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.