Summary

While surveys have always been the lifeblood of astronomy, the current era has seen an explosion in both quantity and quality of survey data, made possible by digital instrumentation and electronic databases. Since these surveys are using immense resources, it is very opportune to pose the question on how to get the best out of them. We shall concentrate particularly on those surveys whose targets are stars and so bear on astrophysics within the Milky Way and Local Group. These are primarily the optical and near-infrared surveys, but without excluding the higher and lower energy surveys.

We shall start by reviewing the major surveys and find out what these are telling us about the formation and evolution of our Galaxy, the model of an average late-type spiral galaxy. We shall look carefully at the techniques of photometric and spectroscopic classification used to identify stars of different types, stellar variability for distances, and the complementary kinematic data from radial velocities and proper motions. The relationship of these data with theoretical models of stellar structure and atmospheres will also be considered, for these are critical to age determinations and parameterization.

This joint discussion is intended to highlight the results of large surveys, but it will also provide a forum in which participants can discuss and reflect on how far the analysis methods are achieving what is hoped from these surveys and so how best to exploit future surveys. The opportunity given at a General Assembly for a gathering of astronomers from many fields is ideal for promoting this fruitful exchange of expertise and ideas.