HST Data Handbook for WFPC2

Appendix A:
IRAF Primer

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A.1 Initiating IRAF
   A.1.1 Setting Up IRAF
   A.1.2 Starting and Stopping an IRAF Session
A.2 IRAF Basics
   A.2.1 Loading Packages
   A.2.2 Running Tasks
   A.2.3 Getting Help
   A.2.4 Setting Parameters
   A.2.5 Setting Environment Variables  
   A.2.6 File Management
   A.2.7 Troubleshooting
A.3 Getting IRAF and STSDAS
   A.3.1 Retrieving the IRAF and STSDAS Software
   A.3.2 Getting the Synphot Database
   A.3.3 Extracting the synphot Unix Tar Files

The Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF), developed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO), forms the basis of the Space Telescope Science Data Analysis System (STSDAS). IRAF contains numerous packages of programs, called tasks, that perform a wide range of functions from reading data tapes to producing plots and images. Most astronomers will already be familiar with IRAF, but we provide this tutorial for HST observers who are beginners with IRAF. It includes information on:

• How to set up IRAF the first time you use the software.
• How to start and stop an IRAF session.
• Basic concepts, such as loading packages, setting parameters, etc.
• How to use the on-line help facility.

Additional information on IRAF, in particular A Beginner's Guide to Using IRAF is available through the NOAO IRAF Home Page at: http://iraf.noao.edu