How does one use the Report Forms?

An attempt is being made to encourage observers of asteroid occultations to report their observations in a way 
that is best suited to using the OCCULT program for analysis.  To that end, a new Report Form has been 
created using Excel.  If you don’t have Excel, this document will also work with the spreadsheet component of 
OpenOffice.  It is available at OpenOffice.org.  Beware; it is a large download – 93Mb.  It has also been found 
that this file will work for users of Macintosh computers.

The new Report Form was created using terminology consistent with OCCULT.  That makes the transfer of data
easy and unambiguous.  A macro is used to read the submitted Report Forms and convert them into OCCULT
readable OBS files used in the analysis of observations.

At the present time, the new Report Form is available as templates of the events most likely to be observed in 
North America or as a totally blank Form for observers in other locations.  Observers who are not likely to 
travel that much are encouraged to download the blank form and create their own template for their 
home location.

You may also use the older, less consistent, text form.  The disadvantage of using this form is that there are
many places to input data that may not use the correct terminology.  When these Forms are submitted, the local
Coordinator for your region sometimes needs to interpret your meaning.  This can lead to errors.

On the new Report Forms, GRAY cells contain required information that needs to be filled in by the observer.   
Some of the information in the GRAY cells is in the form of pull-down menus.  YELLOW cells are optional.  You 
may fill them in as you see fit.

You may move through the form one entry location after another by using the TAB key.  You may also select 
any cell using the mouse and clicking on the cell.

Many of the GRAY cells have pull-down menus.  This was done to match the analysis program being used, 
OCCULT.  When you are on a GRAY cell, a down arrow to the right of the cell will indicate the presence of a 
pull-down menu.  Click on the down-arrow to see the choices.  Scroll to the correct menu item and release.  
Only choices shown in the pull-down menu for that particular item are available for use.  Some choices are 
already present as default values.

Full Directions for use of the Excel Report Form are available for downloading at the webpage shown with this
description.  First-time users are encouraged to have these directions at hand when filling out your Report.

Questions can be directed to Brad Timerson at   btimerson@rochester.rr.com