Objectives

In this coming days, you will be studying a variety of X-ray sources, including X-ray binaries, cataclysmic variables and neutron-star or low mass black hole candidates. You will be learning about these systems by examining the actual data. That will mean locating the data, storing the data, analysing the data, and thinking about what the data means (in terms of your own models or standard models). After reading this tutorial, you should be able to do the following four things:

1. Use the internet to download or study information related to X-ray astronomy and astrophysics
2. Download data files from a high energy astrophysics archive, and store these files in a useful format
3. Be able to use the Linux operating system to access and organize your files, share notes and thoughts with partners and to access analysis software
4. Use the FTOOLS software package to visualize and analyse your data

We will achieve the above goals over 4 days organized as follows:

• Part 1: The Linux Operating System
• Part 2: Astrophysics on the Internet/HEASARC archive
• Part 3: Introduction to FTOOLS
• Part 4: Analysing EXOSAT and ROSAT data

This tutorial contains background material, examples, several questions, and 21 exercises indicated with an open circle. Best of luck!

-Vincent Jacobs and Terry Matilsky, Rutgers University,1999