Mandatory Calibration File Keywords defined by the HEASARC

Calibration data to be incorporated into the HEASARC calibration database are FITS formatted files (generally images or binary tables or some combination). The following keywords need to be added to the headers of all extensions of calibration datasets meant to be part of the HEASARC Calibration Database. These keywords represent the minimum amount of information necessary in order to create a calibration index file for the given dataset.

Please see CAL/GEN/92-011, "Required and Recommended FITS keywords for Calibration Files" (available as html or pdf) for additional details.

Calibration File Keyword	Description	Index File Column Name
TELESCOP	The name of the satellite or mission. Allowed Values are given in OGIP/93-013	TELESCOPE
INSTRUME	Name of the instrument. Allowed values given in OGIP/93-013	INSTRUME
DETNAM	Name of the detector. Only applicable if INSTRUME value is ambiguous. Values given in OGIP/93-013	DETNAM
FILTER	Name of the filter in use, if applicable	FILTER
CCLSmmmm	HEASARC class of the calibration file (PCF, BCF, CPF, USR)	CAL_CLAS
CDTPmmmm	Distinguishes "real" (DATA) or "virtual" (TASK) calibration information	CAL_DTYP
CCNMmmmm	Contents Descriptor. See the CAL_CNAM Dictionary or Appendix A of CAL/GEN/92-011 for defined values.	CAL_CNAM
CBDnmmmm	Parameter limits for a given calibration dataset. Syntax is defined in Section B.3 of CAL/GEN/92-011	CAL_CBD
CVSDmmmm	Date (UTC) after which calibration dataset can be used	CAL_VSD
CVSTmmmm	Time (UTC) of day on specified CVSDmmmm after which calibration dataset can be used	CAL_VST
CDESmmmm	Descriptive summary of calibration dataset	CAL_DESC