Maximizing the scientific return: the evolution of the XMM-Newton Scientific Analysis System
Abstract
The XMM-Newton Science Analysis System SAS is the software package used for calibration and reduction of data from the mission leading to more than 1000 refereed scientific papers published in the last 5 years SAS maintenance further development and distribution are under the responsibility of ESA s XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre SOC located at the European Space Astronomy Centre ESAC near Madrid Spain in coordination with the Survey Science Centre SSC University of Leicester UK representing a collaborative effort of more than 30 scientific institutes in Europe and the USA The concept of a user friendly data analysis S W package distributed to the observers from which a subset is used under a fixed configuration for pipeline production of all the mission data products corresponding to different instruments shows great value Observers can reproduce the data calibration and reduction performed with the best general parameters or they can refine the data analysis tailoring it to their own particular goals Free access to the data and software together with a substantial support not only in terms of documentation but also from a helpdesk staffed by experts represent especially an opportunity for those scientific communities in developing countries which have not hitherto been involved in X-ray astronomy hardware and mission development for financial reasons The maturity of both calibration and data reduction capabilities reflected in the recent substantial upgrade to a new SAS version has led
- Publication:
-
36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006cosp...36.1354G