XMM-NEWTON DATA ANALYSIS
SAS
The basic reduction of XMM-Newton data is provided by the Science Analysis System (SAS) software package produced by the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre (SSC).
The SAS provides tasks to produce calibrated photon even files from the Observation Data Format (ODF) files supplied to the user as well as some basic analysis tools. These include data filtering and extraction, production of rmfs and arfs for spectral analysis, and source detection routines.
Source code, pre-built binaries, calibration files and documentation can be downloded from the XMM-Newton SOC at Vilspa, or if you know the operating system you have, you can download the SAS from the US mirror site conversion table.
The SAS was not designed for high level scientific analysis such as spectral fitting and temporal analysis. However, the SAS product files are designed to OGIP standards, so theoretically any high-level analysis package for use in high-energy astrophysics is capable of processing XMM-Newton data. For example:
- HEASoft
from the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC).
- CIAO from the Chandra X-ray Observatory Center (CXC).
can both be used for XMM-Newton data analysis.
The SAS Users Guide can be found on-line at GSFC or the SOC. G'zipped PostScript (9 Mb) and PDF (4.5 Mb) versions are available. On-line documentation for the SAS tasks can be found at GSFC or the SOC.
The XMM-Newton Users Handbook can be found on-line at GSFC or the SOC. G'zipped PostScript (8.8 Mbyte compressed, 98 Mbyte uncompressed) and PDF (9.4 Mbyte) versions are available.
The XMM-Newton Calibration Access and Data Handbook can be found on-line at the SOC.
- HEASoft
from the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC).
XMM-Newton Data Archive
The XMM-Newton Science Archive is open for business.
XMM-ESAS Background Modeling Software
The XMM-ESAS software package (available from the GOF or SOC) allows the user to create EPIC MOS background spectra and images for user-defined regions of the detectors. While the software is currently only implimented for the MOS detectors, work is underway to adapt the methods to the PN.
XMM-Newton Within The Hera Environment
The Hera facility within HEASARC is implimenting SAS tasks to simplify the introduction of new users to the analysis of XMM-Newton data by not requiring the installation of SAS on a local machine. Thus far the facility is limited to the production of RMFs and ARFs for EPIC imaging observations but additional tasks will be added. An example for the usage of this facility can be found here.
CCF, EPIC and RGS Calibration Status, and Canned Response Files
Links to the Vilspa CCF area, calibration status documents, and canned response files are located on our calibration pages.
XMM-Newton ABC Guide
The NASA/GSFC XMM-Newton GOF has prepared an "ABC guide for XMM data analysis". This is intended to be a companion document for the SAS. It provides simple analysis walk throughs and practical information.
XMM-Newton D Guide
The NASA/GSFC XMM-Newton GOF has prepared a brief "D guide for XMM data analysis". When the ABC Guide is too much information this is an alternative. It provides a quick reference guide for the basic SAS tasks.
Optical Monitor Script
This package was written in order to simplify the task of getting OM data into an easy to use format.The code works on the Pipeline product files and produces one image file for each filter and each low- or high-resolution mode. In addition, it reads the exposure maps associated with the files and produces one exposure map for each filter and each mode.
The script, and further information can be retrieved here: ftp://legacy.gsfc.nasa.gov/xmm/software/om_tools/
XMM-Newton Source Naming Convention
Naming conventions for sources found by individual researchers==============================================================
The XMM-Newton Observatory will produce serendipitous catalogues of typically 10's of X-ray sources and additional Optical/UV targets for each and every observation. While the eventual comprehensive catalogues will be produced by pipeline processing of data by the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre, the following designation for informal identification in individual fields is recommended:
If you are referring to detected sources in XMM-Newton fields you should follow the naming convention XMMUJ HHMMSS.s+/-DDMMSS
e.g. source position: RA 03 10 15.1, Dec -76 51 31.2 (J2000) recommended acronym: XMMUJ 031015.1-765131
source position: RA 17 23 48.7, Dec +82 17 33.8 (J2000) recommended acronym: XMMUJ 172348.7+821733
(Taken from XMM-NEWTON NEWS #3).
Gnupg (GPG) for archive file decryption
In order to decrypt propriatry XMM-Newton data pgp or gpg with IDEA support is needed. If you don't have this on your system we have made some static binaryies available that will work with our decrypt script.
If you have any questions concerning XMM-Newton send e-mail to xmmhelp@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov