Custom Templates

Add your own spectra to the template library for classification.

Requirements

Data Quality

Requirement Minimum Recommended
Signal-to-Noise S/N ≥ 10 S/N ≥ 20
Wavelength Coverage 70% of 3500–9000 Å 90%
Spectral Resolution R ≥ 500 R ≥ 1000

Metadata

Required fields: - Name: Object designation (e.g., "SN2024abc") - Type: Main classification (Ia, Ib, Ic, II, SLSN, etc.) - Subtype: Detailed classification (norm, 91bg, IIP, etc.) - Age: Days from maximum light - Redshift: Host redshift

Creating Templates

GUI Method

  1. Run snid-sage-templates to open the standalone Template Manager
  2. Go to the Create tab
  3. Load spectrum file (supports .dat, .txt, .csv, .fits)
  4. Fill metadata:
  5. Name, Type, Subtype
  6. Age (days from max)
  7. Redshift
  8. Preview the processed template
  9. Save to your User Templates folder

Standalone launcher

snid-sage-templates

Templates are currently created one spectrum or epoch at a time in snid-sage-templates.

File Formats

Supported spectrum formats: - .dat, .txt, .ascii - Whitespace-separated (wavelength, flux) - .csv - Comma-separated with optional headers - .fits - Standard FITS format

Wavelength must be in Angstroms. Flux units are normalized internally.

User Templates Location

Templates you create are stored in your User Templates folder:

User_templates/
├── template_index.user.json    # Your template index
├── templates_Ia.user.hdf5      # Your Type Ia templates
├── templates_II.user.hdf5      # Your Type II templates
└── ...

Set or change this folder: - Template Manager → left panel → Change User Folder

Override Behavior

When you have a user HDF5 for a type (e.g., templates_Ia.user.hdf5), it replaces the built-in templates for that type during analysis. This ensures your custom templates are used.

Best Practices

  • Use high S/N spectra - Better templates give better classifications
  • Accurate metadata - Correct type, subtype, and age are essential
  • Complete wavelength coverage - Gaps reduce correlation quality
  • Multiple epochs - Time series improve age constraints
  • Version control - Keep your User Templates folder backed up

See Also