This workshop style course will cover the basics of X-ray data analysis of astrophysical sources, obtained with both current and past missions. The workshop is suitable for anyone with a background in astrophysical observations in any wavelength who wished to study the rich archive of X-ray observations or newly obtained data sets. The course will provide an introduction to space-based astronomical X-ray observations, the reduction and calibrations of these data, the data structures and FITS formats used to store the data, the use of appropriate software packages for X-ray analysis, and will detail methods of X-ray imaging, spectral and timing analysis. Participants should have available a linux-based laptop with at least 20 GB free disk space. Participants are encourage to bring their own projects to work on.

NOTES

Public: Graduate students and researchers.

Schedule: September 19th to 23th, daily from 10:00-13:00

Room: DAM Seminar, 7th floor, Physics Faculty, UB

Objectives / Acquired Knowledge: Participants will be able to locate, download, reduce, andanalyze X-ray data from all major missions, past and on-going.

Registration process: Fill this form

Reccommended accommodation: http://icc.ub.edu/about/contact/accomodation_visitors

Topics Covered, Preliminary Course Outline:

• Astronomical X-ray Sources
  
• Review of Galactic X-ray Sources
• Review of extragalactic X-ray Sources
• X-ray Observations
  
• Overview of X-ray Missions
• X-ray Optics
• X-ray Detectors
• Space-based Observatory Considerations
• X-ray Data Structures and Archival Data
  
• Archival Data (HEASARC,CXC,SAS)
• Data Structures and FITS Format
• Data Reduction and Filtering
• Instrument / Mirror / Timing Calibrations
• Software Tools
  
• Generic Software Packages (e.g., FTOOLS)
• Mission Based Software Packages (e.g, CIAO, SAS)
• Calibration Data Files (e.g., CALDB, SAS CIF)
• Image Analysis
  
• Spatial Image Response and Exposure Maps
• Cosmic/Solar/Particle/Internal Background Contaminations
• Point Source Imaging
• Extended Source Imaging (e.g., supernova remnants)
• Spectral Analysis
• Instrument/Mirror Spectral Responses (point-like and diffuse sources)
• Detector Background Estimation
• Spectral Modeling Methods and Programs
• Timing Analysis
• Binned Lightcurves
• Isolated / Binary Pulsars
• Blind Searches For Pulsations
• QPO’s