National Aeronautics and Space Administration

It is recommended that source identifications be coded using the following character-valued keywords:

• CATIDn

where n is an integer index in the range 1 - 9.

It should be stressed that the CATIDn keyword augments, rather than replaces, the standard OBJECT keyword. Furthermore, when indexed, the CATIDn keywords should only be used to give alternative identifications to the SAME source. It is NOT to be used to give identifications to multiple sources in a given observation.

Users are encouraged to use catalog abbreviations as given in the current version of 'The First Dictionary of Nomenclature of Celestial Objects' (Fernandez, Lortet & Spite 1983), it's first supplement (Lortet & Spite 1986), and any future supplements. COMMENT cards should translate any abbreviation which are used for catalogs not listed in these articles. Catalog abbreviations should be given with spaces replaced by underscores; one or more spaces should separate the catalog abbreviation from the source entry in the catalog. Ancilliary information such as the reference to the catalog can, of course, be embedded in COMMENT cards.

Examples of Usage

Example 1

CATID1  = 'HD 153919'          / identification of source
COMMENT   Henry Draper Catalog, Cannon, A., 1925 HCO

CATID1  = 'MPSLX 3'             / identification of source
COMMENT   MPSLX: The ROSAT MERGED SOURCE LIST for pointing
CATID2  = 'HD 153919'           / alternative identification of source
COMMENT   Henry Draper Catalog, Cannon, A., 1925 HCO
CATID3  = '4U 1700-37'          / alternative identification of source
COMMENT   4th Uhuru catalog

OBJECT  = 'NORTH ECLIPTIC POLE'
CATID1  = 'MPLSX 5'            / identification of source
COMMENT   MPSLX: The ROSAT MERGED SOURCE LIST for pointing