Determining the optimum scan map strategy for Herschel-SPIRE using the SPIRE photometer simulator

Waskett, T., Sibthorpe, B., Griffin, Matthew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0033-177X and Chanial, P. F. 2007. Determining the optimum scan map strategy for Herschel-SPIRE using the SPIRE photometer simulator. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 381 (4) , pp. 1583-1590. 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12327.x

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Abstract

The forthcoming Herschel space mission will provide an unprecedented view of the far-infrared/submillimetre Universe, with the SPIRE instrument covering the 200–670 μm wavelength range. To obtain the best quality of astronomical data from such an expensive mission the observing modes must be optimized as far as possible. This paper presents the possible scanning strategies that can be utilized by the SPIRE photometer, within the limitations imposed by the Herschel spacecraft. Each strategy is investigated for effectiveness by performing simulated observations, using the SPIRE photometer simulator. By quantifying the data quality using a simple metric, we have been able to select the optimum scanning strategy for SPIRE when it begins taking science data within the next couple of years. Additionally, this work has led to the development of a specific SPIRE mapmaking algorithm, based on the CMB code MADmap, to be provided as part of the SPIRE data pipeline processing suite. This will allow every SPIRE user to take full advantage of the optimized scan map strategy, which requires the use of maximum likelihood mapmakers such as MADmap.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Physics and Astronomy
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy Q Science > QC Physics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	instrumentation: photometers; methods: observational; submillimetre
Additional Information:	Pdf uploaded in accordance with publisher's policy at http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/0035-8711/ (accessed 20/02/2014).
Publisher:	Royal Astronomical Society
ISSN:	0035-8711
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	04 May 2023 18:19
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/7401

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