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How to use the MIDAS Manual

  This document is intended to be a description of how to use the various facilities available in the MIDAS system. The manual consists of three volumes:

Volume A:
describes the basic MIDAS system with all general purpose facilities such as MIDAS Control Language, data input/output (including graphics and image display), table system (MIDAS Data Base). A summary of all available commands as well as site specific features are given in appendices.
Volume B:
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 detailed description for all commands available.

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.





Rein Warmels
Mon Jan 22 15:08:15 MET 1996