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5. Programs

5.1 autocor

This task calculates an auto correlation for one time series, plots and outputs the results (in a FITS file). The auto correlation is computed either by an FFT algorithm (fast=yes, the default) or a slower direct Fourier algorithm (fast=no). Both FITS binned data format and event format are valid input, and can be rebinned and divided into Intervals and Frames. The results of the auto correlation from several intervals can be averaged in a frame, and the averaged results can be rebinned. The standard plot output is the auto correlation function versus time delay (positive) given in seconds.

When outfiletype=2 (the default), the output file for the autocor task contains in each extension the following columns: time delay, half width of time delay bin, autocorrelation and error. Not many applications can currently deal with the output files produced when outfiletype=1.

    Usage: autocor cfile1 window dtnb nbint nintfm rebin outfile
           plot plotdev

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1   - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window   - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       dtnb     - Newbin Time or negative rebinning[]
       nbint    - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       nintfm   - Number of Intervals/Frame[]
       rebin    - Rebin results? (>1 const rebin, <-1 geom. rebin, 0 none)[0]
       outfile  - Name of output file[default]
       plot     - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev  - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]

The following parameters are used by autocor. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *cfile1        window        dtnb          nbint         nintfm
      rebin         nbdf          itre          itremo        outfile
      outfileroot   outfiletype   plot          plotdev       plotfile
      gapfill       forcestart   *errorbars     exposure     *normalization
      spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale       offset       *fast

5.1.1 cfile1

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filename for the time series (+ options) used to calculate auto-correlation. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.1.2 errorbars

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=5; range $>$1)

If the specified number of intervals per frame (nintfm) is greater than or equal to the value of errorbars parameter (default=5), the error bars are calculated from the standard deviation of the average of the auto correlations in each delay bin from different intervals. Otherwise there are two behaviors depending on the fast parameter. If fast=yes (the default), the error bars are set to zero. If fast=no, error bars are obtained by propagating the theoretical errors bars of the auto correlations from individual intervals in turn obtained by propagating the newbin error bars through the auto correlation formula.

5.1.3 normalization

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1)

Specify the type of normalization to apply to the results. The normalization parameter has the following meanings (and values):

5.1.4 fast

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=yes)

Sets the algorithm used for the Fourier transform. If yes (the default), an FFT algorthim is used, otherwise a slower direct Fourier calculation is performed. Note: if fast=yes, nbint must be a power of 2 due to the use of the FFT algorithm.

Examples:
     
    From a time series of length 10000 seconds with a binning of
    6.25e-2  seconds, calculate the auto correlation function of 8192
    points (equivalent to an interval in time of 512 seconds) and average
    every 5 intervals in one frame (4 frames in total). Apply no rebinning
    to the results, make a plot and output the results in a file.
     
    > autocor cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=6.25e-2 nbint=8192
              nintfm=5 rebin=0 plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"
     
    Same as above but all the intervals are averaged in one frame
     
    > autocor cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=6.25e-2 nbint=8192
              nintfm=INDEF rebin=0 plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"

5.2 crosscor

This task calculates the cross correlation of 2 input time series, plots and outputs the results (in a FITS file). The cross correlation is computed either by an FFT algorithm (fast=yes, the default) or a slower direct Fourier algorithm (fast=no). It requires two simultaneous input time series (FITS format). The results of the cross correlation from several intervals can be averaged in a frame. The standard plot output is cross correlation versus time delay. The time delays refer to the 1st series: therefore a cross correlation function peaking for positive time delays indicates that variations in the 2nd series lag those in the 1st series.

When outfiletype=2 (the default), the output file for the crosscor task contains in each extension the following columns: time delay, half width of time delay bin, cross correlation and error. Not many applications can currently deal with the output files produced when outfiletype=1.

    Usage: crosscor cfile1 cfile2 window dtnb nbint nintfm
           plot plotdev outfile

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1   - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile2   - Ser. 2 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window   - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       dtnb     - Newbin Time or negative rebinning[]
       nbint    - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       nintfm   - Number of Intervals/Frame[]
       outfile  - Name of output file[default]
       plot     - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev  - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]

The following parameters are used by crosscor. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *cfile1       *cfile2        window        dtnb          nbint
      nintfm        nbdf          itre          itremo        outfile
      outfileroot   outfiletype   plot          plotdev       plotfile
      gapfill       forcestart   *errorbars     exposure     *normalization
     *simultaneous  spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale       offset
     *fast

5.2.1 cfile1,cfile2

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filenames for the time series (+ options) used to calculate cross-correlation. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.2.2 errorbars

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=5; range $>$1)

If the specified number of intervals per frame (nintfm) is greater than or equal to the value of errorbars parameter (default=5), the error bars are calculated from the standard deviation of the average of the cross correlations in each delay bin from different intervals. Otherwise, there are two behaviors depending on the fast parameter. If fast=yes (the default), the error bars are set to zero. If fast=no, error bars are obtained by propagating the theoretical errors bars of the cross correlations from individual intervals in turn obtained by propagating the newbin error bars through the cross correlation formula.

5.2.3 normalization

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1)

Specify the type of normalization to apply to the results. The normalization parameter has the following meanings (and values):

5.2.4 simultaneous

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=no)

If =yes a strict simultaneousness between the two series can be imposed (i.e. if the n-th newbin of a series is a gap or is rejected, then the n-th newbin of all other series will be also rejected). This is useful to check whether artificial time delay between the two series are introduced by a non strict simultaneousness of the two series.

5.2.5 fast

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=yes)

Sets the algorithm used for the Fourier transform. If yes (the default), an FFT algorthim is used, otherwise a slower direct Fourier calculation is performed. Note: if fast=yes, nbint must be a power of 2 due to the use of the FFT algorithm.

Examples:
     
    Given 2 time series with an original binning of 1 second and length 1.5
    hours compute the cross correlation in intervals of 1024 points and
    average all the results per interval in a frame.  Make a plot and
    output the results.
     
    > crosscor  cfile1="mydata1.lc" cfile2="myfile2.lc" window="-"
                dtnb=1 nbint=1024 nintfm=INDEF plot=yes plotdev="/xw"
                outfile="-"
     
    As before but using as input file a list of filenames (@all.lis) (see
    "Filelist").
     
    > crosscor cfile1="@all.lis"  window="-" dtnb=1 nbint=1024
               nintfm=INDEF plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"
     
    Given 2 time series with an original binning of 1 second and length 1.5
    hours compute cross correlation using all the data  in one interval
    (nintfm=1). The number of points in such interval length are 5400 and
    for the fast method this requires that the number of points be a power
    of two. The closest value is 8192.
     
    > crosscor cfile1="@all.lis" window="-" dtnb=1 nbint=8192
               nintfm=INDEF plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"

5.3 efold

This task calculates folded lightcurves, plots and outputs the results (in a FITS file). Up to 4 simultaneous time series can be input (FITS format) and ratios and sums are calculated (for more that 2 input series). In efold the newbin time corresponds to the time duration of a phase bin in the folded light curve, internally calculated after input a number of phase bins. Folded lightcurves from different intervals can be averaged in one or more frame. The standard plot output is normalised counts/sec versus phase, but for multiple time series the hardness and colour-colour diagrams are available where appropriate.

The output for efold task consists of phase and counts/s vectors (with associated error columns) There are as many count/s vectors as there are of time series analysed (therefore up to 4). For 2 input series the additional columns contain the ratio (ser2/ser1) and the sum (ser1+ser2) of the input series and their errors. For 3 input series the additional columns contain two ratios (ser2/ser1 and ser3/ser2) and the sum (ser1+ser2+ser3) and their errors. For 4 input series the additional columns contain two ratios (ser2/ser1 and ser4/ser3) and the sum (ser1+ser2+ser3+ser4) and their errors. The output also contains a fractional exposure column (currently is filled with values different from 1 only for 1 input series)

    Usage: efold nser file(s)+options window sepoch dper nphase nbint
                 nintfm plot plotdev plotdnum outfile

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       nser     - Number of time series for this task[]
       cfile1   - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile2   - Ser. 2 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile3   - Ser. 3 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile4   - Ser. 4 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window   - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       sepoch   - Epoch[]
       dper     - Period[]
       nphase   - Phasebins/Period {value or neg. power of 2}[]
       nbint    - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       nintfm   - Number of Intervals/Frame[]
       outfile  - Name of output file[default]
       plot     - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev  - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]
       plotdnum - Enter PLOT style number (default=1 )[1]

The following parameters are used by efold. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat          lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *nser          *cfile1       *cfile2       *cfile3       *cfile4
      window        *epochfo      *sepoch       *perfo        *dper
     *dpdot          nphase        nbint         nintfm        nbdf
      outfile        outfileroot   outfiletype   plot          plotdev
      plotfile      *plotdnum      forcestart   *errorbars     exposure
     *normalization  spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale       offset
     *flatexpo

5.3.1 nser

(Integer parameter; queried; d/f=1)

Number of input time series simultaneously processed. Only the cfile parameters up to the value for nser will be prompted.

5.3.2 cfile1,cfile2,cfile3,cfile4

(Character parameter; queried)

Input filenames for the time series (+ options) to be folded. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.3.3 epochfo

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1; values=1,2,3)

Specify format for the input epoch of phase zero. There are three possible formats for epochfo: (1) days; (2) integer days and second (dd ss); and (3) days hours minute second and millisecond (dd hh mm ss ms). The epochfo default format is set to days (1).

5.3.4 sepoch

(String parameter; queried)

Value for epoch used as phase zero in the folding. The default value is the integer day of the start time.

5.3.5 perfo

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1; values=1,2)

Specify format for the input period. The period can be input either as (1) fractional days or in (2) seconds. The default value is set to seconds (2).

5.3.6 dper

(Real parameter; queried)

Value for the period used in the folding.

5.3.7 dpdot

(Real parameter; hidden; d/f=0)

Period derivative.

5.3.8 plotdnum

(Integer parameter; queried; d/f=1; values=1,2,3,4)

The parameter sets the number of subplots which will appear on the plotting device. For more than 1 input series, two different plots are provided which are differentiated by the number of final subplot. The first has TIME or PHASE (default plot) on the X-axis and as many Y-axis as the number of input time series (lightcurve or folded lightcurve). The parameter plotdnum, in this case, should be set equal to the total number of timeseries (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 4). The second plot type is available only for 2 or more time series and gives either Hardness versus total Intensity (2 series) or Colour-Colour diagram (3 or 4 series). To obtain this type of plot, the parameter plotdnum should be set equal 1 regardless of the time series number. For more information see the "Plotting Multiple Series" section under "QDP/PLT".

5.3.9 errorbars

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=5; range $>$1)

The error bars are calculated after averaging folded lightcurves from different intervals in a frame. If the specified number of intervals per frame (nintfm) is greater than or equal to the value of errorbars parameter (default=5), the error bars are calculated from the standard deviation of the mean values of each phase bin. Otherwise the error bars are obtained by propagating the error in each phase.

5.3.10 normalization

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1)

Specify the type of normalization to apply to the results. The normalization parameter has the following meanings (and values):

Note the hardness ratios are not affected by the normalization flag.

5.3.11 simultaneous

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=no)

If =yes a strict simultaneousness between the two series can be imposed (i.e. if the n-th newbin of a series is a gap or is rejected, then the n-th newbin of all other series will be also rejected). This is useful to check whether artificial time delay between the two series are introduced by a non strict simultaneousness of the two series.

5.3.12 flatexpo

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=no)

This parameter sets the exposure in each bin of the folded lightcurve to be constant (=1) when dealing with event file. For an event file the exposure in each folded bin is calculated using the GTI extension to account for the data gap in the data. If the period used in the folding is very short compared to the gaps, this calculation slows down the program since the exposure is being calculated for each nbint. For fast periods since the number of bins affected by the gap is quite reduced, it is possible to speed the calculation by setting flatexpo=yes.

Examples:
     
    For a single file data (1 time series) of length 5000 seconds,
    calculate the folded lightcurve using a period of 37 seconds and 10
    phase bins using 1352 data points (this will correspond to one interval
    per frame). Make a plot and output the results.
     
    > efold nser=1 cfile1="myfile.lc" window="-" sepoch=INDEF dper=37
            nphase=10 nbint=1352 nintfm=INDEF plot=yes plotdev="/xw"
            plotdnum=1 outfile="-"
     
    As above but using only 300 points per interval and average all the
    intervals in one frame.
     
    > efold nser=1 cfile1="myfile.lc" window="-" sepoch=INDEF dper=37
            nphase=10 nbint=300 nintfm=INDEF plot=yes plotdev="/xw"
            plotdnum=1 outfile="-"
     
    As above but using 3 input series and plot the Colour-Colour diagram
     
    > efold nser=3 cfile1="@all.lis" window="-" sepoch=INDEF dper=37
            nphase=10 nbint=300 nintfm=INDEF plot=yes plotdev="/xw"
            plotdnum=1 outfile="-"

5.4 efsearch

This task searches for periodicities in a time series (input in FITS format) by folding data over a range of periods, determines the chi-square of the folded lightcurve, plots the chi-square values versus the periods with the best period found in the search written as a label in the plot, and outputs the results (in a FITS file). The search can be separately done in different Intervals. In efsearch the newbin time corresponds to the time duration of a phase bin in the folded light curve, internally calculated after inputting a number of phase bins. The newbins per interval and the newbin time determines the length of the time axis, e.g. an internal, over which a group of folded light curves is accumulated and their chi-square versus period is calculated. The period resolution is the spacing between two contiguous periods in the search. The default adopted is half of the Fourier resolution in the interval, P*P/T/2 where P is the trial period and T the interval duration. With the above resolution a coherent periodicity will appear as a 1-2 bin broad peak in the chi-square versus period plot. The period values are determined by adding to Po the total number of periods equispaced by the given resolution, where Po is determined by subtracting half of the total number of periods equispaced by the given resolution from the trial period. Error bars for the chi-square represent the standard deviation of the relevant chi-square distribution rescale by the value of the chi-square for each period divided by N-1, where N is the number of phase bins.

The output for the efsearch task for outfiletype=2 contains in each extension the following columns: period, chi-square and error. Not many applications can currently deal with the output files produced when outfiletype=1.

    Usage: efsearch cfile1 window sepoch dper nphase nbint dres
                    nper outfile plot plotdev

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1  - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window  - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       sepoch  - Epoch[]
       dper    - Period[]
       nphase  - Phasebins/Period {value or neg. power of 2}[]
       nbint   - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       dres    - Resolution for period search {value or neg. power of 2}[]
       nper    - Number of periods to search[100]
       outfile - Name of output file[default]
       plot    - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]

The following parameters are used by efsearch. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *cfile1        window       *epochfo      *sepoch       *perfo
     *dper         *dpdot        *dres         *nper          nphase
      nbint         nintfm        nbdf          outfile       outfileroot
      outfiletype   plot          plotdev       plotfile      forcestart
      exposure      spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale       offset
     *flatexpo

5.4.1 cfile1

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filename for the time series + options to be searched. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.4.2 epochfo

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1; values=1,2,3)

Specify format for the input epoch of phase zero. There are three possible formats for epochfo: (1) days; (2) integer days and second (dd ss); and (3) days hours minute second and millisecond (dd hh mm ss ms). The epochfo default format is set to days (1).

5.4.3 sepoch

(String parameter; queried)

Value for epoch used as phase zero in the folding. The default value is the integer day of the start time.

5.4.4 perfo

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1; values=1,2)

Specify format for the input period. The period can be input either as (1) fractional days or in (2) seconds. The default value is set to seconds (2).

5.4.5 dper

(Real parameter; queried)

The value used as the center of the range of trial periods.

5.4.6 dpdot

(Real parameter; hidden; d/f=0)

Period derivative.

5.4.7 dres

(Real parameter; queried)

The period resolution is the spacing between two contiguous periods in the search. The resolution value should be given in the same unit (seconds or days) used for the period. Typing INDEF forces the task to use the default value which corresponds to half of the Fourier resolution in the interval (e.g. P*P/T(i)/2 where P is the period and T(i) is the interval duration).

5.4.8 nper

(Integer parameter; queried; d/f=100)

The number of periods over which the search is carried out.

5.4.9 flatexpo

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=no)

This parameter sets the exposure in each bin of the folded lightcurve to be constant (=1) when dealing with event file. For an event file the exposure in each folded bin is calculated using the GTI extension to account for the data gap in the data. If the period used in the folding is very short compared to the gaps, this calculation slows down the program since the exposure is being calculated for each nbint. For fast periods since the number of bins affected by the gap is quite reduced, it is possible to speed the calculation by setting flatexpo=yes.

Examples:
     
    Using 1.5 hours of data, search over 100 periods for the best
    chi-square (period), using a trial period of 37 seconds and folding the
    lightcurve over 10 phases with the default resolution (period step).
    Make a plot and output the results.
     
    > efsearch cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" sepoch=INDEF dper=37
               nphase=10 nbint=INDEF nper=100 dres=INDEF outfile="-"
               plot=yes plotdev="/xw"
     
    As above but divide the data in two intervals. Two parameters change
    from the above setup: `nbint` and `dres`. The newbin time in 1.5 hours
    of data using a period of 37 seconds and 10 phases is 3.7 seconds,
    therefore the total number of "nbint" in 1.5 hours is 1460. To search
    in half of the data (e.g. two intervals) nbint should be set to 730.
    Note that the default resolution in this case will reduce by half.
     
    > efsearch cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" sepoch=INDEF dper=37
               nphase=10 nbint=730 nper=100 dres=INDEF outfile="-"
               plot=yes plotdev="/xw"

5.5 lcmath

This program takes as input two binned lightcurves and calculates a result lightcurve either subtracting (second from the first) or adding the two input files. The two input files should cover the same time interval. In particular the start time and the stop time of the first lightcurve should be included within the start and stop time of the second lightcurve. Errors are given if the start and/or the stop are outside of the time interval of the second file. The time resolution of the two files can be different, but the integration time of the first input file should be always less than or equal to that in the second input file. The task does not work for input files containing an EVENT table. Constant scaling and additive factors can be separately input for both lightcurves. By default, the task will apply any vignetting (or collimator) and deadtime correction information contained in the input file (header keywords VIGNET and DEADC) to the result lightcurve. The user may cancel this correction by setting the parameter docor=no. The columns names recognized by the task are TIME, COUNT, RATE and ERROR. The units (TUNITn keyword) are expected to be 'count' for column name 'COUNT' and 'count/s' for column name RATE. The input file structure is a FITS bintable with data stored in the column COUNT or RATE either as a single element or a vector of element in each row. For the last case the task works correctly only if the column n contains a vector of counts in different channel (the value of the column keyword 1CTYPn should be "CHANNEL"). The parameters emin and emax are applicable in this case. The structure of the output file will always have data stored as a single element in each row.

    Usage: lcmath infile bgfile outfile multi multb

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       infile  - name of input fits file[]
       bgfile  - name of background fits file[]
       outfile - name of output fits file[]
       multi   - Scaling factor for input[1.]
       multb   - Scaling factor for background[1.]
       addsubr - Add instead of subract?[no]

The following parameters are used by lcmath. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat        *infile       *bgfile       *outfile
     *multi        *multb        *addsubr      *addi         *addb
     *docor        *emin         *emax         *err_mode

5.5.1 infile

(Character parameter; queried)

The name of the first input lightcurve. If the task is used in subtraction mode the file should contain source+background data.

5.5.2 bgfile

(Character parameter; queried)

The name of the second input lightcurve. If the task is used in subtraction mode the file should contain background data.

5.5.3 outfile

(Character parameter; queried)

The name of the output result lightcurve. If lcmath is used in the subtracting mode the file contain source data only and the keyword BACKAPP is added or updated.

5.5.4 multi

(Real parameter; queried; d/f=1.)

Scaling factor for first input lightcurve.

5.5.5 multb

(Real parameter; queried; d/f=1.)

Scaling factor for second input lightcurve (or background lightcurve).

5.5.6 addsubr

(Logical parameter; queried; d/f=no)

Flag to add input lightcurve instead of subtract. The default value is set to subtract (addsubr=no) the lightcurve.

5.5.7 addi

(Real parameter; hidden; d/f=0.)

Additive offset for first input lightcurve. This value should be given as counts (internally the value corrected for the bin fractional exposure).

5.5.8 addb

(Real parameter; hidden; d/f=0.)

Additive offset for second input lightcurve (or background lightcurve). This value should be given as counts (internally the value is corrected for the bin fractional exposure).

5.5.9 docor

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=yes)

Whether to apply the corrections to the result lightcurve. If the input lightcurves have stored in the header the vignetting or collimator (VIGNET keyword) and the deadtime (keyword DEADC) correction, this is also applied by default to the output lightcurve.

5.5.10 emin

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=0)

Minimum energy channel to use. Enter 0 for no lower bound.

5.5.11 emax

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=0)

Maximum energy channel to use. Enter 0 for no upper bound.

5.5.12 err_mode

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1; values 1-6)

If scaling and additive factors are input for both files the derived counts are calculated as:

    count1=M1*x1 + C1
    count2=M2*x2 + C2
where M1 and M2 are the input scaling values for the first and second lightcurve respectively; C1 and C2 are the additive input factors in counts (rescaling for the fractional exposure) and x1 and x2 are the value always in counts read from the files (if the file contains rate x1 and x2 are the value after rescaling for the integration and exposure time).

The final results in the output file will be:

    count3=count1 -/+ count2 divided for the integration time

The error for count3 is calculated as:

    err3=sqrt(err1**2 + err2**2)
where err3, err2, and err1 are the error values for the count3, count2 and count1 respectively.

To calculate the individual errors (i.e. err1 for the quantity count1 and err2 for the quantity count2) the user can choose one of the 6 different methods listed below.

        Mode 1   err1=sqrt((sqrt(M1*sx1*sx1))**2 + C1)
     
        Mode 2   err1=sqrt((M1*sx1)**2)
     
        Mode 3   err1=sqrt( (sqrt(M1*sx1*sx1))**2)
     
        Mode 4   err1=sqrt( (M1*sx1)**2 + C1)
     
        Mode 5   err1=sqrt(count1)
     
        Mode 6   The error in the output file is set equal to the
                 value of the error of first input file (i.e. err3=sx1)
If the file contains an error column, sx1 is the value in the file rescaled for the integration time and exposure, otherwise sx1 is set as the sqrt(x1) or sqrt(x2). If x1 or x2 are 0 the error (sx1 or sx2) is set to 1. If the scaling factor is 1 and the additive factor is 0, the methods 1,2,3,4 are equivalent.

5.6 lcstats

This task performs statistical analysis for one times series and prints the results on the screen (no output is produced). The input file format is FITS using the BINTABLE extension in either binned data or event list format.

The following quantities are calculated:

    Usage: lcstats cfile1 window dtnb nbint

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1  - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window  - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       dtnb    - Newbin Time or negative rebinning[]
       nbint   - Number of Newbins/Interval[]

The following parameters are used by lcstats. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       dpath        *cfile1
      window        dtnb          nbint         nbdf          itre
      itremo        forcestart    exposure      spwinbefore   spwinafter
      rescale       offset

5.6.1 cfile1

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filename for the time series (+ options) to calculate statistics. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

Examples:
     
    Calculate statistical variables for an input time series with a binning
    of 100 seconds and a start-stop=5000 seconds in one interval (50 newbin
    per interval)
     
    > lcstats cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=INDEF nbint=50
     
    For an input time series (consisting of several files) with an original
    binning of 400 seconds and a total length of 6 hours, calculate
    statistical variables using a newbin of 800 seconds over 2-hour
    intervals (9 newbin per interval for a total of 3 intervals).
     
    > lcstats cfile1="@all.lis" window="-" dtnb=800 nbint=9
     
    The file `all.lis` contains the list of filenames for one time series (see
    "Filelist").

5.7 lcurve

Produces binned lightcurves and plot up to 4 simultaneous energy time series. For more than 2 input time series, ratio and sum are also calculated. This task produces binned lightcurves, plots and outputs the results (in a FITS file). The standard plot output is counts/sec versus time, but for multiple time series the hardness and colour-colour diagrams are available where appropriate.

The output for the lcurve task consists of time and counts/s vectors (with associated error columns). There are as many count/s vectors as there are time series analysed (therefore up to 4). The time column always contains number of seconds from the keyword TIMEZERO (or TIMEZERI and TIMEZERF). The time in the output (TIME(n)+TIMEZERO) is in TJD (TJD=JD-2440000.5) if the input light curves have the MJDREF keyword present in the header, otherwise the original times are maintained. Note that the TIMESYS keyword in either cases is not currently set. For 2 input series the additional columns contain the ratio (ser2/ser1) and the sum (ser1+ser2) of the input series and their errors. For 3 input series the additional columns contain two ratios (ser2/ser1 and ser3/ser2) and the sum (ser1+ser2+ser3) and their errors. For 4 input series the additional columns contain two ratios (ser2/ser1 and ser4/ser3) and the sum (ser1+ser2+ser3+ser4) and their errors. The output also contains a fractional exposure column (currently is filled with values different from 1 for only 1 input series)

    Usage: lcurve nser file(s)+options window dtnb nbint outfile
           plot plotdev

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       nser     - Number of time series for this task[]
       cfile1   - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile2   - Ser. 2 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile3   - Ser. 3 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       cfile4   - Ser. 4 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window   - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       dtnb     - Newbin Time or negative rebinning[]
       nbint    - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       outfile  - Name of output file[default]
       plot     - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev  - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]
       plotdnum - Enter PLOT style number (default=1 )[1]

The following parameters are used by lcurve. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *nser         *cfile1       *cfile2       *cfile3       *cfile4
      window        dtnb          nbint         nbdf         *tunits
      outfile       outfileroot   outfiletype   plot          plotdev
      plotfile     *plotdnum      itre          itremo        forcestart
      exposure     *simultaneous  spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale
      offset

5.7.1 nser

(Integer parameter; queried; d/f=1)

Number of input time series simultaneously processed. Only the cfile parameters up to the value for nser will be prompted.

5.7.2 cfile1,cfile2,cfile3,cfile4

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filenames for the time series (+ options). The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.7.3 tunits

(Integer parameter; hidden; values 0-4)

Five different time axis units can be specified: (0) seconds from the start time of the current interval (which might be different from the time of the first accepted newbin) (1) seconds from the start of the hour, (2) hours from the start of the day, (3) days, (4) seconds from the start time of the first interval. Option 4 is useful when the lightcurve is broken into several intervals and it is desirable to maintain for each plotted interval the same counter (from the start time of the first interval) for the time axis. The default depends on the duration of the input series and is printed on the screen. Typing INDEF forces the task to use the calculated value.

5.7.4 plotdnum

(Integer parameter; queried; d/f=1; values=1,2,3,4)

The parameter sets the number of subplots which will appear on the plotting device. For 2 input series, three different plots are available: 1) Total intensity on X-axis and Ratio on Y-axis (Hardness), 2) Time (or Phase) on the X-axis and intensity of the 2 input series on the Y-axis, and 3) as 2 but also the ratio is plotted. The parameter plotdnum should be set equal to 1 or 2 or 3 respectively to get one of the three style plots. For 3 or 4 input series only two style of plots are available : 1) Colour-Colour diagram (ratio 1 vs ratio 2) and 2) Time (or phase) on the X-axis and intensity of the 3 (or 4) input series on the Y-axis. The parameter plotdnum should be set equal to 1 or to the total number of input timeseries (e.g. 3 or 4) respectively to get one of the two style plots. For more information see the "Plotting Multiple Series" section under "QDP/PLT".

5.7.5 simultaneous

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=no)

If =yes a strict simultaneity is forced between the input series provided more than one series has been specified (i.e. if the n-th newbin of a series is a gap or is rejected, then the n-th newbin of all other series will be also rejected).

Examples:
     
    From a single file data (1 time series) with a binning of 20
    seconds and a start-stop=5000 seconds, create a one interval lightcurve
    with a binning of 100 seconds. Make a plot and output the results.
     
    >lcurve nser=1 cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=100 nbint=50
            outfile="-" plot=yes plotdev="/xw"
     
    From 3 input series with a binning of 20 seconds and a length of
    5 hours, create a one-interval lightcurve with a binning of 400
    seconds. Plot the Colour-Colour diagram and not create an output.
     
    >lcurve nser=3 cfile1="@all.lis" window="-" dtnb=400 nbint=45
            outfile=" " plot=yes plotdev="/xw" plotdnum=1
     
    The file `all.lis` contains the list of filenames for each series (see
    "Filelist").

5.8 listdata

This task lists on screen a summary header and the data points of input file(s) for one time series. The input file format is FITS using the BINTABLE extension in either binned data or event format. For each data point the following is printed on the screen : time associated with the bin N as fractional day, and the h:m:s:ms of that day, the integration time (set -1 for event list), count/s, error and fractional exposure (set to 1 for event list). Changing the tchat parameter to higher values causes the FITS header to be printed as well. To list only part of the data Phase, Intensity and Exposure windows (See "Windows") can be used for screening. A range of data rows can be selected using the input option frN and lrM where n and M are the first and the last row to be printed on the screen.

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1  - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window  - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]

The following parameters are used by listdata. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       dpath        *cfile1
      window

5.8.1 cfile1

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filename for the time series (+ options) to list. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

Examples:
     
    List the header and all the data of myfile.lc
     
    > listdata cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-"
     
    List the header and the data from row 100 to 300 of myfile.lc
     
    > listdata cfile1="muyfile.lc fr100 lr300" window="-"
     
    List  the  header and the data of myfile.lc using time window in
    mywindow.wi file
     
    > listdata cfile1="muyfile.lc fr100 lr300" window="mywindow.wi"

5.9 powspec

This task produces a power spectral density for one time series, plots and outputs the results (in a FITS file). The power spectrum is computed either by an FFT algorithm (fast=yes, the default) or a slower direct Fourier algorithm (fast=no). The input file format is FITS using the BINTABLE extension in either binned data or event format. The power spectra from several intervals can be averaged in a frame, and the results can be rebinned. The standard plot output is power versus frequency.

When outfiletype=2 (the default) the output file for the powspec task contains in each extension the following columns: frequency, half width frequency bin, power, error and the number of power spectrum bins averaged in frequency (as result of rebinning) or in time (as results of averaging intervals in frame). Not many applications can currently deal with the output files produced when outfiletype=1.

    Usage: powspec cfile1 window dtnb nbint nintfm rebin outfile
                   plot plotdev

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1  - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window  - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       dtnb    - Newbin Time or negative rebinning[]
       nbint   - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       nintfm  - Number of Intervals/Frame[]
       rebin   - Rebin results? (>1 const rebin, <-1 geom. rebin, 0 none)[0]
       outfile - Name of output file[default]
       plot    - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]

The following parameters are used by powspec. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *cfile1        window        dtnb          nbint         nintfm
      rebin         nbdf          itre          itremo        outfile
      outfileroot   outfiletype   plot          plotdev       plotfile
      gapfill       forcestart   *errorbars     exposure     *normalization
      spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale       offset       *fast

5.9.1 cfile1

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filename for the time series (+ options) to calculate a power spectral density. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.9.2 errorbars

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=5; range $>$1)

If the specified number of intervals per frame (nintfm) is greater than or equal to the value of the errorbars parameter (default=5), the error bars are calculated from the standard deviation of the average of the power in each frequency bin from different intervals. Otherwise, error bars are obtained by propagating the theoretical errors bars associated with each power spectrum.

For example, if errorbars is 5 in powspec: (a) if a frame contains the average fewer than 5 power spectra, then the error bars in the average power spectrum will be calculated by propagating through the average the theoretical error bars associated with each power spectrum (in turn obtained from the relevant chi-square distribution); (b) if a frame contains the average of 5 or more power spectra, then the error bars in the average power spectrum will be calculated by evaluating the standard deviation of the average power for each frequency. By adjusting the value of errorbars it is possible, e.g. to evaluate error bars as in (a), also in the case in which a large number of intervals per frame has been specified. Values $<$ 5 are not recommended (at least 5-6 measures are necessary to reliably evaluate the standard deviation of the average from the scatter around it).

5.9.3 normalization

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1)

Specify the type of normalization to apply to the results. The normalization parameter has the following meanings (and values):

5.9.4 fast

(Logical parameter; hidden; d/f=yes)

Sets the algorithm used for the Fourier transform. If yes (the default), an FFT algorthim is used, otherwise a slower direct Fourier calculation is performed. Note: if fast=yes, nbint must be a power of 2 due to the use of the FFT algorithm.

Examples:
     
    From a time series of 10000 sec with a binning of 6.25e-2
    seconds, calculate the  power spectrum of 8192 points (equivalent to an
    interval in time of 512 seconds) and average every 5 intervals in one
    frame (4 frames in total). Apply no rebinning to the results, make a
    plot and output the results in a file.
     
    > powspec cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=6.25e-2 nbint=8192 nintfm=5
              rebin=0 plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"
     
    Same as above but all the intervals are averaged in one frame.
     
    > powspec cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=6.25e-2 nbint=8192
              nintfm=INDEF rebin=0 plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"

5.10 timeskew

This task calculates a time skewness function for one time series, plots and outputs the results (in a FITS file). The time skewness is computed using a slow algorithm. The input file format is FITS using the BINTABLE extension in either binned data or event list format. The standard plot output is the time skewness function versus time delay.

When outfiletype=2 (the default), the output file contains in each extension the following columns: time delay, half width of time delay bin, time skewness and error. Not many applications can currently deal with the output files produced when outfiletype=1.

    Usage: timeskew cfile1 window dtnb nbint nintfm rebin outfile
                    plot plotdev

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       cfile1  - Ser. 1 filename +options (or @file of filenames +options)[]
       window  - Name of the window file ('-' for default window)[-]
       dtnb    - Newbin Time or negative rebinning[]
       nbint   - Number of Newbins/Interval[]
       nintfm  - Number of Intervals/Frame[]
       rebin   - Rebin results? (>1 const rebin, <-1 geom. rebin, 0 none)[0]
       outfile - Name of output file[default]
       plot    - Do you want to plot your results?[yes]
       plotdev - Enter PGPLOT device[/XW]

The following parameters are used by timeskew. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname       clobber       dpath
     *cfile1        window        dtnb          nbint         nintfm
      rebin         nbdf          itre          itremo        outfile
      outfileroot   outfiletype   plot          plotdev       plotfile
      gapfill       forcestart   *errorbars     exposure     *normalization
      spwinbefore   spwinafter    rescale       offset

5.10.1 cfile1

(Character parameter; queried)

Specify input filename for the time series (+ options) to calculate time skewness function. The valid input files are in FITS format using the BINTABLE extension. Xronos tasks may read for each time series many consecutive input files (up to 50). Additional flexibility is provided by "Input File Options" which are used to perform algebraic operations on individual input files (either on the 'times' or on the 'count' or 'count/s' values). The "Input File Options" are also used to select columns and rows within a FITS file. If the first character of the input string is @, the rest of the string is taken to be a filename containing the list of input files (see "Filelist").

5.10.2 errorbars

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=5; range $>$1)

If the specified number of intervals per frame (nintfm) is greater than or equal to the value of errorbars parameter (default=5), time skewness error bars are calculated from the standard deviation of the average of the time skewness in each time delay bin from different intervals. Otherwise, error bars are obtained by propagating the theoretical errors bars of the time skewness from individual intervals (in turn obtained by propagating the newbin errors bars through the time skewness formula).

5.10.3 normalization

(Integer parameter; hidden; d/f=1)

Specify the type of normalization to apply to the results. The normalization parameter has the following meanings (and values):

Examples:
     
    From a time series of 10000 sec with a binning of 6.25e-2
    seconds, calculate the time skewness of 8192 points (equivalent to an
    interval in time of 512 seconds) and average every 5 intervals in one
    frame (4 frames in total). Apply no rebinning to the results, make a
    plot and output the results in a file.
     
    > timeskew cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=6.25e-2 nbint=8192
               nintfm=5 rebin=0 plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"
     
    Same as above but all the intervals are averaged in one frame
     
    > timeskew cfile1="mydata.lc" window="-" dtnb=6.25e-2 nbint=8192
               nintfm=INDEF rebin=0 plot=yes plotdev="/xw" outfile="-"

5.11 xronwin

This task is a script which writes a new or modifies an existing XRONOS window file. XRONOS window files are ASCII files and contain values for the different type of windows and text. There are 4 types of windows in the XRONOS window file (See "Windows"):

When the script is invoked the following menu is displayed:

     [T]  Change TIME Windows
     [P]  Change PHASE Windows
     [I]  Change INTENSITY Windows
     [E]  Change EXPOSURE Windows
     [R]  READ an Input file
     [S]  SHOW All Defined Windows
     [C]  CLEAR All Defined Windows
     [W]  WRITE Window file
     [Q]  QUIT Window Program
     [DS] Define Series Number (Currently 1)
     [DB] Define Bin Type (Currently Orig. Bins)
     [DE] Define Epoch for Phase Windows (Currently Undefined)
     [DP] Define Period for Phase Windows (Currently Undefined)
     [DW] Copy Defined Windows from Series to Series
    Choose an action:

One of the actions in square brackets should be entered. The minimun and maximum values of the Time [T], Phase [P], Intensity [I] and Exposure [E] windows must always be given in increasing order. The different types of window can be specified in any order, the script will give the correct order in the output file. An epoch [DS] and a period [DP] are required when phase windows are selected. If not given, the script displays a warning message. Intensity and Exposure windows can be specified independently for (i) Bins , (ii) New Bins , (iii) Intervals (XRONOS basic time entities), using the option [DB]. When dealing with more than one time series, Intensity and Exposure windows must be specified separately for each series, using the option [DS] and/or using [DW] to copy the current exposure and or intensity window from one time series to another. To read an existent XRONOS window file use the the option [R]. Input files are cumulative therefore many existent XRONOS window files can be read in (via the [R] option) and further modified. All the windows read in, for each type, are added (up to the maximun value allowed) with exception of the Exposure windows for which only the last read or set is accepted. Checking for overlapping windows is done only within the Change options (e.g. [T], [P], [I], [E]). It is therefore recommended, after reading many existing files, that users to check for conflicts (and corrections) using the above options. Entering [S] gives an overview of the current defined windows and after the selection is completed the option [W] writes the XRONOS window file. The values for the phase window range from 0 to 1. Exposure windows consist of a minimum and a maximum exposure level. Units are such that 1 means 100% exposure. The default values for the minimun exposure window in bin, newbin and interval are set to 0.

Three formats for time are available to enter time windows:

    1. day - enter one number (e.g. 123.524268391)
    2. day sec - enter two numbers, the 2nd must contain a decimal point.
           (e.g. 123 45296.789)
    3. day hr min sec msec - enter up to 5 numbers, the 5th may contain a
           decimal point. (e.g. 123 12 34 56 789)

The same rules apply for entering the Epoch for phase windows. Note that time windows and epoch values should be compatible with how XRONOS reconstructs the time. The time used within XRONOS tasks is Truncated Julian Days (TJD=JD-2440000.5) if either (1) the keyword MJDREF is present in the header of the files or (2) if the TIMESYS value is one of the following strings MJD or JD or TJD. If neither (1) or (2) are true, the times are given in days relative to the value found in the TIME column.

The following optional command line flags are available:

      -h               Get online help
     
      -i infile        Name of the input window file.  You may specify a window
                       file containing some starting values that you wish to
                       modify or add to. If you  don't specify one, you will
                       get the default values.
     
      -o outfile       Output window file name.
     
      -v               Verbose mode.

5.12 ascii2flc

This task is a script which creates a lightcurve FITS file, suitable for XRONOS, from an ASCII format file by calling the FTOOL task fcreate. Different types of FITS lightcurve formats can be created depending on the number of columns available in the ASCII file.

The input file is a free-format ASCII file. Each line of data corresponds to one row in the FITS table and should contain values for every column. Any line whose first non-whitespace character is not a digit will be treated as a comment. The script asks for the column number (in the ASCII file) of the following quantities: Time, Rate (or Counts), Errors and Fractional Exposure. Not all of them need to be present, only the Rate (or Count) with the Error (in the case of Count only if different from sqrt(Count)) columns are required. If the time column is not present, the input timing header keywords (see later) are sufficient for XRONOS to reconstruct the time for each bin. NOTE that undefined values in the data file (es. data gap) should be marked with "INDEF".

The script also asks for the following values: TIMEUNIT, TSTART, TSTOP, TIMEDEL and TIMEZERO. Those are the minimum required header keywords for the FITS lightcurve output. All the keywords should be entered in the same unit either days ('d') or seconds ('s'). The unit value is the input for TIMEUNIT. TSTART and TSTOP define the start and stop of the lightcurve and TIMEDEL the integration time. If the TIME column is not present in the ASCII, the script prompts for TIMEZERO which is a reference value, used within XRONOS to calculate the nth bin time. See also fcreate help.

The following optional command line flags are available:

      -h               Get online help
     
      -i infile[ext]   Name of the input ASCII data file.
     
      -o outfile       Output file FITS file name.
     
      -d               Debug mode.  Doesn't delete temporary files on exit.

5.13 flc2ascii

This task is a script which dumps a FITS lightcurve or a XRONOS output file into ASCII and adds header information suitable for QDP/PLT. The output ASCII file contains: (1) the QDP/PLT command 'READ SERR', followed by numbers indicating the vectors which have errors, (2) the FITS header and GTI extension (if present in the input file) with an '!' prepended to each line, and (3) columns of data representing the X-axis and Y-axis (plus additional error columns and a fractional exposure column, if selected from the input file). The script recognizes two possible formats for the FITS lightcurve or XRONOS output: data stored (a) as a single element or (b) as an array of elements in column (Note only one dimension e.g. TDIMn= '(j)'). For the format (a), all the rows in the table for a given column are moved into the ASCII file, for (b), only one row (array type) is dumped into an ASCII file. The script creates an X-axis if not present in the FITS lightcurve or XRONOS output. For the format (b) the X-axis is derived using the auxiliary coordinates column keywords (e.g. 1CTYPn, 1CVALn, 1CDLTn with n column number). Only if the X-axis is TIME for the format (a), the X column in the ASCII file is derived from the timing header keyword TIMEDEL.

The following optional command line flags are available:

      -h                Get online help
     
      -i infile[ext]    Name of the input file.  Extension may be specified with
                        + or []. Default extension is 1.
     
      -o outfile        Output file name.
     
      -q                Spawn QDP on output file when finished.
     
      -r #              For a "one interval per row" type input file, specifies
                        which  row number.
     
      -x column[,error] Column name for the X axis and (optional) X error column.
                        (For no X column enter 0).
     
      -y column[,error] Column name for the Y axis and (optional) Y error column.
     
      -f column         Column name for the fractional exposure (0 for none).

5.14 rbf2fits

This task converts the "EXOSAT rate buffer" binary format in FITS format suitable for XRONOS. Currently only the rate buffer type 0 and 2 are implemented. The detectors information (the second rate buffer record) is translated in FITS header keywords for the ME, GSPC, CMA (1 and 2) and TGS (1 and 2) EXOSAT detectors.

Note: Rate buffer files are binary format files and are platform dependent.

    Usage: rbf2fits infile outfile

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       infile  - Input name rate buffer[]
       outfile - Output file[]

The following parameters are used by rbf2fits. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat        *infile       *outfile

5.14.1 infile

(Character parameter; queried)

Input filename for the rate buffer.

5.14.2 outfile

(Character parameter; queried)

Output filename for the FITS file. If the string is blank the default filename is set as the input file with extension ".lc"

5.15 earth2sun

This task corrects the arrival time of photons, assumed as tagged at Earth, for the time delay EARTH-SUN. No other corrections are applied, in particular it is not included the corrections for travel time from the satellite-earth or any spacecraft clock delay. This program uses the JPL DE200 ephemeris,given as FITS binary table (Standish,M.,1982 Astr. Ap.,114,297). The file validity is until 31 December 2050. The task takes as input only FITS file with binary table extension. The format of the FITS input file can contain many extensions. The task corrects the times only in one selected extension.The selected extension can be specified at the input level (see parameter input file). If the FITS file is an EVENT list the times in the EVENT and GTI extensions are corrected. A file is assumed an EVENT list if the EXTNAME and/or HDUCLAS1 keywords contain the string EVENT (or EVENTS). The column name containing the time values can be specified at input level (see parameter Column name). The default column name is TIME. The time values in the TIME column are expected to be either MJD (or TJD or JD) values (1) or residuals from a MJD reference time (2) given as header keyword. In the first case (the time column contains values written as a MJD or JD or TJD), the header keyword 'TIMESYS' is required, containing with one of the following values: MJD or JD or TJD. In the second case, the keyword 'MJDREF' (or 'MJDREFI', integer part, and 'MJDREFF' fractional part) should contain an MJD value. If MJDREF is not found and TIMESYS is not either MJD or JD or TJD the program gives a fatal error.

A GTI extension is expected in the file if the FITS file is an EVENT list, and it is identified if the either EXTNAME or HDUCLAS1 keyword contain the string GTI (or ALLGTI or STDGTI). The GTI extension format must have at least two columns named START and STOP and no other column named are searched and/or recognized. The task adds and/or replaces a number of header keywords. TIMREF is set to 'SOLARSYSTEM'. TSTART and TSTOP are set either to the first and last value in the TIME column or if an EVENT list to the first start GTI and last stop GTI.

    Usage: earth2sun infile colnam outfile ra dec

The following represents the parameters that will be queried interactively if not specified when the task is executed.

       infile  - Name of input file[]
       colnam  - Column name[TIME]
       outfile - Name of output file[]
       ra      - RA in hh mm ss.s or degrees -- epoch 2000[0.0]
       dec     - DEC in dd mm ss.s or degrees -- epoch 2000[0.0]

The following parameters are used by earth2sun. Parameters with task-specific meaning are marked *. All others are documented in "Common Parameters".

      tchat         lchat         logname      *infile       *colnam
     *outfile      *ra           *dec          *ephfile

5.15.1 infile

(Character parameter; queried)

The name of the input file for which the correction is needed. The extension can be specified either as "infile+#" or "infile[#]" where # is the extension number.

5.15.2 colnam

(Character parameter; queried; d/f="TIME")

The name of the column containing the times value. Default name is TIME.

5.15.3 outfile

(Character parameter; queried)

The name of the output file. Note in the output file all the extensions present in the input file are copied.

5.15.4 ra

(Real parameter; queried)

The RA of the source (either in hh:mm:ss.s or deg) given in 2000.0 equinox.

5.15.5 dec

(Real parameter; queried)

The Declination of the source (either in dd:mm:ss.s or deg) given in 2000.0 equinox.

5.15.6 ephfile

(Real parameter; queried)

Name and path of the ephemeris file. Ephemeris valid until 31 December 2050


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Next: 6. Windows Up: XRONOS User's Guide Previous: 4. Input Files   Contents
Alex Padgett 2009-08-21