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3.2 Data visualisation

Starlink supports two data visualisation packages, IDL and DX, but for relatively simple graphing of simple results, gnuplot will probably produce acceptable results in rather less time.

The package SM, which is a descendent of Mongo, has numerous adherents, but I don't propose to discuss it, partly because I've never used it, partly because it's not part of Starlink's base set and so is not available at all sites, but mostly because if gnuplot runs out of steam, you might as well go straight to IDL, which is easily available through Starlink.

SG/8, An Introduction to Visualisation Software for Astronomy, is an overview of visualisation systems, which mentions both IDL and DX.



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Theory and Modelling Resources Cookbook
Starlink Cookbook 13
Norman Gray
2 December 2001. Release 2-5. Last updated 10 March 2003