Before you get started using this guide, I suggest reading this Iraf Tutorial on CCD reduction from the University of New Mexico. It will help you understand a lot of the concepts behind the IRAF commands, which can help if something goes wrong. This guide is intended to address the needs of those working with the Brackett and Table Mountain Observatories, and will deal with manipulating fits files.
To start using IRAF, follow these steps. You will only have to do this once, ever.
Opening the Program
Enter your iraf directory and type in the following commands:
xgterm & | opens the IRAF command window |
ds9 & | opens DS9, which IRAF will use to display image files when you ask it to |
cl | logs you in |
If an error occurs, make sure that you have started the program from you iraf directory | |
Once you are logged in, you can run various packages and tasks. It is important that you open the correct packages for certain commands, or else they will not run. | |
bye | exits a package |
lo | logs you out of IRAF once you have reached the cl prompt. |
exit | leaves the program. |
help command_or_package | brings up information about any command or package |