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A&A 370, 649-671 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010092

Maximum likelihood estimation of single X-ray point-source parameters in ROSAT data

F. G. Boese and S. Doebereiner

Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, 85741 Garching, Germany

(Received 31 October 2000 / Accepted 9 January 2001 )

Abstract
The point source parameter estimation via Maximum Likelihood Estimation in ROSAT data is docu men ted. The infall of X-ray photons is treated as a Poisson process. Based on the Poisson model, the log-likelihood function for unbinned data is derived. The adopted source and background models are explained. In the chosen parameterization, the Maximum Likelihood equations and their numerical solution are expounded. The performance of the method is illustrated by an example and tests on simulated observations.

Key words: X-ray: general, space vehicles: instrumentation: detectors, techniques: image processing

Offprint request: F. G. Boese, gub@mpe.mpg.de

© ESO 2001

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