chanmerge 1.0.1

Automated Chandra X-ray Data Pipeline and Merger

Chanmerge

Chanmerge is a specialized Python library designed to automate the retrieval, reprocessing, and merging of Chandra X-ray Observatory data.

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Scientific Workflow

The library automates a rigorous X-ray analysis chain to ensure data consistency and reproducibility:

• Catalog Cross-Matching: Dynamically queries the chanmaster archival database using astroquery.heasarc to ensure all relevant spatial data within the user-defined search radius is captured.
• Calibration Alignment: Standardizes the reprocessing of raw event files using the chandra_repro algorithm, ensuring every observation is synchronized with the latest CALDB (Calibration Database) updates.
• Flux Synthesis: Automates the multi-step merge_obs process, including exposure map generation and aspect solution handling, to produce integrated flux images across specified energy bands.
• Automated Workspace Management: Sanitizes file structures and handles directory-level organization, mitigating the risk of manual processing errors during large-scale archival studies.

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Installation

Prerequisites

• Python 3.12+
• CIAO 4.16+ (Must be initialized in the environment)

Setup

pip install chanmerge

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Quick Start

To begin your analysis, use the following Python command:

from chanmerge import auto_merge_obs

auto_merge_obs(
    ra="13:25:27.6", 
    dec="-43:01:09", 
    radius_arcmin=15.0
)

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Author

Ahmet Sercan Kıyak
Boğaziçi University, Department of Physics

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.