Enabling integration across research infrastructures for accelerating science
March 26, 2025
Part 2 of 5: OpenCosmo Data and Analysis Portal
The OpenCosmo Data and Analysis Portal aims to simplify cosmology research by providing a central hub for interacting with large-scale simulation datasets. Currently under active development, the portal allows users to run data queries, visualize preliminary results directly in their browsers, and run predefined computationally demanding analyses on high-performance computing (HPC) facilities. By integrating resources from Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF), and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), OpenCosmo is designed to help researchers efficiently access and process the extensive datasets needed for cosmological studies.
OpenCosmo is built on Globus platform services, using Globus Flows to manage data transfers and analyses across HPC sites. Globus Compute endpoints at each facility facilitate direct processing on systems where the data resides, reducing unnecessary data movement. Access to analyses and datasets is controlled via Globus Groups and facility-specific policies, ensuring security and compliance. This setup streamlines the workflow, allowing users to spend less time on logistics and more on scientific exploration.
By providing easy-to-use, browser-based tools, OpenCosmo aims to make complex cosmological analysis accessible to more researchers. Authorized users can submit and monitor tasks in real-time and conveniently access results. The ongoing development prioritizes user feedback and functionality improvements to better support researchers’ needs in cosmological science.
More broadly, the OpenCosmo project aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s vision for an Integrated Research Infrastructure to seamlessly connect experimental, observational, and computational resources to accelerate discovery and enhance the management of large-scale scientific data.
Contributors: Argonne National Lab: Michael Buehlmann, Benoit Cote, Will Hicks, Patricia Larsen, Patrick Wells, and Katrin Heitmann