If a new user has just returned from an observing run at KPNO or CTIO, for example, and has a definite goal in mind, e.g., to reduce some echelle data, then the best thing to do is grab the appropriate cookbook(s) from the network archive (see the iraf/docs directory on the node iraf.noao.edu), sit down with a small set of data, and work slowly through the reduction steps, understanding each task and procedure as one goes along. Most of the cookbooks are straightforward to follow, and usually start with the basics, or recommend documents that do.
But perhaps a new user does not have a particular data set to work with, but just wants to learn about the system. There are two things this user can do. There is a draft document A Beginner's Guide to Using IRAF (IRAF Version 2.10) in /pub/beguide.ps.Z on iraf.noao.edu. Reading this guide and working through the examples is another way to learn the basics of the core IRAF system.
Some IRAF exercises have also been developed that may provide the novice user with yet another way to learn IRAF. These are hands-on exercises using real data provided by our KPNO staff and cover general IRAF procedures, CCD reductions, photometry, spectral extractions and wavelength calibration, and data input / output. The exercises have been packaged into a tar file; the tar file contains the data, the exercises themselves, and charts for the stars to be identified for photometric calibration and the line identifications for the wavelength calibrations. The exercises were developed for IRAF Version 2.10.2 and assumed the user was using an xterm window and SAOimage (v1.07). The exercises have also been updated for IRAF Version 2.10.3BETA using the new xgterm and ximtool facilities. These exercises may be useful both for the scientist and for students in the classroom setting. Both versions of the exercises are available in the iraf/misc directory on iraf.noao.edu; see the readme.exer2102 and readme.exer2103 files for installation instructions.
Jeannette Barnes
This document was translated by ms2html v1.8 on 21Jan95.