XMM-Newton Science Analysis System: User Guide

2.1 XMM-Newton data files

The full set of XMM-Newton data files, corresponding to a given XMM-Newton observation, is basically composed of:

• the observation data files (ODF): these files include raw event science files from the EPIC, RGS and OM instruments, instrument housekeeping files, radiation monitor files and spacecraft files. Tables 3, 6 and 10 show the list of relevant data file identifiers for EPIC, RGS and OM respectively.

• all the data products generated by the Pipeline Processing Subsystem (PPS) at the XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre (SOC). A complete general description of the PPS products is given in the Pipeline Products Description document. Tables 4, 9 and 12 show the list of relevant pipeline product file identifiers corresponding to EPIC, RGS and OM respectively.

Both sets of data can be retrieved from the XMM-Newton Science Archive (XSA) [4].

In addition, and in order to carry out the analysis of the data, a set of what are known as Current Calibration Files (CCF) is necessary. These CCFs are available from the XMM-Newton web server at:

http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/current-calibration-files

For each CCF, its respective Release Notes can be found at:

http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/ccf-release-notes

The XMM-Newton ODFs and CCFs are compliant with the Flexible Image Transport (FITS) standard. A detailed description of their format, structure, naming convention and contents is provided in the XMM-Newton Data File Handbook [29] and the documentation of the XMM-Newton Current Calibration Files [30].