IRAF 2025?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mishima
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SUMMARY

As of 2025, IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility) remains a significant tool in astronomical image reduction, particularly among service observers using real-world telescope installations. However, there is a noticeable shift towards alternatives such as Astropy and Pyraf, which are gaining traction in academic settings. The discussion highlights uncertainty about the prevalence of IRAF in current Observational Astronomy courses, suggesting a potential decline in its teaching in favor of newer software solutions. Overall, while IRAF is still relevant, its dominance is being challenged by emerging tools.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility)
  • Familiarity with Astropy for astronomical data analysis
  • Knowledge of Pyraf as a Python interface for IRAF
  • Basic concepts of Observational Astronomy and data reduction techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the latest features and updates in Astropy
  • Explore Pyraf and its integration with Python for image analysis
  • Investigate current curricula for Observational Astronomy courses
  • Examine alternative software tools for astronomical image reduction
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, educators in Observational Astronomy, researchers in astrophysics, and anyone involved in astronomical image processing and data reduction.

mishima
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TL;DR
Wondering what the current trend in Academia and research is regarding IRAF
Hi, I was wondering how prevalent/popular IRAF is in 2025. When I studied in 2001 it was dominant. Last I really played with image reduction in the 2010s it was still fairly important. I am guessing most service observers still use it for real-world telescope installations.

Or is Astropy or Pyraf becoming more common? Or something else? If I took an Observational Astronomy course today, would I still have a high chance of IRAF being taught?
 
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mishima said:
TL;DR Summary: Wondering what the current trend in Academia and research is regarding IRAF
For the non-cognoscenti (like me!):
IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility) is a collection of software written at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) geared towards the reduction of astronomical images and spectra in pixel array form.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRAF)
 
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Could it be that indeed mostly everyone has moved on from IRAF in 2025?

Is anyone teaching an Observational Astronomy course with data reduction techniques? Curious what is used these days in place of IRAF.
 
Not sure. This question may be too specific for our member base to be honest. We don't have a huge number of professors and such.
 

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