A MOST open-field data reduction software and its applications to BRITE

Abstract

A data reduction pipeline specifically developed for space-based open-field photometry obtained with the MOST satellite is presented. The reduction steps include correction of cosmic ray events, identification and rejection of exposures showing distorted images due to pointing instabilities and efficient correction of stray light influences on the CCD. Considering the planned instrumentation for the BRITE mission, suggestions for an efficient data reduction based on the experiences with MOST are made. It is concluded that under the current specifications for the mission many of the developed techniques might be directly applicable for the development of a BRITE data reduction pipeline.