Overview

XIMAGE is a multi-mission X-ray image display and analysis program. It is designed to be instrument independent and to support the analysis of data from any X-ray imaging detector provided that the proper calibration files are available. Currently XIMAGE supports the detailed analysis of EXOSAT CMA, Einstein HRI and IPC, ROSAT PSPC and HRI, and ASCA GIS and SIS data. It also supports some basic analysis of optical, infrared and radio images. XIMAGE has a built in data simulation program that can simulate images of current and future X-ray missions (e.g. SAX, AXAF and XMM).

The following functions are provided:

• reading in of images and event files
• image rebining, smoothing, and display
• source detect, and statistical analysis
• source removal
• correction for vignetting, exposure, background and point spread function
• image mosaics
• contour plots and overlays
• sky grids and pixel-coordinate conversions
• changing equinox
• x/y image slices
• generation of a point spread function
• circular, annular and box region selection
• an interface to saoimage
• extraction of spectra and lightcurves from event data
• image simulation

While XIMAGE is a multimission package, it must first ``know" about the calibration information associated with a mission in order to be able to make a detailed image analysis. Some XIMAGE functions are mission independent (e.g. display), but others are not (e.g. source detect). XIMAGE will read in images from an unknown mission, but the user should beware trying to make a detailed analysis. A warning will be issued if the mission is unknown. A list of known missions can be obtained by giving the command show detectors. Adding new missions usually requires either adding new files and/or adding new calls and relinking XIMAGE.