Glossary of Astronomical/Software Terms

AIPS

Astronomical Image Processing System, a system for reduction and analysis of radio astronomical data, in particular from systhesis imaging devices like the VLA (q.v.). Available on a variety of machines from MicroVAX to Sun to Convex to Cray. Owned by NRAO.

GENPLOT

A VMS-specific program from Caltech that allows interactive graphics plotting using the PGPLOT library.

IIS

International Imaging Systems, manufacturers of image computers such as the model 70, model 75 and IVAS. These are display devices specifically set up for image processing.

IRAF

Interactive Reduction and Analysis Facility; the optical astronomer's counterpart to AIPS. Owned by NOAO.

NCAR

National Center for Atmospheric Research; distributor of the NCAR graphics package, a subroutine library for device-independent graphics.

NOAO

National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, AZ.

NRAO

National Radio Astronomy Observatory; headquartered in Charlottesville, VA with sites in WV (Green Bank), NM (Socorro), and AZ (Tucson/Kitt Peak Mtn.)

PGPLOT

(a.k.a. Caltech Graphics package) A high-level Fortran subroutine library that implements device-independent graphics; recently ported as a layer on top of the ANSI standard GKS. Available for most Unix systems and VAX/VMS.

QUIC

The Printer Description Language used in QMS and Talaris laser printers.

Starlink

A network of mostly VAX computers in the U.K. dedicated to Astronomical research; also, the large body of software designed and built for that environment.

STScI

Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD. Large research facility to support the Hubble Space Telescope.

VLA

Very Large Array, a collection of 28 large (80--foot) radio dishes owned and operated by NRAO about 50 miles west of Socorro, NM. Interferometry/Synthesis is used to effectively operate this array as if it were one huge radio telescope.