What is SAMP?
SAMP stands for Simple Application Messaging Protocol. It is a
protocol which allows tools on the desktop to communicate with each
other. Very briefly, the way it works is that applications can send
messages to a central hub process which will then pass them on
to other applications which can respond to them in some appropriate way.
GAIA can use SAMP to send and receive images, sky position information,
and catalogues or identification of rows within them. It can also send
extracted spectra. You will require a SAMP hub, either free-standing or
integral to some other application, to use these capabilities.
Applications which currently talk SAMP include TOPCAT, SPLAT and DS9,
amongst others.
You can find more information about how it works, what applications are
compatible, and how it can be useful at the SAMP web page,
http://www.ivoa.net/samp/.
What SAMP facilities does GAIA support?
GAIA can both send and respond to messages in three general application
areas: image-related, catalogue-related and spectrum-related:
- Load image
- Highlight Position
- Load catalogue
- Highlight Selection
- Highlight Row
- Highlight Position
- Send spectrum
PLASTIC support
PLASTIC support has been withdrawn from GAIA. Use SAMP instead.
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