astrometry input, prism spectroscopy

I modified the method by which we extract the SDSS x,y lists we input (Sam inputs) into the astrometry engine, to make the cuts not based on specific, calibrated magnitudes, but only on brightness ranking. Sam and I decided that we would go live on the WWW with the current pointing, rotation, and scale capability, as soon as his new students have tweaked it up and have WWW interfaces working. With only small changes (and little analysis), Sam's success rate is up to about 96 percent.

Blanton and I discussed, among many other things, the scientific output of a pilot program of prism spectroscopy as Burles et al have been contemplating. At worst, it will be better than COMBO-17, on much less telescope time. At best it will be much better, and answer qualitatively new questions about galaxy evolution.