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Converting ascii source lists to VOTable format
A user has a privately created source list in ascii format and wishes to utilise VO tools for e.g. correlation with external archives. To do this the user needs to convert the input table to VOTable format. This is straightforward to do.
Prerequisites
The typical minimum requirements are that the input ascii table contains 3 comma separated columns:
- unique identifier - no spaces.
- RA - degree format preferred, spaces permitted for sexagesimal format assuming columns are comma separated.
- DEC - as for RA.
Example input table:
A simple source list of the kind shown below
| Name | RA | DEC |
|---|---|---|
| source1 | 01 02 03.45 | +00 01 02.34 |
| source2 | 02 03 04.56 | +01 02 03.45 |
| source3 | 03 04 05.67 | +02 03 04.56 |
should be uploaded to TopCat in the following simple ascii, comma separated form:
name,ra,dec
source1,01 02 03.45,+00 01 02.34
source2,02 03 04.56,+01 02 03.45
source3,03 04 05.67,+02 03 04.56
Convert to VOTable
Having uploaded the table into TopCat, convert RA,DEC values from sexagesimal format into degree format using the relevant TopCat conversion and coordinate functions. Then simply save the table from TopCat in VOTable format. Your input table is now ready to interface with the VO world of archives and tools!
Further Help
Please email helpdesk@astrogrid.org if further assistance required.