Radio Eyes Help
Numerous files and directories are used by RE to achieve a flexible interface that can be customized and grow, and change with time. Some of the file formats used are common file types while others are custom formats developed to allow the program to operate on large data sets quickly.
Observer Files (.obs)
Observer files define essential information that allow the program to adopt the
location and time coordinates of observers at specific locations. These are text
files that include the following (Only the characters between the quote symbols
are actually included in the file) :
Latitude " 19.2000007629395"
Longitude " 155.866668701172"
Time Zone "-10"
Location Description "Papa, Hawaii"
Daylight Savings Time Rule Number " 0"
Horizon File "C:\Program Files\Radio
Eyes\Horizons\Papa_Hawaii_Horizon.txt" (Optional)
Horizon File (.txt .*)
These files are simple text files where each line consists of two numbers; an
integer azimuth in degrees (North = 0), and a corresponding elevation that
indicates the observers minimum horizon in that direction. Example:
0 15.4
for azimuth = 0 and elevation = 15.4 degrees. A space occurs between the
numbers. It is not necessary to define every point on the horizon. Points in-between
defined points are interpolated by the program. The Horizon
File Editor is useful in creating these files. The files must be saved in
the program subdirectory \Horizons\.
The Pulsar File - ATNFpulsar.psr
This file is in the \Catalog\ directory and includes information extracted from
the ATNF pulsar list. The file format is proprietary. Periodically, the list may
be updated and will require replacing as new pulsars are discovered.
Radio Source File ( _RE.dat)
These are random access files (all file entries are the same length) that define
discrete cosmic radio sources, primarily by their position (Epoch 2000) and
known flux densities at up to 10 different frequencies. Other information may be
included about the sources in a 400 byte comment section. Entries are sorted in
order of right ascension. These files may be edited and created using
tools provided by the program. The information is generally derived from
radio source catalogs or surveys that are available on the Internet. Since
the .dat extension is commonly used, it is suggested but not required that all
new radio source files be saved with a _RE.dat ending. Also created is an
index file (.idx) which points to record numbers corresponding to each hour of
right ascension. These files are currently used by the program but may be
implemented in future versions in order to allow large data sets of sources to
be more quickly searched.
Star File (.dst)
A star file and associated index file is located in the \Stars\ directory.
This file contains information for optical stars down to magnitude 5. This
is a random access file of proprietary format and currently is not modifiable by
the end user.
View Files (.rev)
View files contain information for recreating most of the aspects of a
particular sky map. These are proprietary format files that may be found in the
\View\ directory.
Background Files (.gif .RET)
Background files are found in the \Background\ directory. These are the files
used to create the background image and an array of values associated with each
area on the image. These associated values are most often equivalent temperature
values, but may be anything that has been plotted for the sky, for example,
neutral hydrogen molecules per cubic centimeter. The .RET file holds the array
of values for each position coordinate. This file is created from a FITs file
with a provided tool. A windows friendly representation of the metadata in
the original FITs file is also contained within the RET file. Several picture
(image) files may be associated with a single RET file, allowing the user to
display the background in a wide range of color schemes. Note that the .gif file
is the file that is targeted when loading a new background. All
.gif files associated with a particular .RET file MUST have names beginning with
the first 6 characters of the associated .RET file! Specifics
of creating these files are covered elsewhere in more detail.
Background Color Scheme Files (.CLR)
Different background images pose different sets of contrast problems in
displaying grid lines, symbols for radio sources, etc.. You may create a color
scheme file with the same root name as the background image but with the file
extension CLR that will load automatically when you load the particular
background image file. Instructions for doing this are found on the Colors
Dialog help page. The file resides in the \Background\ directory with the
image files (.gif) and RET files. It is compose of list of color values
corresponding to the different object that might be drawn on the background.
Rotator Definition Files (.ROT)
OBSOLETE - No longer used These files are only used by users with the Automation Edition of Radio
Eyes. Rotator definition files are found in the \Rotator\ directory.
These are text files which define the characteristics of the rotator interface
used to move an antenna. Details are covered elsewhere.
Automation Script Files (.REA)
OBSOLETE - No longer used These files are only used by users with the Automation Edition of Radio
Eyes. Automation Script files are found in the \Rotator\ directory.
These are text files which outline the pointing behavior of antennas over time.
Complex observation schemes can be implemented using these script files in
conjunction with rotator definition files. Details are covered elsewhere.
Format Files (.FMT)
Used only when by the Radio Source File
Conversion Tool when converting an ASCII text table radio source catalog
into _RE.dat format. Details of the format are found here.
Active Label Scripts (.RLS)
These are text files of specific
commands which dictate the behavior of Active
Labels. These files must be located in the \LabelScripts\ directory under
the main program directory.
Help Directory
Contains html help files.
HTML Directory
Contains html information and image files for specific radio sources. These may
be modified by the user to enhance available information from within the
program.