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A&A 370, 649-671 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010092
Maximum likelihood estimation of single X-ray point-source parameters in ROSAT data
F. G. Boese and S. DoebereinerMax-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, 85741 Garching, Germany
(Received 31 October 2000 / Accepted 9 January 2001 )
Abstract
The point source parameter estimation via Maximum Likelihood Estimation in
ROSAT data is docu men ted. The infall of X-ray photons is treated as a
Poisson process. Based on the Poisson model, the log-likelihood function for
unbinned data is derived. The adopted source and background models are
explained. In the chosen parameterization, the Maximum Likelihood equations
and their numerical solution are expounded. The performance of the method is
illustrated by an example and tests on simulated observations.
Key words: X-ray: general, space vehicles: instrumentation: detectors, techniques: image processing
Offprint request: F. G. Boese, gub@mpe.mpg.de
© ESO 2001