There’s a huge amount of astronomical data on the web and Topcat can give you easy access to a big chunk of it.
#Topcat astronomy code#
If you are drowning in search windows from different data archives and wasting time writing code to plot graphs of the simplest datasets then maybe it’s time to look at Topcat, a nifty little Java application to make life easier. Niall also blogs about astronomy at weareallinthegutter. In 2012 he was awarded (along with 500 million other EU citizens) the Peace Nobel price.This is a guest post-featuring our first screencast!-from Niall Deacon who studies brown dwarfs and white dwarfs in the Pan-STARRS survey at the University of Hawai`i. In 2007 he moved to Heidelberg, and joined the Gaia collaboration, being responsible amongst others for the Ground Based Optical tracking (GBOT, ) programme. He then moved on to a Postdoc at the Universidad de Chile from 2003 – 2007. Martin Altmann studied in Bonn, obtaining his PhD on the kinematics of BHB/EHB stars in Nov. Some of the resulting outcomes will be presented during the discussion of this of the hands on session.Ībout the Speaker: Dr. problems, given to the audience by the presenter. The second part will consist of some exercises, i.e. The first part of this module will consist of the presented carrying out some examples of problems, either canned ones, or coming out of the audience. Basic examples for ADQL queries will be presented and some advanced options of object selection on the remote platform highlighted.Ĥ. The participant needs to understand that accessing large databases, such as Gaia DRX, require some strategy on behalf of the accessing party, in order to keep the infrastructure accessible, given that capacities are finite. This module seeks to explain and justify why this rather complicated approach has been chosen for the preferred access to large catalogue data, such as the Gaia catalogues. Querying VO databases, using ADQL to get hold of your pet objects in large Catalogues, e.g. Using STILTS without the TOPCAT visual interface presents a variety of advantages, but also some drawbacks.ģ.
![topcat astronomy topcat astronomy](https://windows-cdn.softpedia.com/screenshots/TOPCAT-Full_1.png)
This module is intended to present the STILTS software, which is underlying TOPCAT. STILTS – The powerful beast behind the “Cat”. This should convey enough information for everyone to become proficient with the daily use of this software.Ģ. While by far not designed to be exhaustive, by the end of this session, the participant should be able to use TC fluently, and be able to perform actions using most of the major functions that are available. This module is designed to intensify and deepen the aptness of the attendant in the usage of TOPCAT. By the end everyone should be able to start the software, do data i/o, make basic plots in the plane and histogram windows, work with tables, and obtain data from remote (internet sources). This module is intended to familiarize the attendant with the TOPCAT software, to highlight the main and basic functions. TOPCAT – learning to know and love the quintessential tool for plotting data for astrophysics and beyond STILTS: Starlink Tables Infrastructure Library Tool Setġ. TOPCAT:Tool for OPerations on Catalogues And Tables
#Topcat astronomy manuals#
After this microworkshop, the participants will have some familiarity with the software presented, being able to perform basic operations without having to consult the web manuals or other sources of help, and more complex ones, with the help provided by the arbiter of the software.
![topcat astronomy topcat astronomy](http://www.star.bris.ac.uk/~mbt/topcat/figures/TableViewerWindow.png)
Specialized software packages to query, retrieve, and do quick analysis of astronomical databases greatly simplify the scientific exploitation of them. Accepted participants will receive a confirmation e-mail, and further preparatory instructions. Natalia Atencio Priority will be given to graduate students. To register please send an e-mail with your name, status (graduate student, postdoc, faculty, etc.), and formal affiliation to Mrs. NOTE: Due to logistical constraints, the audience is limited to 30 registered participants.Īttendees are **required** to bring their own laptop computer. Sponsored by: Millennium Institute of Astrophysics () Martin Altmann, Center for Astronomy (ZAH), University of Heidelberg Microworkshop on using TOPCAT, STILTS, and ADQL on Astronomical databasesįrom 9:30hrs – 16:00hrs, coffee break providedĬampus San Joaquin, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chileĭelivered by: Dr.