describes the basic MIDAS system with all general
purpose facilities such as MIDAS Control Language, all available
commands, data input/output (including plotting and image display),
table system (MIDAS Data Base). Site specific features are given
in an appendix.
describes how to use the MIDAS system for astronomical
data reduction. Application packages for special types of
data or reductions (e.g. long slit and echelle spectra,
object search, or crowded field photometry) are discussed
assuming intensity calibrated data.
A set of appendices gives a detailed description of the
reduction of raw data from ESO instruments.
Volume C:
gives the on-line detailed description for all commands available.
This volume is not available via hypertext to remote users as it
can be accessed via the Midas GUI XHelp (from the shell with
helpmidas or from Midas with create/gui help).
It is intended that users will mainly need Volume A for general
reference. For specific reduction of raw data and usage of special
astronomical packages, Volume B will be more informative. A printed
version of the MIDAS help files is available in Volume C. Users are
recommended to use the on-line help facility which always gives a full
up to date description of the commands available.