[XTEnews]: Improved PCA Background software and RXTE Workshop Presentations Available

[xtenews@lists.nasa.gov]

Hello,

The XTE team would like to bring two items to your attention:

1. The PCA team has discovered that PCABACKEST version 3.7 and
   earlier can produce spike-like artifacts in estimated background
   files. These artifacts can affect spectra and light curves, depending
   on the energies and techniques used. The PCA team recommends that
   users immediately download and use pcabackest version 3.8, available
   from the HEASOFT 6.8 release:
     http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/lheasoft/release_notes.html
   Users can find a more detailed description of the issues in this 
   RXTE PCA Team Report:
     http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/xrays/programs/rxte/pca/doc/bkg/bkg-2009-spikes/

2. PDF files of the presentations given at the RXTE Workshop (Dec. 8 in 
   Washington, DC) are now on the Web at:
     http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xte/workshop.html