This manual describes the implementation of skycat , a tool that combines visualization of images with access to catalogs and archive data for astronomy.
The skycat application consists mainly of a small collection of Itcl classes based on the rtd (Real-Time Display) and cat (Astronomical Catalog Library) packages. Skycat uses inheritance to add catalog features to the rtd application, and to add image support to the catalog classes.
In addition, the skycat package contains support for generating a single binary executable that can be more easily distributed on the net, since it does not require any special Tcl environment. The skycat features are also available as a Tcl package or shared library that can be dynamically loaded in a Tcl application.
The latest versions of the skycat sources, binaries, and documentation may always be found under the following URL:
The documentation is in the doc subdirectory of the above URL.
A mailing list has been setup to support a wide collaboration on the skycat , rtd and cat projects. Please see the following URL for more information:
The skycat binaries are freely available to any users who want to download and use the software at their own risk. Users who wish to modify the source code should contact malbrech@eso.org.
This document is primarily aimed at software developers who would like to add new features to skycat or modify existing features.
This document is based on the following documents:
[1] VLT-PRO-ESO-10000-0228, 1.0 10/03/93 -- VLT Software Programming Standards
The following documents are referenced in this document:
[1] VLT-MAN-ESO-19400-1550 1.0 19/01/98 -- Tcl and C++ Utilities, Programmer's Manual
[2] VLT-MAN-ESO-19400-1551 1.0 19/01/98 -- Astronomical Tcl and C++ Utilities
[3] GEN-SPE-ESO-19400-0949 3.1 16/01/98 -- Astronomical Catalog Library, User Manual
[4] VLT-MAN-ESO-17240-0866 1.0 15/01/98 -- Real Time Display, User's Manual
Please send questions or comments to abrighto@eso.org.
Copyright © 1998 ESO - European Southern Observatory