Bibcode

Bibcode

The Bibcode is a unique identifier used in the field of astronomy and astrophysics to reference literature and data. It is primarily used by the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) to index and retrieve scientific papers and other scholarly works. The Bibcode is a standardized format that allows for efficient cataloging and searching of astronomical literature.

Format

A Bibcode is a 19-character string that follows a specific format: `YYYYJJJJJVVVVMPPPPA`. Each segment of the Bibcode has a distinct meaning:

- YYYY: The four-digit year of publication. - JJJJJ: A five-character abbreviation of the journal name or publication source. - VVVV: The volume number of the journal or publication. - M: A single character that indicates the section of the journal (often a letter or a space). - PPPP: The starting page number of the article, or a unique identifier if page numbers are not applicable. - A: The first letter of the last name of the first author.

For example, the Bibcode `2023ApJ...845L..10S` refers to an article published in the year 2023 in the "Astrophysical Journal", volume 845, starting on page L10, authored by someone whose last name begins with "S".

Usage

Bibcodes are widely used in the field of astronomy for:

- Literature Search: Researchers use Bibcodes to quickly locate articles in the ADS database. - Citation: Bibcodes provide a concise way to reference articles in bibliographies and footnotes. - Data Linking: Bibcodes can be used to link datasets to the publications that describe them.

History

The Bibcode system was developed in the late 20th century as a means to organize the growing body of astronomical literature. It was designed to be compact, easy to parse, and consistent across different publications.

Advantages

- Consistency: The Bibcode format is uniform, making it easy to implement in databases and search engines. - Compactness: At only 19 characters, Bibcodes are short enough to be easily managed and stored. - Versatility: Bibcodes can be used for a wide range of publications, including journals, conference proceedings, and books.

Limitations

- Field-Specific: Bibcodes are primarily used in astronomy and astrophysics, limiting their applicability in other fields. - Complexity: The format can be difficult to interpret without understanding the specific conventions used for journal abbreviations and page numbers.

Also see

- NASA Astrophysics Data System - Digital Object Identifier - International Standard Book Number - Library of Congress Control Number