PlateStar.MakeMPC() Method
Create an observation record in the format prescribed by the IAU Minor Planet Center for optical observations.
Syntax
PlateStar.MakeMPC(Designation, ObservatoryCode, [PublishableNote], [DiscoveryAsterisk], [HighPrecision])
The method syntax has these parts:
| Part |
Description |
| Designation (Variant) |
This value may be an integer or a string. If it is an integer, it is interpreted as the IAU assigned object number ("numbered objects"). If it is a string, it is interpreted as a temporary or provisional designation for the object. See Remarks. |
| ObservatoryCode (String) |
The Observatory Code assigned to you by the MPC. If you don't have an observatory code, use "999". The string must be exactly 3 characters in length and alphameric.. |
| [PublishableNote] (String) |
Publishable note (single character code) as described in Publishable Notes For Observations Of Minor Planets at the Minor Planet Center. (optional, default value blank) |
| [DiscoveryAsterisk] (Boolean) |
True to include a discovery asterisk in this report line (optional, default = False) |
| [HighPrecision] (Boolean) |
If True, observation time and coordinates will have an extra fractional digit in place of the blank that normally follows these fields. [optional, default=False] |
| Return (String) |
An 80 character optical observation record for this PlateStar (which should really be a minor planet!). |
Remarks
There are several requirements which must be met for this method to succeed:
- This PlateStar must be a member of either the ImageStars or the MatchedStars collection of the parent Plate. Actually it makses little sense to use members of the MatchedStars collection since by definition they are real stars and not minor planets.
- The image must be plate solved so that WCS data is valid.
- The ImageStars collection must be valid. If the image has pre-existing WCS data in the FITS header, then only a call to FindImageStars() is required to build the ImageStars collection. Otherwise, call Plate.Solve() to calculate coordinate data (plate constants) and optionally Plate.WriteWCS() to make the WCS data permanent in the FITS image file.
- The parent Plate must have valid values for several properties (either set manually or taken from FITS information). Required properties are:
- ExposureStartTime
- ExposureInterval
- The Designation parameter must be either an integer in the range 1 to 99999 (numbered object) oir a string that is exactly 7 characters in length. If you need to use a (6-character) temporary designation, include a trailing blank (space character) to make it 7 characters in length. Any deviation from this will cause an "out of range" error. When constructing MPC-specified "temporary" designations, which are 6 characters in length, be sure to add a trailing blank to make the string 7 characters in length. If Designation is not a string or integer, it will cause an "invalid type" error.
- The ObservatoryCode must be 3 characters in length and consist only of alphameric characters. As of the release of PinPoint, the observatoriy codes were numeric less than 999. It was anticipated that observatory codes would be expanded through the use of alphabetic characters, hence this is a String parameter.
- The PublishableNote, if supplied, must be a single character in length.
If the Plate.TDIMode property is set True, the observation time in the MPC report line will be adjusted for drift-scanning.
Copyright © 1999-2015, Robert B. Denny, Mesa, AZ