IRS-TR 11002: Calibration of the Acquisition Images from the Red Peak-Up Sub-Array

TL;DR

This paper details the calibration process for the Red Peak-Up sub-array on Spitzer's Infrared Spectrograph, ensuring accurate infrared measurements by analyzing responsivity and linearity based on repeated stellar observations.

Contribution

It provides a calibration method for the Red Peak-Up sub-array tied to the latest infrared calibration, and assesses linearity across pipeline versions.

Findings

No detectable deviations from linearity in the latest pipeline

Older pipeline versions show possible small non-linearities

Calibration improves the accuracy of acquisition data for infrared observations

Abstract

We present a calibration of the acquisition data obtained by the Red Peak-Up (PU) sub-array on the Infrared Spectrograph on Spitzer, based on repeated observations of three K giants. This calibration is tied directly to the most current infrared calibration based on data from Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer. An analysis of the responsivity of the Red PU sub-array reveals no detectable deviations from linearity in the most recent pipeline version, but older pipeline versions show evidence suggesting possible small non-linearities.