XMM Users' Handbook

   
Interactive XMM data analysis with the SAS

The SAS will operate from a GUI as well as from the command line. Interactive data analysis will normally be performed using the GUI, while the command line interface (CLI) is primarily intended for batch jobs.

The basic functionality groups for interactive analysis in the SAS are:

• Importing all science and non-science XMM data.

• Preparation of data (e.g., extraction of the most important housekeeping data, attitude-related event selection).

• Data calibration (e.g., conversion of the individual node energy-PHA relationship to a common [pulse-invariant] scale).

• Data processing (i.e., the creation of data products, such as images, spectra and timeseries) and data analysis (source detection; imaging, photometric, spectroscopic and timing analyses, etc.).

• Data display and output.

• Data quality checks.

Once the SAS is released, this chapter will describe basic interactive analysis techniques.