Read a list of objects from a text file.
Parameters: | dir : str
input_list : str, optional
|
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Notes
There are two file formats; one contains just a list of objects, the other has an RA and Dec for each object.
In both types any lines that start with # are ignored and treated as comments.
Object coordinates are determined by lookup with Simbad. You should make sure the object names you use are known to simbad.
The first non-comment line MUST be the word object and only the word object. It is case sensitive; Object or OBJECT will not work.
Remaining line(s) are name(s) of object(s), one per line. Case does not matter for object name.
Example:
# my list is below
object
m101
sz lyn
# the next object is after this comment
RR LYR
RA and Dec must be J2000.
RA must be given in hours, though it can be either sexagesimal (e.g. 19:25:27.9) or decimal (e.g. 19.423861).
Dec must be given in degrees, though it can be either sexagesimal (e.g. 42:47:3.69) or decimal (e.g. 42.7843583)
The first non-comment line MUST be these words: object,RA,Dec. These are column headings for your file. It is not case sensitive; for example, using DEC instead of Dec will work.
Each remaining line should be an object name, object RA and Dec. Case does not matter for object name.
Example:
# my list with RA and Dec
# RA and Dec are assumed to be J2000
# RA MUST BE IN HOURS
# DEC MUST BE IN DEGREES
object,RA,Dec
m101,14:03:12.583, +54:20:55.50
# note that the leading sign for the Dec is optional if Dec is
# positive
sz lyn,08:09:35.748, 44:28:17.61
# You can mix sexagesimal and decimal RA/Dec.
RR Lyr, 19.423861,42.7843583