[fitsbits] Representation of polarimetry data in WCS

On Wed 2006-04-26T09:24:16 -0700, Marshall Perrin hath writ:
But first I need to actually be sure I understand what the standard is!

So do we all.

Paper III says that the CTYPEn keyword for a -TAB axis should follow
the 4-3 format, using the 4-letter axis type. So then the proper
value to use is 'STOK-TAB', correct?

That seems right to me.

Next question: Table 7 of WCS Paper I presents the mapping between
integer codes and polarimetry measurements such as Stokes Q or right-
circular polarization. But there are a few possible polarimetry
measurements which are left out of this table, in particular
polarized intensity
(P = sqrt(Q^2+U^2+V^2). Is there any convention on an integer code to
denote that with?

Let's make a convention.

I say that anticipating seeing the process in action for establishing
new tweaks on existing standards, particularly regarding the point of
distinction between things which are simply conventions and things
which are standards.

--
Steve Allen WGS-84 (GPS)
UCO/Lick Observatory Natural Sciences II, Room 165 Lat +36.99858
University of California Voice: +1 831 459 3046 Lng -122.06014
Santa Cruz, CA 95064 http://www.ucolick.org/~sla/ Hgt +250 m