XMM-Newton pySAS Documentation

pySAS is the Python wrapper for XMM-Newton’s Science Analysis System (SAS).

Contents:

• Introduction
  • What is pySAS?
  • pySAS Tutuorials
  • How do I install pySAS on my own computer?
  • How do I configure pySAS on my local machine?
  • Using pySAS on Fornax, SciServer, or Datalabs
• Overview of pySAS
  • Initializing SAS and Configuring pySAS
  • The ObsID Object
  • Downloading and Calibrating Observation Data Files
  • Calling SAS Tasks
  • Default pySAS Data Directory Structure
• Technical Information for Advanced Users
  • Default Configuration and the Config File
  • Input Arguments
  • Output Logging
  • Extra Log Output from pySAS
  • pySAS v1.4 vs. v2.0
  • Calling SAS Tasks from the Command Line
• Helpful Functions for pySAS
  • Plotting
  • Filtering
• The Absolute Beginner's Guide to XMM-Newton
  • Introduction
  • XMM Instruments
  • X-ray Data
  • XMM Data
  • XMM Observations
  • Data Analysis
  • X-ray Images
  • The Reality of X-Ray Spectra
  • Timing Mode
  • RGS Spectra
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Links Used in this Guide
  • Where to get Help
• pySAS Classes and Functions
  • ObsID
  • Configure pySAS
  • MyTask Class
  • Initalize SAS Functions
  • pySAS Logging
  • Read Parameter Files
  • Parse Inputs
  • SAS Utilities
  • pySAS and SAS Version

Document last updated: 2026-07-15