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For users working in astronomy
and space sciences, IRAF is a long-standing software application having
a variety of powerful and relevant tools. Although IRAF contains
numerous packages for very specific applications and instrumental
reductions, Mira and IRAF have many common capabilities. Another
similarity is that Ph.D. level experts contribute to the algorithms and
techniques used in both. However, IRAF is free of charge while Mira is a commercial product.
If you don't need the specialized instrument reduction packages in IRAF,
why should you consider moving to Mira? Here are 10 reasons:
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Shorter Learning Curve. Mira commands
and procedures are easier to learn and use, allowing researchers and students
alike to get results quicker. For example, users have reported producing magnitude-calibrated aperture photometry within 5 minutes
after first installing Mira—and before reading
the manual.
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- Versions for Different Levels and Needs.
IRAF provides a single, megalithic version. Mira comes in 4
platforms—Pro, AP, AL, and MX—designed
for users having different needs and different levels of knowledge
or experience. Whether you are a Ph.D. researcher, a non-science
major, a high school student, or somewhere between, there is a Mira
platform that works for you. All platforms share a common user
interface, making it easier to move from one platform to another.
And instructors find it invaluable having access to powerful tools
in their platform while keeping needless complexity away from
students.
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- Faster Processing. Mira executes
data reduction and image processing tasks faster than any other
software on the same computer hardware. And Mira's scripting
language is also one of the fastest available.
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- Faster Image Display and Plotting.
Mira is faster at displaying images and data and in updating the
display after changes. Significantly faster display means you finish
work sooner and it don't fear interrogating images, exploring "what
if" scenarios, or trying some type of processing that can be
immediately undone if needed.
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- Modern User Interface.
IRAF has its foundations in a 1970's model of computing and user
interfaces. Mira is a product of 21st century software and hardware
architecture. While Mira and IRAF each contain some tools not found
in the other, Mira adds numerous unique concepts such as processing,
measuring, and plotting images in groups called "image sets".
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- Powerful, yet easier Scripting Language.
Like IRAF, Mira offers a programming extension language to create
custom scripts that leverage its core processing routines. But the Mira Pro Script
module is more heuristic, enabling users having even a modest
knowledge of C, C++, or Basic to begin writing, editing, and running scripts
minutes of first use. Pro Script provides more than 600
classes and functions and includes dozens of sample scripts to get
you going. You also can transparently extend the included script
library and share your tools with other
Mira users.
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- Fast, Expert Technical Support. You can phone or E-mail Mirametrics to get technical support
when you need it. With Mira, your only recourse isn't just to post
questions on a web forum and wait until another IRAF user answers it.
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- Less System-Level Knowledge is Required.
Mira installs cleanly under Windows or a Windows environment without
the need for system-level expertise on optimizing swap partitions, installing virtual machines, building
component packages, or setting up command-line user environments.
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- Ongoing Code Development. IRAF development
and bug repair by its authors has stopped. In contrast, Mira is an active product that continues to
evolve in response to
our vision and the needs of our users.
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- Thorough Documentation is Standard.
All Mira platforms include a detailed User's Guide that presents
topics in a richly illustrated publication quality format
appropriate for both beginners and experts. The standard
documentation includes numerous
examples and how-to cookbooks.
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