If you want to put a blank line between your parameter records and your data records, be sure to comment the line out with the pound sign (#). (For example, you can add "#OBSCODE=TST01" to the report and all subsequent observations will be attributed to observer TST01.)
Our data processing software will read these parameters and will expect all following data to adhere to them. The OBSCODE and DATE parameters may also be included elsewhere in the data. If you use a CMOS camera please report it as CCD. It can be CCD, DSLR, PEP (for Photoelectric Photometry).
Any ASCII character or UNICODE number that corresponds to ascii code 32-126 is acceptable as long as it is not used in any field. DELIM: The delimiter used to separate fields in the report.For example: "#SOFTWARE=AIP4Win Version 2.2".
If it is private software, put some type of description here. SOFTWARE: Name and version of software used to create the format.OBSCODE: The official AAVSO Observer Code for the observer which was previously assigned by the AAVSO.TYPE: Should always say Extended for this format.However, they will be retained when the complete file is stored in the AAVSO permanent archives. These comments will be ignored by the software and not loaded into the database. Personal comments may also be added as long as they follow a pound sign (#). There are six specific parameters that we require to exist at the top of the file. Parameters must begin with a pound sign (#) at the start of the line.
The Parameters are specified at the top of the file and are used to describe the data that follows. Each component is discussed in detail below. The extended format has two components: parameters and data. Visit the Software that exports to AAVSO format page to help format your observations. The other format, which is intended for visual observers, is called the AAVSO Visual File Format. Please use the WebObs File Upload page to upload your file in the AAVSO Extended Format. This is one of two plain text (ASCII) formats that the AAVSO accepts for uploading a file of variable star observations. Release Date: J(latest update: December 2, 2021)