What Information should I Submit after Observing an Occultation?

It is important, for a complete analysis, that all information pertinent to your observation be submitted.


Visual Observers:

  Keep copious notes on your observation, before, during, and after. If you have a tape recorder, use it.
Besides the usual information requested on the Report Form, your best estimate of Personal Equation is
an important part of the time you report. Many people underestimate this value. 


Video Observers:

  First, be sure to keep the original tape (if one is used) in a safe place. Don't over-write your 
observation!  Second, be prepared to supply your video file via an FTP download. This video should
include the occultation plus about 30 seconds of data before and after the occultation. There are 
situations where an independent analysis of the raw video file needs to be done. If the video is needed,
instructions on how to upload your video will be sent to you.

The video should be in the AVI format. This is best done by using VirtualDub to edit the video for
length and then saving this as an AVI file.

Complete and submit your Report Form as usual. At the very least, include with the Form either/both 
the LiMovie CSV file and/or the Tangra .lc file. All files can be submitted to the Reports@ email account
at the same time.

If you'd like, include the light curve graph from either of these programs and/or the Occular analysis.

If your video does not include time insertion, be sure to include information about the time. This is 
easiest done by manually placing the time for the first video frame in the file.