Data reduction is done on a desktop Pentium 60 system after the files are copied from the laptop over a serial link. I use the same directory structure in both computers to avoid confusion.
The first step is to identify the asteroid image (row, column) and to
search for possible new discoveries. This is done in JIMSAIP using the Align and Blink functions. Usually, my images align
to a precision of better than 0.05 pixel. The Blink function readily shows
any asteroid movement. Once identified, the row-column location of the
target is entered into my observing notebook.
The next step is to calibrate the field of view. I use the online Guide Star Catalog v1.2. JIMSAIP requires that the
text listing have the extension .G12 which I append when I download the
desired portion of the catalog. After that, it is a matter of selecting 4
or more reference stars and the calibration takes place in the blink of an
eye.(April 1998) Another, possibly better, option is to use
'Charon' from
Bill Gray's Project Pluto.
At this point, I fill in the file header blanks with the name of the object, and a comment note as to what and where the object is. With the ST-7 camera, the time of exposure is reported as the START of the exposure and the MPC wants to know the time of MID exposure, so I edit the time of exposure to add one-half the exposure to the value reported by the CCDOPS software. Then I save the calibrated, annotated image. I use a naming convention based on the date and time of the exposure. By using a yymmdd.ddddd format (day to 5 decimal places), I have a resolution of one second or so. To fit the DOS standard for file names, the decimal point is moved over two places so that, for example, 97022412.345 would mean an exposure taken on Feb 24.12345, 1997 (02h 57m 46s). I always use UT. A separate data base program helps me locate a particular file based on object, etc.
With the image calibrated, placing the cursor on the asteroid using the 'P' hotkey will give the location (RA-DEC) of the asteroid. The 'F10' hotkey will write the result to a text file that can be cut and pasted into a standard format message to the Minor Planet Center.