ISO Frequently Asked Questions

Last update: 15 October 2004
  1. ISO Data Archive
  2. Pipeline Data Processing
  3. Interactive Data Processing
  4. Visiting the IDC 
   


ISO Data Archive

 
 Q.IDA.1: Which platforms are necessary for accessing the ISO Data Archive?
    
 A.IDA.1: In order to access the ISO Data Archive you will need a browser 
          such as Netscape 4.5 or Internet Explorer 4.0 or any other 
          fully compliant with java 1.1.  (for more details see the 
          ISO Data Archive FAQs).

 Q.IDA.2: I want to retrieve a large amount of data from the ISO Data Archive.
          Is that possible?

 A.IDA.2: Currently, you are allowed to retrieve a maximum of 1 Gb per day. 
          In case of need, you can contact https://support.cosmos.esa.int/iso and
          make a request to temporarily increase your quota.

 Q.IDA.3: I registered as a new Archive User but my account has not been 
          activated. What is wrong? Who should I contact?

 A.IDA.3: You might have entered a wrong e-mail address in your user profile.
          If you think this is correct, please contact https://support.cosmos.esa.int/iso. 




Pipeline Data Processing


 Q.OLP.1: What is a FITS binary table and how do I read one?

 A.OLP.1: Most of the ISO data products are formatted as FITS binary tables.
          A binary table has an overall header and a bunch of binary data
          streams which are each described by their own sub-header. This allows
          ISOCAM, for example, to stack all the raster pointings into a single
          FITS structure with the individual FITS header attached to each 
          pointing. The formats are described in detail in the relevant 
          Handbooks and the IDPD (ISO Data Products Document). 

          FITS Binary tables are different from simple FITS images and 
          therefore cannot be directly read by programs which expect FITS 
          images (i.e. IRAF). 

          They are easily handled by the IDL-based ISO Interactive Analysis 
          Packages written by the different Instrument Dedicated Teams and
          available at the ISO Data Centre in Villafranca, Spain, where the
          development of some of them (PIA and CIA) have been led, or at the
          corresponding National Data Centres. 

          IDL (Interactive Data Language) is a commercial package on which most 
          of the ISO data reduction software is based. The "Astrolib" add-on to 
          IDL provides a number of routines to handle FITS Binary Tables, e.g. 
          fxbopen, fxbread.

    
 Q.OLP.2: What are the "Cal-G" files? How can I get the latest version 
          available of these Cal-G files? 

 A.OLP.2: Cal-G files are the "general" calibration files which are used for 
          the off-line processing of the data. They include such things as 
          dark-current measurements, the conversion from instrumental to 
          astronomical units, flatfields, etc. 
          In some cases it may be beneficial to re-reduce older data using the 
          new Cal-G files which are currently available under the latest 
          version of the different IA packages or through the ISO Data Archive.


    

Interactive Data Processing

 
 Q.IA.1: What is an "IA"? 
 
 A.IA.1: An IA is an Interactive Analysis Package; these are data analysis and 
         reduction programmes written by the Instrument Teams. The IAs are 
         offered to the community by the ISO Data Centre in Villafranca, Spain, 
         and by the corresponding National Data Centres. 

 Q.IA.2: How can I get the Interactive Analysis S/W packages: CIA, PIA. LIA,
         OSIA and ISAP? 

 A.IA.2: The Interactive Analysis software packages can be downloaded from the
         page: http://general-tools.cosmos.esa.int/iso/archive/software/. 




Visiting the IDC


 Q.IDC.1: Is it possible to visit the ISO Data Centre? What do I have to do?
          What kind of support can I expect from IDC staff?

 A.IDC.1: Visitors are welcome to reduce and analyse their ISO data at 
          the ISO Data Centre (IDC). Its staff provides technical and
          scientific support on all instruments, with the latest ISO
          data analysis software and a wide range of expertise in 
          instrument performance and calibration. 

          If you want to visit us, fill in our registration form and send it 
          to our ISO Helpdesk  by e-mail at https://support.cosmos.esa.int/iso. 
       

 Q.IDC.2: How can I access the ISO Data Centre? Is there any hotel around VILSPA?
     
 A.IDC.2: Unfortunately, there are no hotels around the site and public
          transport is very poor. We recommend that you hire a car in 
          the Airport. Information about hotels and transportation can
          be found at: http://general-tools.cosmos.esa.int/iso/users/visitors/visitors.php.


 Q.IDC.3: What are the S/W, H/W facilities available at the IDC for data reduction?

 A.IDC.3: Currently there is a visitor's room equipped with 5 dedicated machines
          available for visitors with local CD-ROM drives installed and access 
          to printing facilities (B/W, colour and slides) as well as to DAT and
          Exabyte drives. All these machines have the different Interactive S/W 
          Analysis packages installed as well as internet (WWW navigators and
          e-mail) facilities. Other communication facilities, such as telephone
          and FAX are also available in the same room.

          In addition, there is also the possibility to use in the same room
          a PC equipped with a scanner and a CD/DVD-writer.