Jenny Carter, University of Leicester

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BGWG Blank Sky update

• Jenny Carter, University of Leicester
• Andy Read, University of Leicester

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Current status, March 2009

• Completed Action Item
• 07_01 Provide ME with list of updates for UG
  presentation
• 07_03 Draft BGSelector release note for
  XMM-Newton News
• 07_04 Add limitations of refilled files to web
  page continue investigating ghosting problem
• 07_05 scaling of exposure map/skycast advice
  added to web page
• 07_06 more descriptions in tools
• New delivery system implemented
• Live since October 2008
• User requests tailor-made blank sky file
• Files delivered a few days later via summary web
  page
• Over 60 requests for files

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Current web page

• Simpler layout, links to old page

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Web based request form
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Example delivery page
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Some facts on new delivery system use

• Total number (69)?
• Over 1.5 requests per working day in Jan
• Responding within a 3 day period generally
• Main queries/confusions
• Very small requests (all parameters exactly the
  same as users observation)?
• Very wide selection changed approach.
  Previously asked for re-submission, now make
  judgement on file/restrict size and go straight
  to delivery

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Requests per month
News 84
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
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User queries, example correspondence

• M. Ajello (using old files). Scaling question,
  discrepancy between blank sky and user
  observation at high energies. User observation
  highly SP contaminated. Query closed.
• M. Wezgowiec repeated queries. Files
  constructed, tailored to user requirements. Query
  closed.
• M. Gitti repeated queries. Required longer
  exposure than received. Tailored files. Query
  closed.
• (Other) software available, how to scale bkg,
  good feedback, asking about SW/LW

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Outstanding issues

• Ghosting bad flags in/good flags out spatially
• Add example current blank sky files to web form
  so requests not necessarily needed
• Implement some minor changes after internal user
  comments regarding web page text
• Other output to add to response page exposure
  weighted nH from list component files