sci23003 — Announcement

Masterclass on Webb data processing

24 July 2023

-Chris Evans and Paule Sonnentrucker-

We are delighted to announce plans for a Masterclass on James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data processing, to be held at ESA’s European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), near Madrid, on 12–14 December 2023. 

The Masterclass is primarily intended for researchers from across the ESA Member States who have yet to work with JWST data or have had limited experience so far, and want to build their expertise and confidence. The aim is to provide a solid foundation in the basics of the calibration pipeline, to walk participants through examples of science-case-driven data from several of JWST’s observing modes, and to illustrate specific workarounds that can be used to optimise the outcome of particular datasets. Our goal is that those joining the Masterclass will then be better prepared to embark on the analysis of data that have already been taken (or are coming soon in Cycle 2), as well as science exploitation of new data in future cycles, and to become European ambassadors for best practices of science exploitation with JWST.

Provisional topics include:

• General introduction to the mission and its archives
• Introduction to the JWST calibration pipeline
• Imaging observations
• Time-series data
• Slit spectroscopy
• IFU spectroscopy

The Masterclass will be run by experts from the team that supports JWST Science Operations, with a mixture of presentations and hands-on exercises. The exercises will feature the most used scientific modes, which include spectroscopy and imaging from MIRI, NIRSpec and NIRCam.

Note that some preparation work will be required ahead of the Masterclass. Participants will need to install the calibration pipeline and download relevant datasets, so that everything is set up and ready for use at the start of the Masterclass. Information and material will be communicated in good time before the Masterclass, and opportunities for troubleshooting by the team will be available ahead of time.

Applications to join the Masterclass are now open here. To ensure a good balance of instructors to participants, the number of places will be limited, so please give a brief outline of your reasons to attend in your application. The closing date for applications is 31 August, and we will inform successful applicants by mid-September.

Contacts

Chris Evans
ESA/HST & ESA/JWST Project Scientist
ESA Office, STScI Baltimore, USA
Email: hubblenewseurope@stsci.edu