Overview and Introduction to the ROSAT Guest Observer Facility
The ROSAT Science Data Center (RSDC) is responsible for execution of the guest investigator program, including such activities as providing assistance in the preparation of proposals, the receiving, processing, and distributing ROSAT pointed data, and providing facilities for the scientific analysis of these data. The RSDC is managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and is a collaborative effort between three groups. The Space Data and Computing Division provides level 1 data processing and data distribution, while the Office of Guest Investigator Programs provides one of two U.S. ROSAT Guest Observer Facilities (GOF). The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) in Cambridge, Massachusetts provided verification of the processed level 1 data and the other U.S. Guest Observer Facility.
ROSAT Guest Observers can visit either of the two U.S. Guest Observer Facilities to seek assistance in analyzing their data.
The ROSAT data are analyzed primarily using the Post-Reduction Off-line Software (known as PROS) on Sun workstations at both GOF sites. PROS is a portable X-ray analysis system produced by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The software consists of applications tasks integrated into the Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF). It includes an optional interactive image display program, SAOIMAGE. Other widely used software systems for analysis of X-ray data, such as the XANADU programs (XIMAGE, XSPEC, and XRONOS) and the Interactive Data Language (IDL) also are available at the Goddard GOF.
Curator:
HEASARC Guest Observer Facility
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