XMM-Newton-NEWS

Contents:

• Let us know about XMM-Newton related Ph.D.
• Version 8.0 of the Science Analysis System (SAS) released

Let us know about XMM-Newton related Ph.D.

• Year of the thesis
• Candidate's name
• Supervisor's name
• Statement that the thesis is either based on, or making use of, XMM-Newton observations

Version 8.0 of the Science Analysis System (SAS) released

• new task eslewchain for data reduction and source detection of slew data;
• new task epiclccorr for EPIC light curve background subtraction and exposure correction, valid both for PN and MOS in all user available modes;
• randomization of event times in EPIC-PN imaging modes within the frame duration performed by default, to avoid aliasing effects in light curves;
• new algorithm for better detection and correction of PN time jumps, including the possibility of the user defined SAS_JUMP_THRESHOLD environment variable;
• RGS alternative analysis based on a wavelength grid, offered in this version as non default, making possible the absolute alignment of spectra from different RGSs, orders and observations. Please note that tasks dealing with combination of several spectra, like rgsfluxer and rgscombine, still need some upgrading for working always with wavelength grid obtained spectra;
• refined OM astrometry, improved OM source detection and flagging, all changes needed for the OM sources catalogue production;
• improvement of OM mosaicing of imaging data by using the astrometric correction of the single images;
• improvement of OM grism performance for crowded fields;
• analysis of OM FAST mode images, introducing detection of possible modulo-8 and coincidence loss corruption.

EPIC

• new task epfast, for column and rate dependent CTI and gain correction on PN timing and burst modes. The calibration of this correction is still ongoing and therefore the current calibration file (CCF) has coefficients set to unity such that no correction is performed. The update is expected in due course;
• inclusion of a 2-dimensional elliptical Point Spread Function (PSF) for a more accurate off-axis correction of the integrated encircled energy fraction, maintained as non-default until calibration finished and the necessary CCF gets populated. Until then, elliptical regions cannot be used to extract spectra from point sources. The update is expected in due course;

OM

• use of current calibration file OM_PHOTONNAT_0004.CCF for computing time-dependent photocathode sensitivity correction factors making possible their update at any time.