Guide for IRAF users¶
PySpecKit is similar in intent and implementation to IRAF’s splot routine. IRAF users will probably want to do most of their data reduction (i.e., turning an image/cube into a 1D wavelength-calibrated spectrum) in IRAF, but will be comfortable fitting lines and making publication-quality plots using PySpecKit.
Loading a Spectrum¶
If you have an IRAF spectrum, it is straightforward to load into PySpecKit:
sp = pyspeckit.Spectrum('iraf_spectrum.ms.fits')
sp.plotter()
Fitting Line Profiles¶
Note
See A guide to interactive fitting for a comprehensive graphical demonstration of these instructions.
In IRAF, a line profile is fitted using k to start the fitter, then k, l, or v to perform the fit.
In PySpecKit, the continuum (baseline) and line profile are determined separately.
Instead of using a key twice to specify the continuum level, a continuum must be fitted from the data. This is done by pressing b to turn on the baseline fitter. Click or press 1 to select baseline regions - they will be highlighted in green. Press 3 to fit the baseline and display it as an orange line.
In PySpecKit, the interactive fitter is started by pressing f in the plot window. After pressing f, instructions will be provided in the terminal window telling you which line profiles are implemented. Select one of these, or use a gaussian by default.
Select the line fitting region by pressing 1 on either side of the line. Select the peak and full-width-half-maximum of the line by pressing 2 at each of these locations in turn. You may repeat this cycle indefinitely to fit multiple profiles (comparable to IRAF*s deblend capability). Then, press 3 to perform the fit.
The fitted parameters can be accessed (as variables, or printed) through the
Spectrum.specfit.parinfo parameter. They will also be displayed in the plot
legend.