Playing with Big Data

Working with Astronomical Catalogs in Upper Secondary Computer Science Classes

Authors

  • Dmitry Klykov School in Kapotnya, Moscow

Keywords:

astronomical catalogs, data analysis, computer science, interdisciplinary integration, Python, data visualization, research activity

Abstract

This paper describes how real astronomical data can bring upper secondary computer science lessons to life. The author compiled an instructional dataset containing the properties of the brightest stars in the sky and developed scenarios for practical lessons. Using Python with the Pandas, Matplotlib, and Plotly libraries, students learn to filter, process, and visualize data, including recreating the famous Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. The materials can be integrated into computer science and physics courses and used to foster cross-curricular connections. The dataset, source code, and instructional guides are openly available and intended for classroom lessons, project and club activities, as well as independent student research. This approach helps demonstrate to students that big data is a tool for exploring the world — even the stellar world.

Author Biography

Dmitry Klykov, School in Kapotnya, Moscow

Teacher of the highest qualification category, School in Kapotnya, Moscow

References

Клыков Д. Ю. URL: http : / / dyuk108 . ru ; Личная страница автора статьи.

Клыков Д. Ю. Датасет сведений о ярчайших звёздах неба до 6.5m : Репозиторий GitHub. 2025. URL: https://github.com/dyuk108/brightstar_dataset.

Hoffleit D., Warren Jr. W. H. Bright Star Catalog, 5th Revised Edition (Preliminary Version) / HEASARC, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. 1991. URL: https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/W3Browse/star-catalog/bsc5p.html.

European Space Agency. The Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogues. Noordwijk : ESA Publications Division, 1997. (ESA Special Publication ; 1200). ISBN 92-9092-399-7. URL: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/hipparcos/catalogues.

Kostjuk N. D. HD–DM–GC–HR–HIP–Bayer–Flamsteed Cross Index / Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg. 2002. URL: https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/IV/27A.

Davenhall A. C., Leggett S. K. Catalogue of Constellation Boundary Data / Royal Observatory Edinburgh; Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg. 1989. URL: https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/ReadMe/VI/49.

Клыков Д. Ю. Преобразование эффективной температуры звёзд Teff в цвет RGB : Репозиторий GitHub. URL: https://github.com/dyuk108/star_colors.

The PASTEL Catalogue: 2016 Version / C. Soubiran [и др.] // Astronomy & Astrophysics. 2016. Т. 591. DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201628497.

Клыков Д. Ю. Скрипт для создания векторных карт звёздного неба : Репозиторий GitHub. URL: https://github.com/dyuk108/draw_skymap.

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Published

2026-08-12

How to Cite

[1]
Klykov, D. 2026. Playing with Big Data: Working with Astronomical Catalogs in Upper Secondary Computer Science Classes. Astronomy Education. 1, 2 (Aug. 2026), 4–10.

Issue

No. 2 (2026)

Section

Astronomy and School Education

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Dmitry Klykov

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