Project Rainbows

Open Science Video Tutorial

On-going as of 2025-06-30!!! Stay tuned. 😀

Reducing the spectroscopy data obtained from the ALFOSC instrument of the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT).

This is part of a science research program “Obscured Quasar Environments” led by Maria Stone.

Author and Principal Investigator: Maria Stone

Part 1. Documentation and organization

 Youtube: YouTube video of the tutorial

Notes: Tutorial Notes on Google Docs

When you start a project, you need to get yourself organized and start the process of not only working on the data and getting the results, but also doing the necessary steps to keep records, to document your steps. This is essential in any science projects.

Here are some points to consider.

  • Create paper and/or electronic space for keeping your records organized for the project. I usually have a paper binder and an electronic directory. I also like to have a bookmark folder on my browser with all the commonly used website links that I can just open with one click every time I start working on the project
  • Download the raw data.
  • Create a working copy of the raw data. This will allow you to start over if you mess up, so that you don’t have to worry about modifying the original files. By the way, it is very normal if you have to start over, even many times.
  • Document everything. Your steps, your ideas, your thoughts, your questions. I often create summaries of what I have done after a chunk of work or after a day of work. I do also like to write what is the next thing to do at the end of working on a project that day. I like to keep lists:
    • todo list
    • list of questions
    • things to read
  • Document practical things as well, such as
    • paths to files
    • acknowledgements-> people, funding, instruments/telescopes
  • Consider starting a draft of the manuscript as you work on your project as well.

I find it very important to document everything. If I have not touched a project, reading over my own notes brings back to the memory the skeleton of the project, so I can resume the work. It is also easier to then make presentations for seminars or summaries for grant applications, and of course the manuscript for publication itself.

Part 2. Going through the End-of-Night (EON) Reports, sorting through files.

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • Mac Terminal window / bash commands
  • Sublime
  • Google Docs
  • Telescope Archive
  • Overleaf
  • Latex
  • SAOImageDS9

Skills introduced:

  • Managing a research project
  • Research Notes
  • Keeping records
  • End-of-night report
  • Organization of files
  • Understanding data
  • Drafting a paper publication
  • Understanding Observations

More Resources:

Part 3. Create combined science image without cosmic rays.

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • SAOImage DS9
  • QFitsView

Skills introduced:

  • Simple bash commands
  • Iraf environment
  • Digital image (2D), pixels
  • Keeping track of research records (log)
  • introduction to FITS header, extensions
  • Double checking one’s own work, for example by visualizing in DS9 the output images and input images
  • Writing quick summaries of steps done

Part 4. Visualizations to understand what is happening.

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • ADS
  • BibDesk
  • CCD technology (ALFOSC instrument)
  • COSMOS online knowledge base
  • SAOImage DS9 
  • SDSS Navigate Tool
  • NED database

Skills introduced:

  • Searching for information to learn concepts
  • Tips to manage references
  • Using DS9 to visualize observations -> what is the telescope/instrument doing?
  • Use large astronomical databases to see what data exists on an object and more
  • Problem solving example

Part 5. Make a diagram of the quasar field, overlaid with the slit.

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • Aladin

Skills introduced:

  • Making diagrams based on a sky map.
  • Marking orientation, scale, objects.

Part 6. Remove instrumental signature – Bias and Trim steps.

 

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • iraf

Skills introduced:

  • navigating iraf graphical interface

     

 

Part 7. Master Flat.

 

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • iraf

Skills introduced:

  • navigating iraf graphical interface 

 

Part 8. Normalazing Master Flat.

 

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • DS9

Skills introduced:

  • recognize the wavelength dispersion axis
  • fitting function concept

 

Part 9. Flat Field Correction.

 

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • DS9

Skills introduced:

  • signal processing concepts

 

Part 10. Trim Again.

 

Youtube : Video Recording here

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • DS9

Skills introduced:

  • problem solving

 

Part 11. Wavelength Calibration.

Youtube Step A: Video Recording here . (measuring arc line base-to-base width)
Youtube Step B: Video Recording here . (Identify)
Youtube Step C: Video Recording here . (Re-identify, fitcoords, transform)
Youtube Final wrap-up video: Here. (finale)

SORRY, there is a problem with the video in Step A. The first part of the video failed recording my screen ;(, but you can follow the Google Doc, all links are there. I added it to my ToDo list to maybe re-record or do some other type of damage control and maybe learn new skill of iMovie editing to reconstruct, but until it is done (it might take me some time), I post it here as is. The IRAF technical part did get recorded, on the other hand (whew!).

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs 

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • DS9

Concepts introduced:

 

Part 12. Background subtraction

Youtube Step A: Video Recording here . (Discussing Cosmic Removal)

Youtube Step B: Video Recording here. (IMCOPY, BACKGROUND tasks)

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs 

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • DS9
  • Lacosmic software 

Concepts introduced:

  • 2D vs 1D
  • cosmic rays
  • Acknowledgements for software tools

Other tutorials with polished stey-by-step procedures for spectroscopic reduction:
http://mips.as.arizona.edu/~khainline/osmos_redux.html

Part 13. Extraction of 1D spectrum

Youtube Video Recording here . 

Notes: Research Notes in Google Docs 

Tools used:

  • iraf
  • DS9

Concepts introduced:

  • problem solving with software bugs
  • pixel table
  • Acknowledgement of software

Other tutorials with polished stey-by-step procedures for spectroscopic reduction:
http://mips.as.arizona.edu/~khainline/osmos_redux.html

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