New catalogue files can be created by means of simple text editor (e.g. Notepad, Crimson Editor etc.). A file have to be stored in the directory with the program binary and the extension have to be changed to dat. Example: My catalogue.dat. Beware of double extensions - My catalogue.dat.txt.)
First line can be header, but it is not mandatory. Next lines are data on eclipsing binaries. Each line defines one record. The fields are stored on fixed positions, gaps are filled by spaces. Always use decimal point to divide integer part and decimals.
Elements for primary and secondary minimum are stored on separated line, they are discriminated by colon character or '+S' string in the star's designation. Examples: EK Cep and EK+P Cep labels data for primary minima, on the other hand, EK:Cep and EK+S Cep labels data for secondary minima.
Position from | Position to | Field name | Meaning |
2 | 13 | NAME | Star's designation. Colon in the name denotes that data concern to secondary minimum of the variable. |
15 | 17 | TYPE | The categorization of the star in B.R.N.O. observational program. For custom catalogues, you can optionally enter any text. Note: type of variability is stored in the VD. |
19 | 22 | RATING | Given ratings are measures of usefulness of mainly visual observations. |
24 | 31 | RA2000 | Equatorial co-ordinates in equinox 2000.0 - right ascension (hhmmss.s) |
33 | 39 | DE2000 | Equatorial co-ordinates in equinox 2000.0 - declination (+ddmmss) |
41 | 51 | M0 | One of light elements represented by the Julian date of the basic light minimum (epoch E = 0) with the front-end figures 24... omitted. |
53 | 64 | PER | Period P of light changes in days |
66 | 70 | MAX | Brightness of variable star in maximum (in magnitudes) |
72 | 76 | PRIM | Brightness of variable star in primary light minimum (in magnitudes) |
78 | 82 | SEK | Brightness of variable star in secondary light minimum (in magnitudes) |
84 | 85 | BRANCH | The photometric system in which Max, Min and Sec are reported. The main codes are P (photographic magnitudes), V (visual, photovisual, or Johnson's V), "Rc" (R magnitudes in Cousins' I system), "Hp" (Hipparcos magnitudes) and C (unfiltered CCD observations) |
87 | 107 | ZDROJ | Source of elements of light changes |
109 | 112 | VD | Duration of eclipse in hours (for Algol like stars); the letter "B" or "W" is given for b Lyrae stars or W UMa stars, respectively. The sign "*" means variability of given value (see Notes). The sign ":" indicates possible uncertainty in given value. |
114 | 117 | MD | Duration of constant phase in minimum light in hours. The sign ":" indicates potential uncertainty in given value |
119 | 126 | CHART | Availability of the chart. |
128 | 137 | ATRAKTIV | Astrophysical attractiveness of system. |
139 | 153 | POZNAMKA | Remarks. |
155 | 165 | GSC | The Guide Star Catalogue identification number is given in form XXXXX.XXXXX. |
167 | 171 | ZMENA | The sign "*" means change in light elements relative to previous catalogue BRKA 2004 Z and "N" means the new added star. |