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arXiv · 2604.24247

The data analysis pipeline for the Microchannel X-ray Telescope on board the SVOM mission

Abstract

The Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) mission was launched in June 2024. It is a joint Sino-French collaboration designed to detect, localize, and study gammaray bursts (GRBs) and other high-energy transients. Among its onboard instruments, the Microchannel Xray Telescope (MXT) plays a central role by providing follow-up X-ray observations of GRB afterglows and other transient phenomena. To ensure timely and accurate scientific exploitation of MXT observations, a dedicated ground processing pipeline has been developed. This pipeline automatically ingests raw event lists, performs calibration, background and time filtering, corrects instrumental effects, and produces science-ready data products such as images and light curves and spectra of detected sources. In this paper, we describe the architecture and key components of the MXT data analysis pipeline, highlighting its modular design and integration within the broader SVOM ground segment. We also show results from real datasets, demonstrating the pipeline's ability to meet the performance requirements of the mission.

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P. Maggi, L. Michel, D. Gotz, S. Crepaldi, A. Fort, L. Kleiver, A. Lorang, K. Mercier, M. Moita, P. Guillout, C. Motch, F. Robinet, A. Sauvageon. 2026-04-27. The data analysis pipeline for the Microchannel X-ray Telescope on board the SVOM mission. https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.24247

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