| Names |
Steven M. Crawford, Martin Still, Pim Schellart, Luis Balona, David A. H. Buckley, Garith Dugmore, Amanda A. S. Gulbis, Alexei Kniazev, Marissa Kotze, Nicola Loaring, Kenneth H. Nordsieck, Timothy E. Pickering, Stephen Potter, Encarni Romero Colmener |
| Abstract |
PySALT is the python/PyRAF-based data reduction and analysis pipeline
for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), a modern 10m class
telescope with a large user community consisting of 13 partner
institutions. The two first generation instruments on SALT are SALTICAM,
a wide-field imager, and the Robert Stobie Spectrograph (RSS). Along
with traditional imaging and spectroscopy modes, these instruments
provide a wide range of observing modes, including Fabry-Perot imaging,
polarimetric observations, and high-speed observations. Due to the large
user community, resources available, and unique observational modes of
SALT, the development of reduction and analysis software is key to
maximizing the scientific return of the telescope. PySALT is developed
in the Python/PyRAF environment and takes advantage of a large library
of open-source astronomical software. The goals in the development of
PySALT are: (1) Provide science quality reductions for the major
operational modes of SALT, (2) Create analysis tools for the unique
modes of SALT, and (3) Create a framework for the archiving and
distribution of SALT data. The data reduction software currently
provides support for the reduction and analysis of regular imaging,
high-speed imaging, and long slit spectroscopy with planned support for
multi-object spectroscopy, high-speed spectroscopy, Fabry-Perot imaging,
and polarimetric data sets. We will describe the development and current
status of PySALT and highlight its benefits through early scientific
results from SALT. |