Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using IOTA Hub
Getting Started
What is IOTA Hub?
IOTA Hub is a web-based system where IOTA-NA observers submit occultation observation data and reviewers process it for the Minor Planet Center. Observers upload their reports and files; reviewers claim events, analyze the data, and upload their analysis products. It replaces the previous email workflow, saving time and reducing errors.
What are the different user roles?
Three roles, each building on the previous:
- Observer — Submit observations, view events, edit your own observations.
- Reviewer — All Observer permissions, plus download observation files for review, claim events for review, and upload analysis files.
- Coordinator — All Reviewer permissions, plus manage events, manage user groups, finalize reviews.
New accounts start as Observer. To become a Reviewer, email reports@asteroidoccultation.com.
Can observers upload coordinator files? No — observers can only submit their own observation reports and files. However, reviewers can upload coordinator files (occelmnt, predicted path, Google Earth KMZ) to help prepare events for review. If you know how to generate these files and want to help speed things along, consider becoming a reviewer.
Can I still submit observations by email?
During the transition period, email submissions are still accepted. Going forward, use IOTA Hub for all submissions. Questions and general correspondence can still go to reports@asteroidoccultation.com.
Uploading Observations
How do I upload an observation?
- Sign in and select New Observation in the upper left.
- Drag and drop your report
.xls/.xlsxspreadsheet. The system populates observation details from your spreadsheet. Make sure to use a recent version of the report spreadsheet, such as V5.6.x or newer. - Verify the details are correct.
- Select your observation result type: Positive, Negative, or Unsure.
- Upload any required analysis files based on your result type (see below).
- Optionally upload attachments such as light curve images, camera settings, or GPS logs.
- Add comments if needed.
- At the very bottom of the page, click Upload and Submit.
The system automatically groups your observation with other observations of the same asteroid, star, and time frame.
What are the observation result types?
- Positive (POS) — You observed the star dim (an occultation event).
- Negative (NEG) — You observed the star but saw no dimming.
- Unsure (UNSURE) — You observed something but cannot definitively classify it.
What files are required?
Required files depend on your observation result type:
| File | Positive/Unsure | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Report spreadsheet (.xls/.xlsx) | Required | Required |
Light curve CSV (.csv) | Required | Optional |
Processing log (*log.txt) | Required | Optional |
VizieR file (.dat) | Do not provide | — |
Tip: For negative observations, you only need the report spreadsheet. Include the light curve and log if you have them—they help reviewers verify your result.
What are VizieR files?
VizieR data files (.dat) contain the light curve data of positive events in a special file format for inclusion in the VizieR library of database catalogs. You do not need to provide this file—the VizieR file is generated by a reviewer or coordinator during the review analysis.
What optional attachments can I include?
Upload any supplementary files that help reviewers understand your observation, such as:
- Light curve images
- Camera setting files
- GPS logs
- Pyote screenshots and noise plots
- Descriptive comments in document format
Maximum 25 attachments, 50 MB each.
Can I upload files as a zip archive?
No. Upload the report spreadsheet separately so the system can parse your observation details. Other files (light curve, log, attachments) must also be uploaded individually.
Can I upload raw video files?
Not yet. Raw video upload is planned for a future release. For now, include your processed files (light curves, logs) and any relevant screenshots or images as attachments.
After You Submit
What happens after I upload an observation?
- The system matches your observation to an existing event (by asteroid, star, and date) or creates a new event.
- A coordinator reviews incoming observations and prepares event files.
- When ready, a coordinator marks the event Ready for Review.
- A reviewer claims the event, analyzes all observations, and uploads their analysis files.
- A coordinator verifies the review and marks the event Complete.
- The event's results are published on the NA Results page and delivered to the occultation archives.
You can track your observation's status on the My Observations page.
Can I edit my observation after submitting?
Yes, with restrictions based on event status:
- Unattached, or attached to an event in Waiting for Observations, Lone Negative, Insufficient Evidence, or Ready for Review — Edit freely by uploading a new version of a required file (which replaces the previous version) or by deleting and re-uploading attachments.
- In Review or later — Contact the coordinator at reports@asteroidoccultation.com.
Note: IOTA Hub does not currently support editing file contents directly on the website. To correct a file, upload a new version or delete and replace it.
What if I made a mistake?
If the event hasn't reached In Review yet, you can usually fix it yourself:
- Wrong file — Open your observation and upload a new version of the file. The new version replaces the old one.
- Need to start over — Open your observation, click Edit in the top right, then use the Delete Observation button at the top right of the edit page. Then re-submit a corrected observation. This isn't available while the event is in Lone Negative or Insufficient Evidence status.
If the event has moved to In Review or later, email reports@asteroidoccultation.com explaining the correction needed.
How do I find a specific observation or event?
Use the Filters section at the top of list pages to search for specific data:
- Go to My Observations, View Events, or View Observations.
- Click Filters to expand the search options.
- Enter your search criteria: asteroid name, asteroid number, event date, or other available filters.
- Click Apply Filters to search the database.
The results will update to show only matching records. Click Clear Filters to reset and see all records again.
The Review Process
Events progress through five states during the review workflow. A coordinator can also set an event aside in Lone Negative or Insufficient Evidence status, outside the normal flow:
| State | Description |
|---|---|
| Waiting for Observations | Event created. Awaiting two things: (1) observation reports from observers, and (2) coordinator files — the occelmnt element file, predicted path image, and Google Earth KMZ that a coordinator or reviewer prepares for the event. Both must be in place before the event can move forward. |
| Ready for Review | Coordinator files uploaded and at least one observation attached. Available for reviewers to claim. |
| In Review | A reviewer has claimed the event and is analyzing it. |
| Reviewed | Reviewer completed their analysis, uploaded all required files, and approved. |
| Complete | Coordinator verified the review and finalized the event for delivery. |
What exactly is the system waiting for during "Waiting for Observations"?
Two things need to happen before an event can move to review:
- Observer reports — Each observer who attempted the occultation submits their report spreadsheet and supporting files. There may be one report or dozens, depending on the event.
- Coordinator files — Three event-level files must be uploaded the occelmnt element file (
.txt), the predicted path image, and a Google Earth KMZ file. These are prepared by a reviewer or a coordinator.
For events linked to Occult Watcher Cloud (OWC), the system automatically marks the event Ready for Review once every signed-up station is accounted for and the pre-review files have been added. For non-OWC-linked events, a coordinator or reviewer marks the event Ready for Review once they've confirmed all expected observations are in and the required files are uploaded.
How does the system know how many observations to expect?
For events linked to Occult Watcher Cloud (OWC), the system automatically checks the list of signed-up stations and moves the event to Ready for Review once every signup is accounted for. For non-OWC-linked events, a coordinator or reviewer uses their knowledge of who planned to observe to judge when all expected reports are in, and marks the event Ready for Review. If a late observation arrives after that point, a coordinator can move the event back to Waiting for Observations.
How does the review workflow work?
- Observers upload their observations to IOTA Hub.
- A coordinator marks the event Ready for Review once all expected observations and coordinator files are in.
- A reviewer claims the event, downloads the files, and performs their analysis.
- The reviewer uploads required files (sky plane images, ground track, OBS.XML, Google Earth KMZ, observer sites KMZ) and VizieR files for each observation, then approves.
- A coordinator verifies the review and marks it Complete.
What is the OBS.XML file?
The OBS.XML file is a consolidated record created by the reviewer. It combines all observer spreadsheet reports for an event with the reviewer's analysis.
Can observers see the final review files?
Yes. Once an event reaches Complete status, observers can view and download the reviewer's analysis files (sky plane images, ground track, OBS file, Google Earth KMZ, and observer sites KMZ).
Additionally, the profile plots and observer maps are publicly available on the NA Results page website (no sign-in required).
How do profile plots get labeled "Occult" or "DAMIT" on the Results page?
The label is determined automatically from the file's original filename when uploaded:
- Filename contains
damit(case-insensitive) → labeled DAMIT (e.g.,Rachele_DAMIT.gifor1987-OV_DAMIT_8493.gif). - Filename contains
profile→ labeled Occult (takes priority, even ifdamitalso appears in the name). - Any other filename → defaults to Occult.
Tip: To ensure a DAMIT profile plot is labeled correctly, include "DAMIT" in the filename before uploading. If a plot was already uploaded with the wrong label, re-upload a new version with a corrected filename.
How can I become a reviewer to help the process?
If you're interested in becoming a reviewer, email reports@asteroidoccultation.com to learn more about what's involved and how to get started.
Support & Contact
Who built IOTA Hub?
IOTA Hub was built and is maintained by Skyler Carlson, in collaboration with Norm Carlson (NA Coordinator) and Rigel Carlson, with input from the IOTA board and IOTA reviewers. Send any technical questions, bug reports, or feature suggestions to: admin@iota-hub.com, and process or review questions: reports@asteroidoccultation.com.
How is my personal data handled?
See the Privacy Policy for what IOTA Hub collects, how observation data is shared.