spectro-aras.com

Hello everyone!

Marco Leonardi and me developed a new version of the spreadsheet. Accuracy is improved with a new algorithm. Starting from J2000 coordinates, precession is now calculated on the chosen date (the old version internally uses static coordinates for Miles stars set to 2014, year it was published). We also add an option which considers the atmospheric refraction (in standard atmosphere).

The output list contains the "Object type", as categorized in Simbad, an important information to assess whether the selected star is fit for purpose (flux calibration). In fact, several stars exhibit variability which might impact on the spectral continuum.

The first column of the output list, to the left of star name, contains a link to the related Simbad page (a star symbol), which may be useful to get more information or check the star field in the AladinLite window (sometime crowded). The link may not work when using a proxy server or with a firewall that does not allow HTTP requests.

The library profile of the Miles catalog star HD223385 was incorrect and has been fixed (probably an error in the original not dereddened profiles archive "gustavo.fits.tar.gz").

I'd like to thank David Boyd for pointing the wrong profile out to me and suggesting to add a note about the stars variability.



Spreadsheet (64 bit version, 1 Mb):
http://quasar.teoth.it/html/varie/MILES_SEARCH_V1_3.zip

Miles spectral database (34 Mb):
http://quasar.teoth.it/html/varie/MILES_OBS_V2.zip

For installation ad use see the first post in the topic. Please, report any problems, "suspected" stars, bugs, etc...

Best wishes and stay safe!
Paolo

Hi all,

a new version (1.4) that allows you to search target coordinates by providing name (follows a nice suggestion from David!). Excel VBA code internally uses MS Internet Explorer for this work. If you can browse Simbad with IE, the search should work.

To start, press the Simbad button to enter the target name.



In case of new targets (i.e. a transient), fill in the coordinates fields as in the previous versions.

Spreadsheet (64 bit version, 1 Mb):
http://quasar.teoth.it/html/varie/MILES_SEARCH_V1_4.zip

Miles spectral database (34 Mb) * not changed *
http://quasar.teoth.it/html/varie/MILES_OBS_V2.zip

Clear sky!
Paolo

Thank you Paolo,
Very useful
Cheers,
François

Hello Paolo and Marco,

Thank you very much for this wonderful tool and the excellent upgrades! I use it constantly, it rarely gets a rest:)

Woody Sims

Hi, I'd really like to use the tool but have problems so far; may I ask if:

1) anyone used it successfully with Open Office?
I tried with both Mac & PC (windows 10), both 32 & 64-bit; file can open (OpenOffice is 32-bit) but there seems to be some formatting issues.
Inputs for "UT Date & Time, Target Alt, Az, PA, Airmass" show #NAME? I tried keying in values/ modifying date/ time formats, didn't work.
Am I doing something wrong or silly?

2) I tried online tools like google doc & onedrive but it didnt work too

Thanks to Paolo and Marco for the tool; any help is greatly appreciated!
At moment I create observing lists in skysafari for my Ref stars; but it seems like a hassle compared to this tool.

Regards
SK

Dear Seow Koon, I'm very sorry, the spreadsheet only works with MS Excel, latest versions. Even older versions have problems! Marco and I tried to run it on other free spreadsheets (i.e. LibreOffice) but without success. There would be, in theory, statements that make the code compatible with Excel VBA (in the same example "Option VBASupport 1") but it doesn't help, only basic VB commands work properly. A number of commands and kernel32 calls end up in error. Of course, better would be to say, I'm not that skilled in my programming knowledge to make it run on other platforms. I'd be really happy if someone manage that!

Clear sky!
Paolo

Dear Paolo
Thank you so much for your reply!
I will have to look at getting MS excel then : )
Thanks!
Regards
SK

This spreadsheet looks great - sadly I have had a few attempts to run it and its failed every time. Many of the fields simply display #VALUE! and a number of selections result in Runtime error 13. I suspect my issue is that I am running Excel on a Mac.

For example the UT Date and UT Time fields are not complete as the spreadsheet is looking for the computer time. The Simbad search button accepts the target name but reports it cannot find data as the computer is not connected to the internet. Inputting the Simbad string in C5 does not update the Target RA and Target Dec.

These are just examples - if there is an easy fix, I'd love to hear about it.

Pete

Hi Peter, I also suspect errors come from the Mac version. I don't have a Mac to try it but searching the web I've found that one of the main differences between excel for Mac and for Windows is a lesser VBA (visual basic for application) integration. In other words, may happen you can't just import the code and let it run. Sorry about the bad news!

I would like to mention a great tool to look for reference stars by François Teyssier:

http://www.spectro-aras.com/forum/viewt ... f=8&t=2301

It also uses VBA but maybe it has more multiplatform compatibility. You should try...

Clear sky!
Paolo

I run it no problem on mac with excel in ms office 2004 (rather an old office version, but i own it and have not yet been forced to "upgrade".

It's a fantastic reference tool!