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information_for_astronomers:user_guide:pycatalog
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information_for_astronomers:user_guide:pycatalog [2013/07/04 12:24] 127.0.0.1 external edit |
information_for_astronomers:user_guide:pycatalog [2014/01/20 09:06] (current) akraus |
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| ====== Using source catalogs ====== | ====== Using source catalogs ====== | ||
| - | With the new Obsinp observing software, source catalog files are (unfortunately) stored in a proprietary file format, which cannot be edited using a text editor as it was possible with the (old) VAX source catalogs. However, there exists a script ''catalog.py'', which can be used to convert files having the old VAX format to the new Obsinp format. Using | + | With the new Obsinp observing software, source catalog files are stored in the SDB (structured data base) format. This format is somewhat less easy |
| + | to understand as the (old) VAX source catalogs. However, there exists a script ''catalog.py'', which can be used to convert files having the old VAX format to the new Obsinp format. Using | ||
| <code>catalog.py sources.cat</code> | <code>catalog.py sources.cat</code> | ||
| on the **be4** computer will create a file ''sources.sdb''. If you place it into ''your_directory_on_be4/Catalogues'' it will be found automatically by Obsinp (if you choose the correct startup directory). | on the **be4** computer will create a file ''sources.sdb''. If you place it into ''your_directory_on_be4/Catalogues'' it will be found automatically by Obsinp (if you choose the correct startup directory). | ||
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| + | For the preparation of your observations we recommend to prepare a catalog in the VAX format and convert it into the new format afterwards. | ||
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| === Using catalogME as "Astro-PC" === | === Using catalogME as "Astro-PC" === | ||
| - | If you have been to Effelsberg before, you probably know our "Astro-PC" display. It shows the current Effelsberg sky and is often used by observers and operators to search for suitable pointing/calibration sources etc. CatalogME can be used as an easier-to-use alternative. If you close the Catalog editor and Interaction docks (you can bring them back in the view menu), the plot display is (almost) full screen. One can choose from several pre-defined pointing/calibration catalogs using the catalogs menu. Also, planets and the galactic/ecliptic planes can be activated for convenience. Even satellites in Earth's orbit can be shown, but one should make sure to use an up-to-date set of satellite TLE's (two-line elements). | + | If you have been to Effelsberg before, you probably know our "Astro-PC" display. It shows the current Effelsberg sky and is often used by observers and operators to search for suitable pointing/calibration sources etc. CatalogME can be used as an easier-to-use alternative. If you close the Catalog editor and Interaction docks (you can bring them back in the view menu), the plot display is (almost) full screen. One can choose from several pre-defined pointing/calibration catalogs using the catalogs menu. Also, planets and the galactic/ecliptic planes can be activated for convenience. Even satellites in Earth's orbit can be shown, but one should make sure to use an up-to-date set of satellite TLE's (two-line elements). For convenience, CatalogME tries to run a script to load TLEs from a remote server every 12 hours. Only if this fails, the user needs to do it manually. |
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| The TLEs need to be updated frequently, since the orbits of satellites are suspect to quick changes. In the sub-directory ''satellite_tle'' there is a script ''update_tle.sh'' which can be used to download some predefined satellite TLEs. | The TLEs need to be updated frequently, since the orbits of satellites are suspect to quick changes. In the sub-directory ''satellite_tle'' there is a script ''update_tle.sh'' which can be used to download some predefined satellite TLEs. | ||
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information_for_astronomers/user_guide/pycatalog.1372933448.txt.gz · Last modified: 2013/08/22 22:08 (external edit)
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