Uploading a List of Targets

Using the button, one can upload a file containing a list of astronomical object names and/or positions. These object names and/or positions are then added to one's form. Note: Any other required fields in the target/observation form will still need to be filled out using the web interface. Alternatively, after adding some targets, one can use the Save button to download a plain text representation of the ARK form which one can then edit and Reload into ARK.

The uploaded file should contain one astronomical object name and/or position per line. (Blank lines and lines beginning with # are ignored.) Each line should contain a comma-separated list of astronomical name, longitude, latitude, and coordinate system. These four items may be separated by vertical bar characters (|) instead of commas, if so desired.

If the position is not specified, the object name will be resolved using either the HEASARC GRB, SIMBAD, Sesame (VizieR), or NED name resolvers (in that order). The coordinate system does not need to be specified in this scenario. If for some reason the astronomical object name cannot be unambiguously resolved by these name resolvers, the coordinates will be left unspecified and the user must enter them explicitly.

Valid coordinate systems:

J2000

Equatorial FK5 system with equinox 2000.0 — If a position is specified without a coordinate system, the coordinate system will default to this.

B1950

Equatorial FK4 system with equinox 1950.0

J####.####

Equatorial FK5 system with an arbitrary equinox consisting of any four-digit year and optional decimal portion

B####.####

Equatorial FK4 system with an arbitrary equinox consisting of any four-digit year and optional decimal portion

Galactic

IAU galactic coordinate system introduced in 1958

Example targets file:

Cyg X-1
Cyg X-2,12.345,12.345,Galactic
Cyg X-3|12.345|12.345|J1955.5|
|12.345|12.345|B1950|
G351.2+0.1
XTE J2123-058