How can I import data from Zwicky Transient Factory data, accessed from VSX link ?

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Tue, 06/08/2021 - 14:44

Hi everybody.

Does exist any kind of procedure for importing this data ?

Thanks

Franco

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
ZTF data

you can try this way:

https://github.com/AAVSO/VStar/wiki/Working-with-Observation-Sources#loading-ztf-data-with-flexible-text-format-plug-in

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
ZTF data

Thanks for the suggestion. What about the link from VSX ?

Anyway, I've followed instructions, but VStar gives me a error message:

...the first read error 'FIELDS=' is not a well formed 'Julian Day'. Only decimal digits and a single '.' are permitted

Affiliation
Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSAU)
Specific example

Hi Franco

I think the issue here is in the FIELDS spec, but can you please give an example VSX search for which ZTF data exists. Then we'll be able to help more easily.

David

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
ZTF data

Hi everybody,

Look forward to being of help...

To export the VSX link data, simply select all the text, copy and paste into an EXCEL previously formatted as plain text, then include the header indicated in the example and save the file as CSV.
You will need to create two files, one for zg and zr.
Remember to open the files in Vstar as "Flexible text format".

I link examples data obtained from KELT KC17C011802.
Zg and Zr files.
Vstar image.

Regarts
David

Affiliation
Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSAU)
Header line

Hi David

Thanks. The FIELDS line was the problem as I suspected.

Franco, David's example adds these lines to the start of the file:

#FIELDS=,,TIME,,MAG,MAGERR,,FILTERCODE

#TIME=HJD

#FILTER=zg

#DEFINESERIES=zg,zg,#00AA00

The #FIELDS line is key to being able to read it in VStar with Max's Flexible File Format plugin. You need at least time and mag here.

Let us know how you get on with this.

David (the other one)

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Importing ZTF data

Thanks everybody.

Preliminary question: how to format excell to plain text? (I've got an old version and using libre office might generate errors).?

Franco

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
ZTF data

Hi Franco,

A question?, the HJD data in Excel when you copy / paste it, how do you see it? "2458360.9765088256" or "24.583.609.765.088.200".
If it is the second option, it is possible that the language (region) of your excel is not configured correctly. It must be in English to avoid misinterpretation of "." Thousands, this way you won't need to change the format to plain text.

If the problem is the header, as David Benn says ... the most simple is to use a text editor to add the lines #.

Regards

David