FITS HANDLER

NOTE: This applet doesn't run across the network due to the large data files involved. So go here and get all the files.

Two windows should be open. This one in which the instructions are given and a smaller one which contains the actual applet that we will be using.

Tutorial:

This applet does lots and lots and lots of things.

Here is some limited documentation.

A set of FITS images has been supplied with the applet. Instructions on how to add additiional images or to obtain different image sets is available on the web update page.

For this distribution you have:

• B and R images of M39.

  A finding chart and table of values for stars can be found in Weaver 1953

  Students can measure stars manually (obtain instrumental mangitudes but the real zero point can also be added) by using the individual B and R frames or if they select the combination then the stars will be measure automatically.

• a fits image of the full moon

• a blue band image of M101

• A 100ms image of a random star field and a 10 second image of that same field to get students to understand that if you expose longer you detect more things.

• A three color image set of NGC 2403 and M81 if you want to do comparative galaxy morphology. If you select the line with the 3 image sets on it, a color image will be produced (see documentation).

• A V and I image of M51 to show how the spiral structure is much better defined at V than at I.

  I am sure there will be questions about how this is used so feel free to call me. This applet is very robust and does many things but the learning curve on it (like that in IRAF) is probably non-trivial.