I've been following the recent thread about observation reports and priority lists of satellites needing observations, and thought this is a good moment to tell the list that at Heavens-Above we are setting up a database which can be used to; - enter observations using a web page interface - list the observations in the database based on selection criteria such as object ID, observer and date range - perform on-line elset generation using these observations as input We realise that some observers will not want to use this system as well as posting the obs to SeeSat, and so we also intend to have pages which can be used to parse observations in other commonly used formats such as Russel Eberst's, IOD etc. This will allow posted obs. reports to be pasted directly into a text window on a web form and the server will then extract the data into the database when the form is submitted. The obs. entry forms will have the additional benefit that the observations can be immediately checked for obvious errors by comparing the observation with what would be expected from the existing elset for that object. There are many occasions when observers post corrections to observations, and this system should avoid this necessity by catching errors before they end up in the database. If any observer doesn't want his or her observations put in the database, we will, of course, respect that wish. To use the full capability of the system (i.e. to be able to enter observations) you will need to apply obtain a userid and password in a similar manner to OIG, and also specify your latitude, longitude and altitude. Anonymous visitors will still be able to search the database, list observations and generate elsets. I wanted to get this system running a few months back, but other projects have prevented this, but after I get back from my holidays at the beginning of September, I will make a determined effort to get it running. I am also considering a more general observations bulletin board, where users could enter more "wordy" descriptions of observations which would also be cataloged by object and observer and could be searched by others. I welcome feedback and will make the obs entry forms etc. available for review before they are finalised - I am not an experienced observer, and so am counting on suggestions for improvements from those who are. Bye for now, Chris Chris Peat, Heavens-Above GmbH E-mail: Chris.Peat@heavens-above.com Web site: www.heavens-above.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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