Data Analysis (Post-BCD Software)

Welcome to the Spitzer Data Analysis pages

Here you will find all of the documentation and software for use with the Basic Calibrated Data (BCDs) you obtain from Spitzer. This suite of software is also known as the "Post-BCD" software, but much of it can be used with more than just Spitzer data. The information required to reduce and analyze Spitzer data is organized according to instrument, and includes a description of the data products, data caveats, calibration files, links to the reduction sofware and user guides, and example input parameter files:

What's New?

• (05.12.09) SPICE update (v2.2.0) released - required for S18.7 data. The latest update to SPICE incorporates new wavelength and flux calibration files, and new CDF files for the S18.7-processed data. SPICE also contains several new and improved visualization options. The update is necessary for anyone wishing to extract data processed with the S18.7 pipeline, which will shortly be the main product available from the archive. The primary change is to the wavsamp.tbl files for LL, SH, and LH, implementing improved wavelength calibration solutions, but see the IRS Pipeline History Log for more information. The visualization tools within the SPICE GUI now include a number of new options, including off-target source selection and overlaying the IRS slit position. Users can now also overlay spectra and line lists from file. See the SPICE User's Guide for a full description of the new Overlay capabilities.


• (04.07.09) DARK_SETTLE software released. DARK_SETTLE mitigates spatial/temporal variations in the dark-current in IRS Long High (LH) data. These variations can exhibit as "bowing" of spectral orders, which results in mismatches between orders and non-physical tilts. See the IRS Features page for an example of this effect. DARK_SETTLE is now available for download, and we have released a new recipe to give users a step-by-step guide to its use.


• (01.16.09) Update to MOPEX (v18.2.2) to fix a bug in the input to Overlap that was preventing users from using their own FIF.tbl as input. No other changes.


• Previous news items

Quick Links

• New Users start here
• Instructions on downloading and installing the software
• Data Reduction and Analysis Cookbooks
• MOPEX Online Manual

How to get help / report bugs

For general Spitzer help or for assistance with SSC Supported Software, check the FAQ pages or email the Spitzer Helpdesk. We endeavor to answer all questions within 1-2 days, but during busy times it may take up to 5 days to get back to you.

To report a bug in SSC Supported Software, please email the Spitzer Helpdesk. Please include the platform you are running (e.g. Linux RedHat/Mac OSX/Solaris), the AOR Key if you are reducing Spitzer data, a description of what you were doing at the time and the error message that was displayed (if any). If you are using a GUI version of our software, please also include the most recent log file, found in your ~/.spot directory.

For all problems/bug reports regarding Contributed Software, please email the appropriate developers, listed on the Contributed Software page.