Output Files

There is a single output file for each session unless a deliberate change is made using the OUTPUT command. This contains the following information:

The name or position of the target and the assumed configuration details.

The J2000 positions of all of the guide stars meeting the selection criteria, up to the specified number.

The calculated guide probe coordinates for each of the guide stars (x y or r $\theta$).

The magnitudes of the guide stars (to be used in evaluating integration times).

An asterisk after the probe position indicates that the object is classified as stellar on all GSC plates and a ? represents an ambiguous classification. No symbol is given for objects classified as non-stellar on all plates. These should only be used as guide stars in case of dire need.

For example:

   GSS - LIST OF GUIDE STAR DATA FOR GIVEN TARGETS
 =====================================================

 Key: * = star, blank = non-star, ? = ambiguous object
 =====================================================

 Target:                      Equinox  PA   Tel  Focus
 20  0  0.00  +40  0  0.00    J2000.0  0.0  WHT  CASS      
   Date       Apx     Apy  Vmax  Vmin
 1993.060     0.0     0.0   8.0  16.0

    RA2000       Dec2000     Mag        r     theta  
 19 59 26.30  +39 51 51.59   9.72    27231.   128486.  *
 20  0 32.97  +39 51 36.04   9.88    28812.    52998.  
 20  0  7.59  +39 49 37.99  11.38    28238.    82003.  *
------------------------------------------------------

In addition, the BLIND command generates some additional information:

The position of the reference star.

The probe offsets required to move between the reference and the target.

For instance:

   GSS - LIST OF GUIDE STAR DATA FOR GIVEN TARGETS
 =====================================================

 Key: * = star, blank = non-star, ? = ambiguous object
 =====================================================

 Reference: REFERENCE            Equinox  PA  
 20  0  0.00  +40  0  0.00       J2000.0  0.0
 Target:    TARGET               Equinox  PA  
 20  0  0.00  +40  0 10.00       J2000.0  0.0
 Tel  Focus       Date       Apx     Apy  Vmax  Vmin
 INT  CASS       1995.975    23.6     1.5   6.0  14.0

    RA2000       Dec2000     Mag        x         y      del x     del y 
 19 59 26.30  +39 51 51.59   9.72   570092.   586001.        0.     1853.  *
 20  0 32.97  +39 51 36.04   9.88   427869.   588885.        0.     1853.   
------------------------------------------------------

Here, the guide probe coordinates are for the reference object, and del x and del y are the amounts by which the probe should be moved in order to acquire the target.

References

Jenkner, H. et al. , 1990. Astron. J., 99, 2081.
Lasker, B. et al. , 1990. Astron. J., 99, 2019.
Russell, J.L. et al. 1990. Astron. J., 99, 2059.
Taff, L.G. et al. 1990. Astrophys.J., 353, L48.