Observing observatories: web observatories should use linked data

Web Observatories are a major international scientific collaboration concerned with data sources of a heterogeneous nature, and often quite large. Of course, they are not the first such collaboration; the Web itself was born as a response to a similar scientific endeavor. It is therefore appropriate to look at other col-laborative activities, and try to learn and use the lessons they have learnt.{\ensuremath{<}}br/{\ensuremath{>}}{\ensuremath{<}}br/{\ensuremath{>}}We argue that Web Observatories should build in interoperability using current best practices right from the start. We also argue that Linked Data is a best practice, and can provide the basis for a research environment that will deliver the vision of a large group of cooperating Observatories, sharing data and re-search results to the benefit of all. In addition, we argue that the activity should not start with a major standardization process, but should grow around appro-priate standards as required.