Next: Reading/Obtaining Previous: Introduction

What is on Your Hardcopy

Several pages of hardcopy accompany most ASCA data distributions. These include summaries of the observation, the files included in the distribution, and any processing errors. There are also plots of housekeeping parameters, spectra and light curves. The PostScript and HTML files from which the hardcopy was printed are included in each distribution, and CD-ROM distributions allow you to view GIF and JPEG versions of all plots and images on a web browser.

You can find the following things among your hardcopy:

Processing Header Page

This page lists basic information about the observation including target name, observation date, processing version, and PI names and addresses.

List of Files

This page lists all the files in your distribution. It gives the size, parent directory, and a brief description of each file.

Event File Info

This page lists all filtered and unfiltered event files. It gives their exposure times and event counts, and lists all the FITS keywords which distinguish each file from others like it.

Processing Error Summary

This page lists all the errors encountered in processing. These errors are generally checked by the processing team and usually do not signify serious problems with the data. If you have any questions, contact ascahelp@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov

Filter File Plots

There are three plots of housekeeping information taken from the filter file(s). One plot shows parameters used to screen both GIS and SIS data, another shows additional parameters used to screen SIS data, and the third one shows the observing modes used. These are useful to determine the effect of screening criteria on the amount of exposure time. They also show the screening used to create the filtered event files.

Spectra

PI spectra are plotted for each instrument and source found in the field of view. The FITS format PI files for these spectra are included in your distribution and are useful for your initial analysis of the data.

Light Curves

Light curves are also plotted for each instrument and source. They will show any unusual flares or dropouts which may originate in the source or the instrument.

Next: Reading/Obtaining Previous: Introduction