3.18. Artificial data
Simulated data is useful, among
other things, to, for example test algorithms, check photometry results,
predict exposure times or optimize an observation using deconvolution
techniques.
- Tiny TIM
(http://www.stsci.edu/~krist/tinytim.html)
creates HST point spread functions. A PSF can be generated for any instrument
with any configuration, any wavelength and position. Tiny Tim runs on VAX/VMS,
UNIX and Linux
- The STSDAS (http://ra.stsci.edu/STSDAS.html)
synphot package simulates photometric data and spectra as they are observed
with the Hubble Space Telescope. Its output is used also in the exposure
time calculators that users query to determine the number of orbits needed
for their projects. Synphot can be used to estimate count rates obtained
by other telescopes by changing the components lookup tables and instrument
graph. A manual is available on-line.