XMM-Newton Science Analysis System: User Guide

4.1.2 The EPIC MOS Observation Data Files

The most relevant files for scientific analysis of a MOS observation are (depending on the observing mode) the imaging mode and/or the timing mode event list files together with the auxiliary file providing a detailed description of each frame recorded during the exposure. The structure of these files is described in the XMM-Newton Data File Handbook [29]. One imaging mode event list file is produced per CCD by the "Full Frame" and "Partial Window" instrumental modes. In the "Partial Window" mode, the imaging area of the central chip (CCD 1) is reduced to $100\times100$ ("Small Window" mode) or $300\times300$ ("Large Window" mode) pixels. In timing mode, the central chip collects spatial info only in one dimension (the X axis) whereas the Y axis is a measure of the detection time. The six surrounding CCDs always produce imaging mode event list files using the $600\times600$ pixel area.