Crowded-field image simulator for WSO-UV/ISSIS: first functional version developed by the Glendama team

TL;DR

This paper introduces a web-based simulator for crowded-field imaging with WSO-UV/ISSIS, aiding proposal preparation by modeling complex source fields and instrument effects.

Contribution

It presents the first functional version of an interactive tool for simulating crowded UV fields with customizable parameters for WSO-UV/ISSIS.

Findings

Simulator accurately models crowded fields with realistic PSF and noise.

User-friendly interface allows interactive source placement and parameter adjustments.

Available online for community use and proposal planning.

Abstract

We are developing a web-based interactive software to simulate crowded-field imaging with the Imaging and Slitless Spectrograph Instrument for Surveys (ISSIS) on board the future World Space Observatory - Ultraviolet (WSO-UV). This new tool is aimed to prepare WSO-UV/ISSIS proposals to observe multicomponent targets and dense fields. For a given combination of UV channel, filters and exposure time, the user creates a set of point-like and extended sources (source model). This source model produces a final image, which takes into account a pixelated field of view, a realistic conversion between physical flux and counts per second, the convolution with the expected point spread function, a sky background and noise fluctuations. The current version of the simulator is available at the Gravitational LENses and DArk MAtter (Glendama) website, and it allows users to specify all relevant parameters of each point-like or extended source, drag-and-drop sources by using a mouse or a fingertip/stylus on a touchscreen, change the frame size or the brightness scale, etc.