4 Science data files and data flow

The instrument science data, housekeeping and auxillary data necessary to perform analysis are bundled into a data set known as the Observation Data File (ODFs).

   

Table 3: Sumary of calibration/performance verification observations

Revolution No.	Targets Observed	Revolution No.	Targets Observed
47	3C 58 on & off axis, NGC 2516	76	N132D & Canopus off-axis
48	A496 on & off-axis	77	A S 1101
50	EXO 0748-67	78	RXJ 0720.4-3125
51	PKS 0537	79	Alph Pic & Canopus off-axis
52	V2416 SGR	81	BPM 16274 & Lockman Hole
53	Capella offaxis	82	Mkn 766 & MS 1229.2+6430
54	Capella and Crab off-axis	83	N132D
55	EXO 0748-67	84	PKS 0558-504 & Mkn 421
56	Crab Pulsar & GX 13+1	85	PSR 0540
57	PKS 0312-770 & GX 13+1	86	Coma
58	NGC 2516 & GX 13+1	87	PKS 2155-304
59	EXO 0748-67	88	Abell 2690 & BPM 16274
60	NGC 2516 & G21.5-09	89	NGC 253 & HZ43
61	Canopus on-axis, GX 13+1 off axis & G21.5-09 offset	90	G158-100 & GD153
62	Canopus, GX 13+1 and G21.5-09 all off-axis	91	AB Dor & Zeta Puppis
63	MS 0737.9+7441	92	LMC X-3 & NGC 2516
64	Canopus and G21.5-09 off-axis	93	Coma offset
65	1ES0102-72 and G21.5-09 off-axis	94	3C 273
66	LMC X-3	95	3C 273
67	Canopus off axis and EXO 0748-676	96	Akn 564
68	Canopus off axis and CAL 83	97	M 87 & IRAS 13349+2438
69	YY Gem	98	Coma offset
70	Lockman Hole	99	Coma offset
71	Lockman Hole	100	M 31 Core & A 1795
72	AB Dor	101	Coma offset & A 1835
73	Lockman Hole	102	Tycho & OY Car
74	Lockman Hole	104	BPM 16274
75	Mkn205

This data set forms the basis of information provided to the Guest Observer community on CD-ROMs. Access to XMM-Newton data can also be achieved via http://xmm.vilspa.esa.es/, where eventually access to all XMM-Newton data will be available.

In order to process the ODFs, such that data are correctly calibrated for further scientific analysis, a data set named the Current Calibration File (CCF) is also supplied to the user. These data are offered as the best currently known calibration pertaining to the subject observation. The data not only allow the ODFs to be processed into calibrated datasets, but also provide all the necessary data to reduce the data scientifically (generate response matrices, make photometric corrections etc.). Improved calibration knowledge is provided from the SOC ftp site with sets of release notices detailing changes. An indexing mechanism ensures that the latest calibration data set for a particular observation date is always available.

The ODFs are first sent to the Survey Science Centre, where they are pipeline processed to produce a set of standard products (Watson et al. 2001). The Guest Observer receives these pipeline products which include cleaned and calibrated event lists, source detection lists and standard image, spectral and timing products. These form a starting point for the interactive analysis of the datasets. In addition to the standard XMM-Newton observation products, the SSC offers comprehensive catalogued cross-correlation analyses. All these are returned to the XMM-Newton Science Archive, and in the case of US Observers also to the NASA GSFC XMM-Newton Guest Observer Facility.