CLUSTAN -- A Cluster-Analysis Package

Abstract

Astronomers have not, in the past, been among the most imaginative and swift group when it came to realising the potentials afforded by 20th century progress in statistics. However, this is now changing and an increasing number of astronomical papers are turning to modern statistical analysis techniques to assist in data exploration and description (e.g. see Murtagh & Heck 1987, for a list of references). A very convincing case highlighting the need for a proper statistical methodology in astronomy has been given by Heck et al. (1985), and details of the applications of such a methodology have been given by Murtagh (1986). Heck et al. stressed that the most important statistical methods for modern astronomical problems are probably the multivariate methods such as principal-components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Astronomers are now realising that ways are urgently needed to adequately handle, condense and interpret the huge and growing quantities of data currently being produced from our telescopes, instruments, satellites and measuring machines. To assist UK astronomers working at the forefront in these areas Starlink has purchased an integrated commercial package CLUSTAN, which performs sophisticated Cluster Analysis and Multivariate statistical analysis techniques. It is available at the following sites: Birmingham, Cambridge, Durham, Leicester, Manchester, Preston, Queen Mary and Westfield College, RAL, ROE, and Southampton. Users at other Starlink sites can access CLUSTAN on STADAT. They will need to ask their site manager to obtain a manual for their site from the Starlink Software Librarian.