• Sky Insight Search

The User Object Files Project takes data from astronomical catalogues available on the Internet, such as those available from the Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg (and its mirrors), manipulates the data in a database, and outputs discrete data elements such as positional data (RA and DEC), magnitude, etc. to simple text files. These files can then be used by ECU to display the objects, provide some attribute information, and be used to point a telescope. The database also facilitates the manipulation of the data, using string, trignometric, and numeric functions, into the format required for use in ECU.

As an avid user of ECU, I developed a number of these User Object Files when working with collections of astronomical data, and I thought I would share these files with those using ECU in the astronomical community. The nice thing about a User Object File is that it goes beyond browsing tables or lists of object data by using ECU to present a unique visualization of astronomical objects. For example, ECU comes with a sample User Object File called "nearby.ecu", which includes within 80 light years of the Sun. The night sky looks very different with the normal stars "turned off", and the "nearby" stars "turned on"! User Object Files give the user a sense of the spatial distribution of objects, which provide different perspectives on the Universe.


What type of data is available?

The User Object Files presented at this Web site specialize in archiving and distributing collections of data that have been published by professional astronomers, and which may be useful to those in the astronomical community that employ ECU. The User Object data sets are in the form of simple, computer readable text files each of which can contain upwards of 10,000 objects. Up to 5 user object files an be loaded at once for a total of 50,000 addtional objects.

As shown on the User Object Files Archives Page, a myriad of User Object Files are available, and more are under development. These files include positional, photometric, and object name/designation for star systems, galactic objects, extragalactic objects, and miscellaneous files for casual and/or challenging observing.

If you would like to see a particular type of User Object Files, e-mail your request to ecu “at” newcastleobservatory "dot" com.


How do I get to the data files?

As noted above, the ECU Archives Page provides a listing of files currently available. The User Object Files are subdivided into object categories; stellar, extra galactic and miscellaneous objects. You can read about any User Object File by browsing the text files under "Description". After reviewing the User Object File description, users can download (after registering, see below) a User Object File data set, which also includes the documentation found under "Description".

Please note that the User Object Files have been compressed, and are in "zip" format. The compressed file size (which includes the documentation) and the uncompressed User Object File(s) sizes are provided for information. Once a data set of interest has been found, users can register the files to be downloaded. By registering, you benefit from e-mail notices of file additions and updates. Your registration is kept confidential, and will not be redistributed.

Each file is distributed with the applicable User Object File in a single zip archive, and contains documentation comprising the following information:

• OVERVIEW
• NUMBER OF OBJECTS, NUMBER OF FILES and FILE SIZE
• HANDLING NOTES
• SOURCE
• FILE FORMAT
• CONTACT
• DISCLAIMER
• TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Comments and technical questions can be directed to ecu “at” newcastleobservatory "dot" com.