THELI -- Convenient reduction of any optical, near- and mid-infrared imaging data

TL;DR

THELI is a user-friendly, flexible, and automated data reduction pipeline that supports a wide range of optical and infrared imaging instruments, streamlining the process for researchers with minimal learning curve.

Contribution

It introduces THELI, a comprehensive graphical tool that unifies various algorithms and software for optical and infrared data reduction, adaptable to many instruments and user needs.

Findings

Supports over 90 instruments worldwide

Automates most reduction tasks for efficiency

Provides extensive online documentation

Abstract

The last 15 years have seen a surge of new multi-chip optical and near-IR imagers. While some of them are accompanied by specific reduction pipelines, user-friendly and generic reduction tools are uncommon. In this paper I introduce THELI, an easy-to-use graphical interface driving an end-to-end pipeline for the reduction of any optical, near-IR and mid-IR imaging data. The advantages of THELI when compared to other approaches are highlighted. Combining a multitude of processing algorithms and third party software, THELI provides researchers with a single, homogeneous tool. A short learning curve ensures quick success for new and more experienced observers alike. All tasks are largely automated, while at the same time a high level of flexibility and alternative reduction schemes ensure that widely different scientific requirements can be met. Over 90 optical and infrared instruments at observatories world-wide are pre-configured, while more can be added by the user. The online Appendices contain three walk-through examples using public data (optical, near-IR and mid-IR). Additional extensive online documentation is available for training and troubleshooting.