SimbadClass

class astroquery.simbad.SimbadClass[source]

Bases: astroquery.query.BaseQuery

The class for querying the Simbad web service.

Note that SIMBAD suggests submitting no more than 6 queries per second; if you submit more than that, your IP may be temporarily blacklisted (http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-help?Page=sim-url)

Attributes Summary

ROW_LIMIT
SIMBAD_URL
TIMEOUT
WILDCARDS

Methods Summary

add_votable_fields(*args) Sets fields to be fetched in the VOTable.
get_field_description(field_name) Displays a description of the VOTable field.
get_votable_fields() Display votable fields
list_votable_fields() Lists all the fields that can be fetched for a VOTable.
list_wildcards() Displays the available wildcards that may be used in Simbad queries and their usage.
query_bibcode(bibcode[, wildcard, verbose, …]) Queries the references corresponding to a given bibcode, and returns the results in a Table.
query_bibcode_async(bibcode[, wildcard, …]) Serves the same function as query_bibcode, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
query_bibobj(bibcode[, verbose, …]) Query all the objects that are contained in the article specified by the bibcode, and return results as a Table.
query_bibobj_async(bibcode[, cache, …]) Serves the same function as query_bibobj, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
query_catalog(catalog[, verbose, cache, …]) Queries a whole catalog.
query_catalog_async(catalog[, cache, …]) Serves the same function as query_catalog, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
query_criteria(*args, **kwargs) Query SIMBAD based on any criteria.
query_criteria_async(*args, **kwargs) Query SIMBAD based on any criteria.
query_object(object_name[, wildcard, …]) Queries Simbad for the given object and returns the result as a Table.
query_object_async(object_name[, wildcard, …]) Serves the same function as query_object, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
query_objectids(object_name[, verbose, …]) Query Simbad with an object name, and return a table of all names associated with that object in a Table.
query_objectids_async(object_name[, cache, …]) Serves the same function as query_objectids, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
query_objects(object_names[, wildcard, …]) Queries Simbad for the specified list of objects and returns the results as a Table.
query_objects_async(object_names[, …]) Same as query_objects, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
query_region(*args, **kwargs) Queries the service and returns a table object.
query_region_async(coordinates[, radius, …]) Serves the same function as query_region, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.
remove_votable_fields(*args, **kwargs) Removes the specified field names from SimbadClass._VOTABLE_FIELDS
reset_votable_fields() resets VOTABLE_FIELDS to defaults

Attributes Documentation

ROW_LIMIT = 0
SIMBAD_URL = 'http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-script'
TIMEOUT = 60
WILDCARDS = {'*': 'Any string of characters (including an empty one)', '?': 'Any character (exactly one character)', '[^0-9]': 'Any (one) character not in the list.', '[abc]': 'Exactly one character taken in the list. Can also be defined by a range of characters: [A-Z]'}

Methods Documentation

add_votable_fields(*args)[source]

Sets fields to be fetched in the VOTable. Must be one of those listed by list_votable_fields.

Parameters:
list of field_names
get_field_description(field_name)[source]

Displays a description of the VOTable field.

Parameters:
field_name : str

the name of the field to describe. Must be one of those listed by list_votable_fields.

Examples

>>> from astroquery.simbad import Simbad
>>> Simbad.get_field_description('main_id')
main identifier of an astronomical object. It is the same as id(1)
>>> Simbad.get_field_description('bibcodelist(y1-y2)')
number of references. The parameter is optional and limit the count to
the references between the years y1 and y2
get_votable_fields()[source]

Display votable fields

Examples

>>> from astroquery.simbad import Simbad
>>> Simbad.get_votable_fields()
['main_id', 'coordinates']
list_votable_fields()[source]

Lists all the fields that can be fetched for a VOTable.

Examples

>>> from astroquery.simbad import Simbad
>>> Simbad.list_votable_fields()
--NOTES--...
list_wildcards()[source]

Displays the available wildcards that may be used in Simbad queries and their usage.

Examples

>>> from astroquery.simbad import Simbad
>>> Simbad.list_wildcards()
* : Any string of characters (including an empty one)...

[^0-9] : Any (one) character not in the list.

? : Any character (exactly one character)

[abc] : Exactly one character taken in the list.
Can also be defined by a range of characters: [A-Z]
query_bibcode(bibcode, wildcard=False, verbose=False, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Queries the references corresponding to a given bibcode, and returns the results in a Table. Wildcards may be used to specify bibcodes.

Parameters:
bibcode : str

the bibcode of the article

wildcard : boolean, optional

When it is set to True it implies that the object is specified with wildcards. Defaults to False.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_bibcode_async(bibcode, wildcard=False, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Serves the same function as query_bibcode, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
bibcode : str

the bibcode of the article

wildcard : boolean, optional

When it is set to True it implies that the object is specified with wildcards. Defaults to False.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server.
query_bibobj(bibcode, verbose=False, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Query all the objects that are contained in the article specified by the bibcode, and return results as a Table.

Parameters:
bibcode : str

the bibcode of the article

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_bibobj_async(bibcode, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Serves the same function as query_bibobj, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
bibcode : str

the bibcode of the article

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server.
query_catalog(catalog, verbose=False, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Queries a whole catalog.

Results may be very large -number of rows should be controlled by configuring SimbadClass.ROW_LIMIT.

Parameters:
catalog : str

the name of the catalog.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_catalog_async(catalog, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Serves the same function as query_catalog, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
catalog : str

the name of the catalog.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server.
query_criteria(*args, **kwargs)[source]

Query SIMBAD based on any criteria.

Parameters:
args:

String arguments passed directly to SIMBAD’s script (e.g., ‘region(box, GAL, 10.5 -10.5, 0.5d 0.5d)’)

kwargs:

Keyword / value pairs passed to SIMBAD’s script engine (e.g., {‘otype’:’SNR’} will be rendered as otype=SNR)
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_criteria_async(*args, **kwargs)[source]

Query SIMBAD based on any criteria.

Parameters:
args:

String arguments passed directly to SIMBAD’s script (e.g., ‘region(box, GAL, 10.5 -10.5, 0.5d 0.5d)’)

kwargs:

Keyword / value pairs passed to SIMBAD’s script engine (e.g., {‘otype’:’SNR’} will be rendered as otype=SNR)

cache : bool

Cache the query?
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server
query_object(object_name, wildcard=False, verbose=False, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Queries Simbad for the given object and returns the result as a Table. Object names may also be specified with wildcard. See examples below.

Parameters:
object_name : str

name of object to be queried

wildcard : boolean, optional

When it is set to True it implies that the object is specified with wildcards. Defaults to False.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_object_async(object_name, wildcard=False, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Serves the same function as query_object, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
object_name : str

name of object to be queried

wildcard : boolean, optional

When it is set to True it implies that the object is specified with wildcards. Defaults to False.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server
query_objectids(object_name, verbose=False, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Query Simbad with an object name, and return a table of all names associated with that object in a Table.

Parameters:
object_name : str

name of object to be queried

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_objectids_async(object_name, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Serves the same function as query_objectids, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
object_name : str

name of object to be queried
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server.
query_objects(object_names, wildcard=False, verbose=False, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Queries Simbad for the specified list of objects and returns the results as a Table. Object names may be specified with wildcards if desired.

Parameters:
object_names : sequence of strs

names of objects to be queried

wildcard : boolean, optional

When True, the names may have wildcards in them. Defaults to False.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : Table

Query results table
query_objects_async(object_names, wildcard=False, cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Same as query_objects, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
object_names : sequence of strs

names of objects to be queried

wildcard : boolean, optional

When True, the names may have wildcards in them. Defaults to False.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server
query_region(*args, **kwargs)

Queries the service and returns a table object.

Serves the same function as query_region, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
coordinates : str or astropy.coordinates object

the identifier or coordinates around which to query.

radius : str or Quantity, optional

the radius of the region. If missing, set to default value of 2 arcmin.

equinox : float, optional

the equinox of the coordinates. If missing set to default 2000.0.

epoch : str, optional

the epoch of the input coordinates. Must be specified as [J|B] <epoch>. If missing, set to default J2000.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
table : A Table object.
query_region_async(coordinates, radius=<Quantity 2. arcmin>, equinox=2000.0, epoch='J2000', cache=True, get_query_payload=False)[source]

Serves the same function as query_region, but only collects the response from the Simbad server and returns.

Parameters:
coordinates : str or astropy.coordinates object

the identifier or coordinates around which to query.

radius : str or Quantity, optional

the radius of the region. If missing, set to default value of 2 arcmin.

equinox : float, optional

the equinox of the coordinates. If missing set to default 2000.0.

epoch : str, optional

the epoch of the input coordinates. Must be specified as [J|B] <epoch>. If missing, set to default J2000.

get_query_payload : bool, optional

When set to True the method returns the HTTP request parameters. Defaults to False.
Returns:
response : requests.Response

Response of the query from the server.
remove_votable_fields(*args, **kwargs)[source]

Removes the specified field names from SimbadClass._VOTABLE_FIELDS

Parameters:
list of field_names to be removed
strip_params: bool

If true, strip the specified keywords before removing them: e.g., ra(foo) would remove ra(bar) if this is True
reset_votable_fields()[source]

resets VOTABLE_FIELDS to defaults