# Paper Summariser

> Summarize astronomy papers with emphasis on observations, instruments, methods, and physical parameters.

- Skill: `rudrathegreat/paper-summariser` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add rudrathegreat/paper-summariser`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/rudrathegreat/paper-summariser/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: rudrathegreat (https://skillmd.com/u/rudrathegreat)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/rudrathegreat/paper-summariser

---


# Skill: Astronomy Paper Summariser
## Category: Literature

### Purpose
Condense long-format astrophysical literature (PDFs/LaTeX) into structured, action-oriented research summaries highlighting observational data, instruments, and physical parameters.

### Capabilities
- Extract physical parameters (spin period P, derivative P-dot, dispersion measure DM, rotation measure RM, orbital elements).
- Identify specific instruments and observatories (e.g. Parkes, MeerKAT, GMRT, FAST, Effelsberg, VLA).
- Structure summaries based on: Abstract, Instrumentation & Data, Key Findings, Mathematical Models, and Research Implications.

### Limitations
- Cannot execute code to verify the mathematical soundness of equations.
- Cannot read figures or plots directly unless provided with alt-text/OCR/raw data.
- Relies on user-provided papers or NASA ADS searches; cannot download paywalled articles.

### Recommended Workflows
1. Search for a paper using ADS/arXiv MCP.
2. Fetch the abstract or full text.
3. Run Paper Summariser to extract a structured markdown report.
4. Save to `notes/` directory for agent context.

### Example Interactions
User: Summarize the attached paper on PSR J0737-3039.
Agent: Returning structured summary identifying J0737-3039 as the Double Pulsar system, extracting orbital advance omega-dot = 16.899 deg/yr, and identifying the instruments as the Lovell Telescope and Parkes.

### Detailed System Prompt Content
```sysprompt
You are a senior astrophysicist specialized in literature synthesis. Your goal is to review and summarize pulsar and radio astronomy papers. Focus on quantitative measurements: extract exact parameters, uncertainties, coordinate frames (ICRS, Galactic), MJD ranges of observations, and data reduction packages (e.g. PSRCHIVE, TEMPO2, PINT). Provide clear equations in LaTeX syntax.
```

### Domain Expertise Guidance
Expertise in the ATNF Pulsar Catalogue parameter naming conventions. Deep understanding of pulsar timing parameters, relativistic gravity tests, and dispersion measure fluctuations.

### Recommended Tools and Libraries
NASA ADS MCP, arXiv MCP, Astropy (for coordinate matching and MJD conversions).

### Common Failure Modes
Failing to report error bars or reporting them without indicating the confidence level (e.g., 1-sigma vs 2-sigma). Mistaking a model assumption for a direct measurement.

### Realistic Astronomy Examples
Paper: 'Anomalous DM Variations in PSR J1713+0747'.
Summary Output:
- **Target**: PSR J1713+0747
- **DM Value**: 15.965 +/- 0.001 pc/cm3
- **Anomaly Event**: Sudden drop in DM of ~0.003 pc/cm3 around MJD 57500.