Craig S. Anderson

Chandra multiwavelength project: normal galaxies at intermediate redshift

We investigate Chandra extragalactic sources, including galaxies with narrow emission line (NELG) and absorption line galaxies (ALG), but excluding broad emission line AGNs and quasars. Based on f_{X}/f_{O}, L_{X}, X-ray spectral hardness and optical emission line diagnostics, we have conservatively classified normal galaxies. With our ChaMP galaxy sample (extended to include 6 years of Chandra data) and additional normal galaxies found in other X-ray surveys, we discuss their L_{X}/L_{B} evolution, log(N)-log(S) relationship, off-nucleus ULXs, XBONGs, and E+A galaxies.

STATISTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHANDRA SOURCE CATALOG

The first release of the Chandra Source Catalog (CSC) contains ~95,000 X-ray sources in a total area of 0.75% of the entire sky, using data from ~3900 separate ACIS observations of a multitude of different types of X-ray sources. In order to maximize the scientific benefit of such a large, heterogeneous data set, careful characterization of the statistical properties of the catalog, i.e., completeness, sensitivity, false source rate, and accuracy of source properties, is required. Characterization efforts of other large Chandra catalogs, such as the ChaMP Point Source Catalog or the 2 Mega-second Deep Field Surveys, while informative, cannot serve this purpose, since the CSC analysis procedures are significantly different and the range of allowable data is much less restrictive. We describe here the characterization process for the CSC. This process includes both a comparison of real CSC results with those of other, deeper Chandra catalogs of the same targets and extensive simulations of blank-sky and point-source populations.

Chandra data processing: lessons learned and challenges met

Six years into the mission, Chandra data processing operations has reached a stage of maturity that allows nearly complete automation as well as dynamic flexibility to accommodate future changes in mission and instrument status and constraints. We present a summary of the procedural and technical solutions that have been developed since the launch of Chandra to meet unanticipated challenges in the area of data processing. Lessons learned concerning data processing are discussed, including an explanation of the source of each problem and the Chandra teams response to the problem. Potential pitfalls that might affect future projects are also included. The user interface, data quality screening, and quicklook software developed specifically to address issues identified after launch have proved valuable in meeting the goals of low-cost, efficient, and flexible mission operations for the Chandra mission and can provide insight for future mission designs.