[AZ-Observing] Re: Corwin NGC/IC files at VizieR

A number of questions:
1. The readme file admits the readings are precise, but not necessarily 
accurate. Thus, possible bias in the mean value of a position is 
admitted. Does this compromise the utility of the files for 
professionals and how would professionals use these files of nonstellar 
objects? Are they of any value to the amateur? How would an amateur use 
them?
2. I'm curious what comprises the multiple measurements of a position. 
Are there umpteenth numbers of readings taken during one night with the 
same telescope? I doubt this is the case and if so, then how was the 
determination made by the team that created the files that a reading was 
not biased, i.e., that it was a good data point, before it was used to 
compute a mean position?

Stan

Brian Skiff wrote:

>     In the last few weeks Harold Corwin has prepared files derived
>from the NGC/IC Web site for his coordinate and identifications lists
>in a form suitable for the Strasbourg VizieR catalogue-query utility.
>The files were made available today (10 Aug), and can be queried
>through VizieR or downloaded in bulk form.  The ReadMe page has
>further details:
>
>http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/Cat?VII/239
>
>If you do a VizieR search on a specific object, the returned report
>will include a link to Harold's notes and "puzzle solutions" texts.
>     I should perhaps mention that quite a number of us were
>involved in helping Harold compile this through IDs etc over the
>last, um, 20+ years.  This will be the first time the complete dataset
>will have significant exposure in the professional community.
>
>\Brian
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