# Catalog files

Catalog files speed up your work in case you often observe particular star field, for example in long-term monitoring of a variable star. In a standard work flow, you would have to mark the stars again and again. The catalog file’s structure is similar to that of the photometry file, except it includes the selection of stars. When you use the catalog file as a reference frame in the matching phase, the program will match the photometry files against it and the selection of stars is restored as well. Then, when you make a light curve, the variable, comparison and check stars are already marked.

The first observation you process by standard procedure, using one frame from a set as a reference file. When you have finished, you can make a catalog file. Click on the Tools ‣ Make catalog file item in the main menu. A new dialog appears that allows you to select a variable star, a comparison star and optionally check one or more check stars. If you have made a light curve before, the stars are automatically selected.

Confirm the selection dialog by the OK button to proceed to the next step. Another dialog appears. In its left part, fill in the edit fields, you have to fill in the name of the catalogue file (first entry), all other fields are optional and you can left them blank. Confirm the dialog by the Save button.

The dialog for making a catalog file.

See also

Make catalog file (dialog) and Match stars (dialog)