First, let's produce a semi-calibrated spectrum using only the Graphical User Interface (GUI) , and using simulated data. Enter IDL so that it uses SSW and has access to the RHESSI flight data. You should see the following standard prompt in the IDL window:

IDL>

To enter the GUI, simply type the following after this prompt:

IDL> hessi

You should get a window that looks like this:

We begin by choosing the observing time interval containing the flare of interest. For this demonstration, we have chosen a flare that occurred on February 20 at 11:00 UT. The selected interval includes time before and after the flare to allow good background spectra during the flare to be obtained.

On the command bar at the top of the GUI window, pull down "File" and choose "Select Observation Time Interval"

A new window will open similar to the one shown below. It allows you to select data by date and time, by looking at RHESSI's flare list, by picking a flare by number, or by looking at the Observing Summary data and picking a time interval from the overall light curve.

We will do it by specifying the start and end times. You can type them directly into the "Start..." and "End..." windows or you can click the "Start" button and enter the following date and time in the window that opens up:

Click the "READY" button and the following should appear in the "Start" location of the Observation Time Selection Window:

You can enter the end time in the same way by pressing the "End" button or you can click on the "Duration (s)" box and edit its contents by typing "3600" over whatever is already there. You must then press the "Enter" key and the following end date and time should appear in the box next to the "End" button:

The Observation Time Interval Selection window should now look like the following:

Once the correct Start, Duration, and End dates and times appear in the respective boxes, click the "Set Obs Time and Close" box to exit back to the opening GUI window.

This page last updated: June 27, 2011