Real time science displays for the PCA experiment on the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer

Abstract

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) spacecraft was launched on 30th December 1995 and contains a large Proportional Counter Array (PCA) experiment developed at GSFC. Telemetry from RXTE is returned via the NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) which, apart from specific gaps in coverage, provides a steady stream of nearly continuous real time data packets. The PCA has an area of 7000 cm 2 and produces high count rates for many x-ray sources. This provides the opportunity for some serious interpretation and decision making in real time. The display programs developed by the PCA team fall into 4 classes: Housekeeping, General performance (Instrumental and calibration bias), Spectral (Science bias) and Temporal (Science bias). These displays are used by the duty scientist and experiment controllers to monitor the observation in progress to try and ensure that the observation is proceeding as planned and that modifications to the observing modes are not required. Guest Observers (GO's) can be present in the Science Operations Facility (SOF) for their observations. The PCA team can also monitor their experiment using these programs. The SOF are planning to make some or all of these display tools available to GO's at their home institutions for the specific duration of their observations. This paper briefly describes the available display options.