Towards open and reproducible multi-instrument analysis in gamma-ray astronomy

DOI: 
10.1051/0004-6361/201834938
Publication date: 
01/05/2019
Main author: 
Nigro, C.
IAA authors: 
Ruiz, J. E.
Authors: 
Nigro, C.;Deil, C.;Zanin, R.;Hassan, T.;King, J.;Ruiz, J. E.;Saha, L.;Terrier, R.;Brügge, K.;Nöthe, M.;Bird, R.;Lin, T. T. Y.;Aleksić, J.;Boisson, C.;Contreras, J. L.;Donath, A.;Jouvin, L.;Kelley-Hoskins, N.;Khelifi, B.;Kosack, K.;Rico, J.;Sinha, A.
Journal: 
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
625
Pages: 
A10
Abstract: 
The analysis and combination of data from different gamma-ray instruments involves the use of collaboration proprietary software and case-by-case methods. The effort of defining a common data format for high-level data, namely event lists and instrument response functions (IRFs), has recently started for very-high-energy gamma-ray instruments, driven by the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). In this work we implemented this prototypical data format for a small set of MAGIC, VERITAS, FACT, and H.E.S.S. Crab nebula observations, and we analyzed them with the open-source gammapy software package. By combining data from Fermi-LAT, and from four of the currently operating imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, we produced a joint maximum likelihood fit of the Crab nebula spectrum. Aspects of the statistical errors and the evaluation of systematic uncertainty are also commented upon, along with the release format of spectral measurements. The results presented in this work are obtained using open-access on-line assets that allow for a long-term reproducibility of the results.
Database: 
ADS
SCOPUS
URL: 
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065234943&doi=10.1051%2f0004-6361%2f201834938&partnerID=40&md5=570a2e539ae7b11fba5f1e936264f9a3
ADS Bibcode: 
2019A&A...625A..10N
Keywords: 
methods: data analysis;gamma rays: general;Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena;Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics