RAS-SC-ELITE
SPECTRACYBER ELITE - Developed by Ralph Boyd, RAS Software engineer and Physics graduate (Auburn University).
The new SpectraCyber Elite program is a Windows XP/Vista version of the software for the SpectraCyber I and II Spectrometer Radio Telescope system. The new software is now compatible with Windows XP/Vista running under Windows Net3.5 and Windows Compact SQL Server Express. It operates in a standard Windows State-Of-The-Art environment within a user friendly interface. The Windows Compact SQL Server is used to keep records on the statistics of the data set scans while the actual data is stored in readable ASCII files to support user access.
Some new features include the new Project mode research methodology where all files a stored under a common directory for the specific RF stellar source under study. The SQL database contains the astronomical data for the RF sources and is upgradable by the user. The main menu contains hot links to Astronomical catalogs on the Web. A new Tracking Timer Mode has been added to support collecting data over preset time periods including a continuous 24h/7day diurnal mode. Data is stored in both a RAW and XML structure. The data even includes the GMT and Sidereal time that each signal value was acquired. The new internal Sidereal Time clock runs in real time synchronized to GMT and displays the local Right Accension at the obeserver's local meridian on the PC screen. There is even a new Sidereal Time calculator available to determine the most oppertune time to observe a meridian transit of a specific stellar RF source at a future date and time.
Since the software now runs in XP/Vista (there is no support for pre-XP versions) one of the most exciting features is the abiltiy to run the program remotely over the local LAN or Internet. Using Web based tools such as Go To My PC or LogMeIn (a free service), it is possible to log onto a remote PC connected to the hardware and run the SpectraCyber software to execute a doppler scan of a specific RF object. Of course the antenna must be pointing in the proper direction at the time. It is even possible to do this over your Web enabled cell phone, assuming of course you have compatible code (i.e. a Web browser) on your cell phone. Just imagine being on a business trip and still being able to access your SpectraCyber system remotely via your cell phone or laptop. We at HighQ Software are very excited about this new program and hope you will be too!
