The discussion revolves around evaluating the quality of stellar and galactic spectrum extractions performed using IRAF. Participants explore methods for assessing extraction and calibration accuracy, including comparisons to established data and statistical measures.
Participants express differing views on the criteria for determining the quality of spectrum extractions, with no consensus reached on a definitive method or standard for evaluation.
Limitations include the dependence on specific definitions of "well" and the variability in approaches based on the type of spectrograph and calibration methods used.
Researchers and practitioners involved in astronomical spectroscopy, particularly those using IRAF for data extraction and calibration.
I'm not sure what you accept a priori as "well". For instance, do you accept manual extraction, but not necessarily anything automated (until proven reliable)? In that case, have you compared your automated results to a manual extraction -SMBH said:I've been doing some spectrum extractions in IRAF, stellar and galactic, and I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas on how to tell if the extraction/calibration/etc went well? I have a bunch of finished projects but I'm not sure about how to tell if they're any good or not. Let me know if anyone has any ideas. I could also post some images of the spectra themselves if that might help.