#535 BAA database submission file format support

[James]

Would it be possible to add support for reading data from BAA VSS database submission files. Details of the file format are available here http://www.britastro.org/vss/Guide%20to%20CCD%20File%20layout%20-%2020140119.pdf

[David Benn]

Hi James. That's a nice document! Yes, happy to add this to my TODO list. Would you be willing to test this observation source plug-in when it's been developed? Could you attach or point me to a couple of example files?

I could imagine using files of this format to replace or at least supplement the procedural notes I make when doing DSLR photometry. A few comments/questions for future consideration, but nothing tha would affect creation of a plug-in:

• The comments header section could probably be even larger, e.g. for more process details.
• Does BAA centrally store such files for archiving?
• The filter lst could be made to correspond to that in AAVSO's extended file format and database.
• Is the ref star section meant to include check star?
• If exposure time per image is mandatory, then, for DSLR, shouldn't F-stop and ISO also be? What about whether the images were stacked? Median or arithmetic.

[James]

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply, I've attached two examples of the files one from a CCD and the other a DSLR.
As to your questions:
I don't know if the files are stored or just used to update the online database.
The BAA does not use check stars just one or more ref stars.
F-stop, ISO etc are not recorded.
If you need more information you could try emailing the database administrator (vssdbm@britastro.org).

Kind regards
james

[David Benn]

Thanks James. I'll get to this as soon as I can. Please feel free to ask about it if you don't hear from me in a reasonable timeframe though. David

[James]

Hi David,

Has there been any progress on BAA file format support?

James