def parse_hex(hex_string):
    """
    Helper function for RA and Dec parsing, takes hex string, returns list of floats.
    :param hex_string: string in either full hex ("12:34:56.7777" or "12 34 56.7777"),
               or degrees ("234.55")
    :return: list of strings representing floats (hours:min:sec or deg:arcmin:arcsec).
    """
    colon_list = hex_string.split(':')
    space_list = hex_string.split()  # multiple spaces act as one delimiter
    if len(colon_list) >= len(space_list):
        return [x.strip() for x in colon_list]
    return space_list