This document is meant as a guide and reference for scientists who
are generally familiar with astronomical X-ray analysis and the Suzaku
instruments and want to use Suzaku data to extract scientific results.
General information on the Suzaku satellite may be obtained from the
Suzaku Guest Observer Facility (GOF) page,
http://suzaku.gsfc.nasa.gov.
Readers who are not familiar with the Suzaku
instruments may wish to read the technical appendix of the NASA
Research Announcement (NRA), available at:
http://suzaku.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/suzaku/prop_tools/suzaku_td.
This document is intended to familiarize the readers with the standard procedure for Suzaku data analysis. Unusual data modes, complex data reduction methods, and advanced data analysis techniques are outside its present scope but could be added as time progresses.
This version corresponds to the analysis of Version 2 processed data. References will be made to Version 1 processed data as a historical record and to ease transition. Changes from Version 1 are substantial enough that we recommend that older versions of this guide and other materials be discarded. We also strongly recommend that users start their analysis from Version 2 processed data.
The software needed for Suzaku data analysis is described in Chapter 2, including instructions for its downloading and installation. In Chapter 3, we explain the Suzaku data directory structure, coordinate systems, and file names and formats. In Chapter 4, we provide a broad overview of the data analysis flow. In Chapter 6 and 7, we explain how to analyze data from the X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) and Hard X-Ray Detector (HXD) and explain the issues both analysis. Acronyms used in this document are described in Appendix A. Useful email addresses and websites are given in Appendix B.