The Guest Observer (GO) Data Handbooks and pipeline Users Manuals describe data products, processing steps, calibration procedures, and known issues.
EXES [pdf]
FIFI-LS [pdf]*
FLITECAM [pdf]*
FORCAST [pdf]*
HAWC+ [pdf]
* - The pipeline Users Manuals are provided for FIFI-LS, FLITECAM, and FORCAST. These include all of the information found in the GO Handbooks plus additional information about the pipeline software.
These documents provide simple "recipes" (i.e., descriptions and guided examples) for common data analysis objectives using SOFIA processed data. They are generally written for a graduate student audience and are intended to be used with the Data Handbooks. All cookbook recipes are also available here.
FORCAST Photometry [pdf]
Performing aperture photometry using flux calibrated FORCAST images accessed through Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) files
FORCAST Grism Spectra Series:
I. Basic Inspection and Assessment
Python tutorial on plotting and analyzing data.
II. Custom Spectral Extraction
Utilizes Level 2 two-dimensional images to plot the aperture and do a simple custom extraction using a different aperture.
III. Basic Line Analysis
Includes minor "cleaning" of the LEVEL_3 data and then some basic emission line analysis including continuum fitting and subtraction, line flux measurement, and simple line fitting.
HAWC+ Data Recipe with 30 Doradus Publicly Available SDDT Data
Associated white paper: SOFIA Community Science I—HAWC+ Polarimetry of 30 Doradus
Guides users through Python analysis techniques using the 30 Doradus dataset, teaching readers how to probe HAWC+ data cubes and learn basic analysis techniques—such as plotting Stokes parameters, error maps, and polarization vectors—to jump-start their own research.
FIFI-LS: Basic Cube Analysis using SOSPEX
Basic spectroscopic cube analysis using the SOFIA python tool SPectrum Explorer (SOSPEX), which displays FIFI-LS and GREAT spectral cubes and allows the user to perform a number of basic analysis routines on them. The cube is shown as a 2D image (spatial image obtained as average along the wavelength dimension) and as a spectrum (sum of spatial pixels of the original cube).
GREAT: How to View GREAT Spectra Using CLASS Utility
Finding a sample data set through modifying the baseline fit, averaging, and saving the result in a Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) file using the Continuum and Line Analysis Single-dish Software (CLASS) utility, the standard for single-dish heterodyne spectroscopy data reduction.
SOFIA SPectral EXplorer (SOSPEX)
The SOSPEX tool, written by Dario Fadda and Ed Chambers, allows users to explore the final data cubes produced by the data reduction pipeline. An overview of its use can be found on the SOSPEX poster from the AAS.
FLUXER
The FLUXER IDL tool, written by Christof Iserlohe, allows users to fit the continuum and estimate line strengths in the final FIFI-LS data cubes.
Summary of QA Process and Keywords
Calibrated FORCAST imaging data processed before Cycle 3 (2015) do not include the on-source integration time listed in their headers. The document FORCAST Imaging Exposure Time outlines the procedure for calculating the on-source integration time in Level 2 and 3 merged and co-added data files for these observations.