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Writing data tapes

The first tape copy of the data (the D-tape) is kept by the observatory and stored in the data archive. Currently D-tapes are in FITS format on DAT. It is the responsibility of the observer to write the D-tape. To do this log in to the observing computer LPVE (VAX) as OBSERVER (password known to local staff). Type STARTFITS to initialize FITS procedures. The tape must be mounted foreign (e.g. MOUNT/FOR MUA1:). New FITS tapes have to be initialised with FITSINIT, and then they may be written on with WRITE_FITS, in each case follow the prompts. WRITE_FITS will append to tapes (i.e. existing files will not be overwritten unless FITSINIT is issued first), and about 400 full frame Tek 1024 images can be stored on a single DAT.

The Observer's copy of the data (the C-tape) can be a copy of the D-tape, which can be requested by filling in a tape copy request form, a Backup of the data directories, or a separate DAT or Exabyte written in exactly the same way as the D-tape. The FITS writing routines can be run from any username, and two tapes may be written simultaneously (see Sections 4.9 and 7.1 for more details).



manuals store
Wed Sep 17 12:36:20 BST 1997