The data now must be used to calculate the average magnitudes and data spread or standard deviations in addition to calculating the air mass and heliocentric Julian Date. There are various ways to do this, but since it is time consuming it is best to use a computer program to do it. A spreadsheet program can do it, but a much better way is to use a database program such as FileMaker Pro. The following was developed with FileMaker Pro.

Figure 1
FileMaker Pro Data Reduction

This program was created quickly and saves a great deal of work when summarizing the data. The white data fields are data entry fields and the green and black are calculate data fields. Data fields have been created for up to 4 program stars. The blue data fields are global fields used for all the records. The RA and Dec are used in determining the Air Mass and HJD (Heliocentric Julian Date). Since the stars are all close in the image only one star's RA and Dec need be used.

Figure 2
FileMaker Pro Data List Report

A summary list of the data can be easily generated and displayed or printed. Data can be found by any field or combination and sorted in various ways.

Created 1 February 2007

Modified 13 February 2007

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