Workshop Objectives
-Introduce scientists to X-ray astronomy and multi-wavelength opportunities.
-Develop knowledge of the XMM-Newton, Chandra and Suzaku data archives.
-Train scientists in the techniques required to access and analyse data from the X-ray archives.
-Introduce scientists to X-ray instrumentation applicable to already operating and future X-ray missions.
-Provide a general overview of possibilities provided by future space-based missions.
-Train scientists in the use of X-ray analysis software (specific to the three X-ray missions XMM-Newton, Chandra and Suzaku, as well as general packages like XSPEC, ISIS, Sherpa and FTOOLS)
Worshop Venue
This workshop was held in the city of San Juan, Argentina, from 7/25/2011 to 8/5/2011.
Topics
The workshop covered the practical usage of Chandra, XMM-Newton and Suzaku X-ray data analysis, reviewed the theoretical aspects of X-ray emission, e.g. radiative processes, and highlighted particular aspect of X-ray emission from clusters and groups of galaxies, AGN, CVs, X-ray binaries, neutron stars and black holes, and emission from hot plasmas.
Half of the time of the workshop was spent in practical classes led by software experts from NASA, ESA and JAXA; participants learned how to set up and use the appropriate software systems and carried out a short project. The rest of the time was spent in lectures devoted to data processing, statistics and the topics in X-ray astronomy mentioned above. The working language of the workshop was English.
Programme
-Galactic sources - X-ray binaries, CVs, neutron stars, black holes, young stars
-X-ray emission from hot plasmas
-Galaxy clusters and groups
-Galaxies
-AGN
-Instruments on board XMM-Newton, Chandra and Suzaku
-Data reduction and analysis of X-ray data, including specific software related to the three missions
These topics were connected, as far as possible, to work in other wavelengths to match the expected background of many of the participants. The computer classes were conducted by software experts from NASA, ESA and JAXA and covered all aspects of the software from setting up the systems and familiarisation with their usage to practical hands-on sessions. The data processing and statistics lectures included some topics -- fitting techniques, basic time series analysis and statistics— which were probably familiar to most participants, in the sense that they had encountered them at some point in the past. Hence the objective of time series and statistics lectures was to recapitulate the basics briefly and link them to the software tools available under CIAO, Xanadu and SAS. Other topics, such as X-ray spectrum determination, that might be less familiar, were covered more extensively.
Lecturers
-Carlos Gabriel, ESA, Spain - Coordinator: talk 1, talk 2
-Keith Arnaud, CRESST, NASA, USA: talk 1, talk 2, talk 3
-Nancy Brickhouse, SAO/CfA, USA: talk 1, talk 2, talk 3, talk 4
-Matteo Guainazzi, ESA, Spain: talk 1, talk 2
-Javier Lopez-Santiago, UCM, Spain: talk 1
-Gerardo Juan Manuel Luna, SAO/CfA & ICATE/Conicet, USA/Argentina: talk 1
-Mariano Mendez, Univ. of Groningen, The Netherlands: talk 1, talk 2
-Koji Mukai, GSFC/NASA, USA: talk 1, talk 2, talk 3, talk 4
-Ignazio Pillitteri, SAO/CfA, USA: talk 1
-Randall Smith, SAO/CfA, USA: talk 1, talk 2, talk 3
-Peter Willmore, Univ. of Birmingham, UK: talk 1, talk 2
Data analysis & project support
Facundo Albacete Colombo, Univ. del Comahue, Argentina
Jorge Ariel Combi, IAR, Argentina
Raimundo Lopes de Oliveira, IFSC/USP, Brazil
Target Participants
PhD students from developing countries in the Latin-american region. Applications from post-docs and young faculty members showing proven interest to moving into X-ray astronomy, with emphasis on multi-wavelength opportunities, will also be welcome.
Selection of Participants:
Applicants will be required to provide a CV, two letter of recommendation, a one-page account of the way that attendance at this workshop would benefit your future research together with a proposal for a project that you would like to undertake during the workshop and a list of publications (if you are student and have published, you should also provide this list). Lodging and meals are covered by the sponsors for all attendants. It would be possible to provide financial help for travel for those requesting it.
Details about the registration process and request for financial support can be downloaded from the links provided in the left column. Questions should be addressed to :
cospar-sj-2011-ws@sciops.esa.int
The deadline for registration is February 20, 2011. For those applicants requesting financial support, the deadline is February 10, 2011.
SOC members
-Prof. Mariano Mendez, University of Groningen, the Netherlands - COSPAR (Chair)
-Prof. Franz Bauer, PUC, Santiago, Chile
-Prof. Joao Braga, INPE, Brazil
-Prof. Ian Corbett, IAU, France
-Prof. Renato Dupke, ON, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
-Dr. Carlos Gabriel, ESAC, ESA, Spain - COSPAR (Co-Chair)
-Prof. Diego Garcia Lambas, UNC, Córdoba, Argentina
-Dr. Neil Gehrels, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, USA
-Dr. Hans Haubold, UN/OOSA
-Dr. Martin Kessler, ESAC, ESA, Spain
-Dr. Robert Missotten, UNESCO
-Prof. Hugo Levato, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
-Prof. Gastão Lima Neto - IAG, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
-Prof. Marcos Machado, CNIE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
-Dr. Koji Mukai, GSFC, NASA, USA
-Dr. Dany Page, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
-Dr. Randall Smith, SAO, USA
-Dr. Harvey Tananbaum, SAO, USA
-Prof. Peter Willmore, University of Birmingham, UK - COSPAR
LOC members
-Prof. Hugo Levato, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina, Chair
-Dr. Gerardo Juan Manuel Luna, SAO/USA and ICATE/Argentina, Co-Chair
-Dr. Facundo Albacete Colombo, Univ. del Comahue, Argentina
-Dr. Georgina Coldwell, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
-Dr. Jorge Ariel Combi, IAR, Argentina
-Dr. Mónica Grosso, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
-Dr. Raimundo Lopes de Oliveira, IFSC/USP, Brazil
-Dr. Stella Malaroda, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
-Lic. Natalia Maza, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
-Lic. Natalia Nuñez, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
-Ana Mejivas, ICATE, San Juan, Argentina
