The MATPHOT algorithm for digital point spread function CCD stellar photometry

Kenneth J. Mighell

doi:10.1117/12.460444

19 December 2002 MATPHOT algorithm for digital point spread function CCD stellar photometry

Kenneth J. Mighell

Proceedings Volume 4847, Astronomical Data Analysis II; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460444
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

The MATPHOT algorithm for digital Point Spread Function (PSF) CCD stellar photometry is described. A theoretical photometric and astrometric performance model is presented for PSF-fitting stellar photometry. MATPHOT uses a digital representation of the sampled PSF consisting of a numerical table (e.g., a matrix or a FITS image) instead of an analytical function. MATPHOT achieves accurate stellar photometry with under-sampled CCD observations with super-sampled PSFs. MATPHOT currently locates a PSF within the observational model using a 21-pixel-wide damped sinc interpolation function. Position partial derivatives of the observational model are determined using numerical differentiation techniques. Results of MATPHOT-based design studies of the optical performance of the Next Generation Space Telescope are presented; observations of bright stars analyzed with the MATPHOT algorithm can yield millimag photometric errors with millipixel relative astrometric errors -- or better -- if observed with a perfect detector. Plans for the future development of a parallel-processing version of the MATPHOT algorithm using Beowulf clusters are described. All of the C source code and documentation for MATPHOT is freely available as part of the MXTOOLS package for IRAF (http://www.noao.edu/staff/mighell/mxtools). This work is supported by a grant from NASA's Office of Space Science.

Citation Download Citation

Kenneth J. Mighell "MATPHOT algorithm for digital point spread function CCD stellar photometry", Proc. SPIE 4847, Astronomical Data Analysis II, (19 December 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460444

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