TESS CTL Stars Observed in Multiple Sectors

Part I. Introduction

This document describes how to install TESS star list files for stars observed across multiple sectors and then use them to build TESS light curve directories with LcGenerator. If you have any questions, please contact the LcTools author at aschmitt@comcast.net.

Part II. Installing TESS Star List Files for Multiple Sectors

1. If star list directory "<drive>:\Stars_TESS_MS" does not exist, create it. Any target drive can be used. For example, "C:\Stars_TESS_MS".

2. Using the tables below, determine the target star list ZIP file(s) you wish to use. Please note that the files in these tables are subject to change without notice. To ensure data compatibility across datasets, it is strongly recommended that you install all files that you intend to use at the same time.

3. Right-click on the file link and select “Open link in new window” from the pop-up menu. Move the window so you can still see these instructions.

Available TESS Multi-Sector Star List ZIP Files

for Southern Ecliptic Hemisphere

Created on 2025-10-03

Last southern sector processed: 96

Available TESS Multi-Sector Star List ZIP Files

for Northern Ecliptic Hemisphere

Created on 2025-09-29

Last northern sector processed: 86

4. You will be taken to Google Drive on the Web. Click on the Download icon located in the top right corner of the page as shown below:

5. Once your Web browser has downloaded the ZIP file, click on the file to open it. Then extract (unzip) the star list files into directory "<drive>:\Stars_TESS_MS". Note that each star list file contains up to 25,000 sequentially numbered star IDs for a multi-sector count. Files have the name "Stars_{South|North}_MS<xxx>_P<yy>.txt" where <xxx> is the 3-digit multi-sector count and <yy> is the 2-digit part number for the multi-sector count. For example, "Stars_South_MS002_P03.txt".

Part III. Using LcGenerator to Build a TESS Light Curve Directory

1. Start LcGenerator.

2. In the "Lightcurve Directory" field, type-in pathname "<drive>:\Lightcurves_TESS_{South|North}_MS<xxx>_P<yy>" where <drive> is replaced with a target drive letter, <xxx> is replaced with a 3-digit 0 padded multi-sector count and <yy> is replaced with a 2-digit 0 padded part number for the multi-sector count. For example, "C:\Lightcurves_TESS_South_MS002_P03".

3. In the Project field, select TESS from drop-down list.

4. Under the "Star List File" field, click the Select button. In the subsequent dialog box, navigate to directory "<drive>:\Stars_TESS_MS" and select star list file "Stars_{South|North}_MS<xxx>_P<yy>.txt". For example, "Stars_South_MS002_P03.txt". The "{South|North}_MS<xxx>_P<yy>" portion of the filename should match that in the Lightcurve Directory name.

5. In the Periods group box, select the All radio button.

6. In the Cadence group box, select a bin size from the drop-down list. A value of 2 points per hour is recommended.

7. In the Flux Type group box, select PDCSAP or SAP as desired. PDCSAP is recommended.

8. In the Quality Filter group box, select a radio button. The second button is recommended.

9. Click the "Start Job" button to begin building light curve files in the target directory. A sample LcGenerator window is shown below:

See the "LcGenerator User Guide" for details. The document can be opened within LcGenerator by selecting "Help→User Guide" from the menu bar.

10. Once the build is complete, execute LcSignalFinder or LcViewer as applicable to process the light curve files.

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