HEAsoft5.0.4 has just hit the streets. RXTE users will now enjoy enhanced accuracy in both their spectral and timing analyses. The response matrix tools PCARSP and PCARMF have been revamped with improved energy-to-channel information, a better treatment of known features near 6 and 35 keV, and can now generate response matrices for PCU0 for times after the loss of the propane layer. The barycenter-correction routine FXBARY has been replaced by the more accurate and precise FAXBARY. FXBARY became obsolete on December 31, 2000 when its ephemeris expired. The new code includes a more precise determination of the solar system barycenter, and adds a correction for the 16 microsecond delay intrinsic to the PCA which was not included in the FXBARY code. In addition, FAXBARY incorporates the fine clock corrections, which can result in improved accuracy of up to 60 microseconds in barycenter corrections.

Details and information for users can be found in the HEAsoft5.0.4 Release Notes

To download the patch see: HEAsoft Page.

For more information on improvements to PCARSP/PCARMF see the PCA Digest.

Details on the improved barycenter correction algorithm can be found at the new Timing Digest.