MICROSKY (A0): MicroSky (Palomar Sky Survey I) Fields (19920711)
FILE: microsky.a0
CONTENTS: MicroSky (Palomar Sky Survey I) Fields
DATASET: This file is part of HyperSky dataset A-1 (A-1.4), version 19920711 Availability on HyperSky CD-ROM: Vol. 1 (1993)
DESCRIPTION: This datafile contains MicroSky field identifications for each of the Palomar Sky Survey's 6.4-degree-square charts. Boundaries include the -30 declination zone, which was not initially part of the Palomar Sky Survey, but was later released with it.
MicroSky, a microfiche version of the first Palomar Sky Survey, is published by Deen Publications (P.O. Box 867088; Plano Texas 75086). MicroSky numbers fields in a simple sequence, starting with field 1 (at the north pole) and extending to field 936 in the -30 declination zone. Each field is also assigned a group number which corresponds to the particular microfiche on which the field appears. In this HyperSky file, the group and field numbers are combined to create a composite field identification of the form GGG:FFF where GGG is the group id, and FFF is the field number.
The MicroSky group and field numbers are based on tables appearing in Deen Publications' "MicroSky News" for December, 1991, page 16-23.
DATA: The following identification of the Palomar Sky Survey field covering the center of the default HyperSky Orion field is a typical example of the format used:
MS 82:599, PSS +00 05 36, pl.435
Here, "MS 82:599" indicates MicroSky field 599, located in group (ie, on microfiche) number 82. "PSS +00 05 36" is the field identifier that is normally used for the same Palomar Sky Survey field: it represents the field center RA (+00) and Declination (05 36) for equinox 1855. Finally, "pl.435" is the Palomar plate number from which the MicroSky field has been made; it is provided here as an added convenience.
Some MicroSky fields appear in more than one microfiche. Identifications for these fields will have two group numbers, separated by a "+" sign. Likewise, at the north pole two fields are identified in one group for convenience, again separated by a "+" sign.