Mock Observations for the CSST Mission: Multi-Channel Imager--Instrument Simulation

Zhao-Jun Yan; Huan-Yuan Shan; Zhen-Ya Zheng; Xi-Yan Peng; Zhao-Xiang Qi; Chun Xu; Lin Lin; Xin-Rong Wen; Chun-Yan Jiang; Li-Xin Zheng; Jing Zhong; Fang-Ting Yuan; Zhen-Lei Chen; Wei Chen; Mao-Chun Wu; Zhen-Sen Fu; Ke-Xin Li; Lin Nie; Chao Liu; Nan Li; Qiao Wang; Zi-Huang Cao; Shuai Feng; Guo-Liang Li; Lei Wang; Cheng-Liang Wei; Xiao-Bo Li; Zhang Ban; Xun Yang; Yu-Xi Jiang; De-Zi Liu; Yong-He Chen; Xiao-Hua Liu; Fang Xu; Xue Cheng; Yue Su; Tong-Fang Duan; Chao Qi; Na Li; Geng Zheng; Chong Ma; Jing Tang; Ran Li

arXiv · 2511.12481

Mock Observations for the CSST Mission: Multi-Channel Imager--Instrument Simulation

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Abstract

The Chinese Space Station Survey Telescope (CSST), a two-meter aperture astronomical space telescope under China's manned space program, is equipped with multiple back-end scientific instruments. As an astronomical precision measurement module of the CSST, the Multi-Channel Imager (MCI) can cover a wide wavelength range from ultraviolet to near-infrared with three-color simultaneous high-precision photometry and imaging, which meets the scientific requirements for various fields. The diverse scientific objectives of MCI require not only a robust airborne platform, advanced optical systems, and observing facilities but also comprehensive software support for scientific operations and research. To this end, it is essential to develop realistic observational simulation software to thoroughly evaluate the MCI data stream and provide calibration tools for future scientific investigations. The MCI instrument simulation software will serve as a foundation for the development of the MCI data processing pipeline and will facilitate improvements in both hardware and software, as well as in the observational operation strategy, in alignment with the mission's scientific goals. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive overview of the MCI instrument simulation and some corresponding performances of the MCI data processing pipeline.

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Zhao-Jun Yan, Huan-Yuan Shan, Zhen-Ya Zheng, Xi-Yan Peng, Zhao-Xiang Qi, Chun Xu, Lin Lin, Xin-Rong Wen, Chun-Yan Jiang, Li-Xin Zheng, Jing Zhong, Fang-Ting Yuan, Zhen-Lei Chen, Wei Chen, Mao-Chun Wu, Zhen-Sen Fu, Ke-Xin Li, Lin Nie, Chao Liu, Nan Li, Qiao Wang, Zi-Huang Cao, Shuai Feng, Guo-Liang Li, Lei Wang, Cheng-Liang Wei, Xiao-Bo Li, Zhang Ban, Xun Yang, Yu-Xi Jiang, De-Zi Liu, Yong-He Chen, Xiao-Hua Liu, Fang Xu, Xue Cheng, Yue Su, Tong-Fang Duan, Chao Qi, Na Li, Geng Zheng, Chong Ma, Jing Tang, Ran Li. 2025-11-16. Mock Observations for the CSST Mission: Multi-Channel Imager--Instrument Simulation. https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.12481

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