The document is intended for astronomers who want to reduce ISAAC data. It describes the various data formats delivered by ISAAC, observational scenarios and reduction procedures. This document concentrates on the methodology rather than individual routines that are available in either IRAF or MIDAS. However, from time to time, we will mention some routines that the authors have found useful.
The document describes the algorithms implemented in the eclipse data reduction package. The eclipse package is an integral part of the ISAAC pipeline, which produces calibration products, quality control information and reduced data.
The pipeline does produce reduced data; however, this is not meant to replace more general reduction packages such as IRAF, MIDAS or IDL. The pipeline does not replace interactive analysis and cannot make educated choices. Thus, the data that the ISAAC pipeline produces should be considered as a way of quickly assessing the quality of the data (a quick look if you like) or a first pass at the reduction of the data.
Throughout this document we will list the eclipse routines that are used to reduce ISAAC data and we will give a short description of how they can be used. We will also list the shortcomings these routines have, so that users can decide if they need to reduce their data more carefully. For completeness, we have also included a description of the eclipse routines whose primary aim is to provide quality control information. These routines are probably of little interest to astronomers.
This document does not describe the ISAAC instrument, its modes of operations, how to acquire data, the offered templates, or the various issues attached to Phase II Proposal Preparation. The reader is assumed to have read the ISAAC User's Manual beforehand, and have a basic knowledge of infrared data reduction in imaging and spectroscopy.
This document is a living document, and as such follows the evolution of the recipes, the implementation of new algorithms, enhancements, new supported modes, etc. Anything related here has to be understood to be valid at the date of writing.