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K. J. Mighell (NOAO/KPNO)
I describe the key features of my MATPHOT algorithm for accurate and precise stellar photometry and astrometry using discrete Point Spread Functions. A discrete Point Spread Function (PSF) is a sampled version of a continuous two-dimensional PSF. The shape information about the photon scattering pattern of a discrete PSF is typically encoded using a numerical table (matrix) or a FITS image file. The MATPHOT algorithm shifts discrete PSFs within an observational model using a 21-pixel-wide damped sinc function and position partial derivatives are computed using a five-point numerical differentiation formula. The MATPHOT algorithm achieves accurate and precise stellar photometry and astrometry of undersampled CCD observations by using supersampled discrete PSFs that are sampled 2, 3, or more times more finely than the observational data. I have written a C-language computer program called MPD which is based on the current implementation of the MATPHOT algorithm; all source code and documentation for MPD and support software is freely available at the following website: http://www.noao.edu/staff/mighell/matphot . I demonstrate the use of MPD and present a detailed MATPHOT analysis of simulated James Webb Space Telescope observations which demonstrates that millipixel relative astrometry and millimag photometric accuracy is achievable with very complicated space-based discrete PSFs. This work was supported by a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Interagency Order No. S-13811-G, which was awarded by the Applied Information Systems Research (AISR) Program of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.