Handling
Once you have obtained the data at the telescope, it is important to archive it for future use.
[Instructions for archiving data files].
Reduction
The reduction steps depend on whether you have performed imaging or spectroscopy.
Tutorial on how to reduce data in AstroImageJ
Download link for AstroImageJ
[Reduction steps common to both- preprocessing of bias, darks]
[Further reduction steps for imaging – flat fielding]
[Further reduction steps for spectra – spectrum tracing, extraction]
Analysis
The analysis you’ll perform depends on the target you chose, but generally, we are interested in the brightness of the object (y) and the time it was observed (x). Your (x,y) point(s) will be combined with others, from you or other observers, to generate the object’s light curve.
Tools