Catalog and Integrated Archives

Astronomical catalog data can be retrieved from IRSA, CDS or NED. The first two use a forms input where the user can specify which catalog to search, whether to constrain the search to a region of the sky (a point/radius search or the box on the sky corresponding to the current image displayed by Oasis), the output catalog fields desired, and any constraints that should be applied.

NED will return a list of sources for a region, with linkage back to detailed NED information (dynamically via a WWW Browser page).

Retrieved files are automatically overlayed on the Oasis image display as a set of source symbols.

 

IRSA Catalog Search

The IRSA Catalog Search form has the following components:

  • Menu bar
  • Field selection reset and SQL popup buttons
  • Sky region specification information
  • Catalog selection pulldown
  • Catalog field constraints table
  • Result file specification
  • Submit/Cancel buttons
The menu pulldowns are for the most part reproduced more conveniently on various buttons. The exception is a set of options on the Select menu for setting pre-defined field lists for retrieval.

The Oasis catalog search allows arbitrarily complex queries through an ancillary window where the user is allowed to edit the SQL that is to be sent to the DBMS. Here, they can add and and or constructs and specialized filtering. However, use of this functionality should be used by those with a clear understanding of SQL syntax.

By default, the IRSA catalog search region corresponds to the region displayed in the main window. This can be changed by selecting a different option on the Search Region pulldown. Then, if a Cone Search is selected, the user can enter the cone radius and center (an object name or coordinates).

When the IRSA Catalog Search form comes up, it checks with IRSA to get a list of the catalogs currently being served. This list is used to build the Catalog Selection pulldown, from which the user can select.

Once a catalog has been selected, IRSA is again contacted to get the information necessary to create a custom Catalog Field Constraints table. Here, the user checks off which columns they desire (or set them using the appropriate Select menu item), and place range constraints on individual fields.

Finally, the user Submits a request, the progress of which is can be monitored through messages displayed in a feedback region of the form.

Retrieved files are automatically overlayed on the Oasis image display as a set of source symbols.

 

CDS VizieR Search

The CDS VizieR Search form has the following components:

  • Menu bar
  • Field selection reset button
  • Sky region specification information
  • Catalog selection pulldown
  • Catalog field constraints table
  • Result file specification
  • Submit/Cancel buttons
The menu pulldowns are for the most part reproduced more conveniently on various buttons. The exception is a set of options on the Select menu for turning all field selections on and off.

By default, the VizieR catalog search region corresponds to the region displayed in the main window. This can be changed by selecting a different option on the Search Region pulldown. Then, if a Cone Search is selected, the user can enter the cone radius and center (an object name or coordinates). Currently, the Catalog Selection pulldown has a fixed set of the 100 most requested VizieR catalogs. We plan to replace this (when available) with a component from CDS which aids in catalog selection.

Once a catalog has been selected, CDS is contacted to get the information necessary to create a custom Catalog Field Constraints table. Here, the user checks off which columns they desire (or set them using the appropriate Select menu item), and place range constraints on individual fields.

Finally, the user Submits a request, whose progress can be monitored through messages displayed in a feedback region of the form.

Retrieved files are automatically overlayed on the Oasis image display as a set of source symbols.

 

NED Catalog Search

The NED Catalog Search (found under Remote-->NED catalog search) gives you a Search Region drop-down menu with three options:

  • Current Display: Press Submit to return a list of all NED sources covering the image currently displayed in the Oasis window.
  • Cone Search: Gives the user the option to search using a "within" clause.
  • FITS Image: Lets the user select another FITS image (other than the one currently displayed) to use as a search area.

In all three cases, pressing "Submit" will result in the retrieved sources being plotted as an overlay on the image. You can also select the retrieved table from the Layer Control menu to examine it more closely.