Chandra Announcement: CIAO 4.17, Sherpa 4.17, CALDB 4.11.6, SAOImageDS9 8.6, MARX 5.5.3 released
Tara Gokas
Chandra Announcement: CIAO 4.17, Sherpa 4.17, CALDB 4.11.6, SAOImageDS9 8.6, MARX 5.5.3 released
The Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) is pleased to announce the release of the following software versions:
CIAO 4.17 (Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations)
Sherpa 4.17 (CIAO Modeling and Fitting Application)
CALDB 4.11.6 (Chandra Calibration Database)
SAOImageDS9 v8.6 (Astronomical Imaging and Visualization Application)
MARX 5.5.3 (Chandra On-Orbit Performance Simulator)
These are available to download from:
Sherpa: Sherpa Standalone Page
SAOImageDS9: DS9 Standalone Page
MARX: MARX Standalone Page
CIAO 4.17 HIGHLIGHTS
Platform Support:
macOS 12 (Monterey) through macOS 15 (Sequoia) for Intel/x86 and ARM (Apple Silicon).
Linux 64-bit (built on RedHat Enterprise 8; tested on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS).
More information on the Platform Support Page.
Notable Updates:
SAOImageDS9: Version 8.6 is included with CIAO 4.17.
Python 3.11 Support: CIAO 4.17 is compatible only with Python 3.11.
Installation: Available via conda (manual) or the updated ciao-install script.
Multi-Mission Support: Enhanced support for NuSTAR datasets.
New Tools and Bug Fixes:
collect_chandra_dois: Quickly generates a list of DOIs from files and directories.
dmcopy: Resolved a bug with opt=all that could corrupt Good Time Intervals (GTIs).
Improved Precision: Tools like csmooth and aconvolve now use double-precision FFT, enhancing numeric accuracy in high-dynamic range images.
![[New]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcgULPnYQuDnZnY4Fc7pxshDhfeu9jUtyNTyiR7aN3th6T4YeuxP7kStDx9wZ2h35jYcv1ei1TIv-FnxwaA5GPthwXejjL0X9hiNit8UNDlFAbQTYpx7Qc898y7Ewm9YiIOuBrTdg?key=ryhEk3hutODLeaL5d0TwRoVe){kind=small}
CONTRIBUTED SCRIPTS UPDATES
fine_astro: Automates fine astrometric registration for Chandra datasets.
patch_hrc_ssc: Detects HRC secondary science corruption events causing artificial drops in dead time factors.
mkrprm: Computes an approximate aperture correction for radial profiles; the
sherpa_contrib.matrix_model can be used to include this aperture correction when fitting the radial profile in sherpa.Convert_xspec_user_model: Updated for sherpa 4.17 with improved compatibility and meson-python build backend.
![[New]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeKK5_4bYGdj7lr0x-8b3jaI489bsNbd3G9OUgqtbpBExeQptEv9hk-b6Ht7vVNmH5E_rYsqvNlkqnuJS8g-N5Z-BJl8tItDQKj6u2ywur-_Duy3Lf_PVmFjGwYYcDgKAliYPTBtQ?key=ryhEk3hutODLeaL5d0TwRoVe){kind=small}
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![[New]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXe4x220_rboW-jjz9hJ3JFfm0mZMmotWdQ1k3M96WejOW1bi-O9wmRI-gETMVMVtMfc2lotfbgZCNzIM6GPp3UsCRs3FIDJg603I0z3hWIg-IROX-86aFZJShJ61T-LESBv7BYrsg?key=ryhEk3hutODLeaL5d0TwRoVe){kind=small}
Read the Analysis Scripts release notes for full details.
SHERPA UPDATES
Sherpa in CIAO 4.17 incorporates changes and bug fixes in standalone versions Sherpa 4.16.1 and Sherpa 4.17.0 including:
XSPEC Models: Updated to version 12.14.0k, adding 50 new models.
Plotting Enhancements: Improved plotting code and fixes.
Parameter Linking: Better handling of model fitting with linked parameters.
1D Data: Enhanced support for asymmetric error handling.
More details can be found on the Sherpa Latest Updates page.
Sherpa is also available as a standalone system from the Sherpa GitHub repository or the standalone Sherpa page.
CALDB 4.11.6
Chandra Calibration Database (CALDB) 4.11.6 includes:
HRC-I time-dependent QE file set (vN0016): 40 new files, final file effective 2024-09-20 (new HV setting for HRC-I).
PCAD ACA-P DARK_CURR file updates: 3 new files (Standard Processing only).
Proposal Cycle 27 PIMMS Effective Areas: For proposal planning only; not for use in CIAO.
Notes
CALDB 4.11.6 is only compatible with CIAO 4.16 or later versions.
To understand if this CALDB upgrade affects your current analysis, check: "How CALDB 4.11.6 Affects Your Analysis."
SAOImageDS9 v8.6
SAOImageDS9 8.6 is included with CIAO 4.17 and also available as a standalone application. Key features include:
HSV and HLS Color Frames: Similar to RGB frames; see the Creating Energy Hue Maps thread for examples.
Improved SAMP Hub: New options to disable automatic connection or startup of the SAMP hub.
Compressed Images: Better support for nD image cubes.
![[New]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXflAspaL7L7pVfzG-KSBbwocEt7OSeVaFsPkk1F_axdVp5VzR013-AK08V7kNZBmFzmqfhaDrCnXNhw-z53F5uc4Ody4Y2tlbLfIrHH5SgCJso3pcJdreGhbiT7Xec51mT3EO121Q?key=ryhEk3hutODLeaL5d0TwRoVe){kind=small}
For a complete list of changes see the SAOImageDS9 version 8.6 Release Notes.
MARX 5.5.3
MARX 5.5.3 is identical to the version that was included in CIAO 4.16.
As always, please send questions and requests for enhancements to the CXC Helpdesk.
CIAO, CALDB, and SAOImageDS9 are a collaborative effort between the SAO/CXC Science Data Systems group, the SAO/CXC Data System Division, and MIT/CXC personnel. MARX is developed and maintained by the MIT/CXC/HETG group.