronomy.