Apply Row Bias
The Apply Row Bias method is used by the Image Calibration Pipeline command to apply a pre-readout or post-readout bias correction to images. This method corrects for the bias value evaluated just before the image was readout or just after the entire image was readout from the CCD. The bias is computed as a row vector using pixels above or below the physical CCD.
Applying a Row Bias correction requires the following information to be specified on this page of the Calibration dialog:
Bias Method: Specifies how the column bias vector will be computed and/or applied to the data. This involves a Method and possibly some Properties for the method (see below).
Bias Region: Specifies which pixels are used to create the row bias vector. You can choose to specify the Range of bias rows explicitly (the picture above shows 4 rows used as an "overscan" bias region). Alternatively, you can obtain the bias region from a Keyword in the FITS image header.
Mira provides a number of alternative methods for creating the bias vector from the sample region. These options range from directly subtracting every column to fitting the mean row with a n-th order polynomial. Usually the Polynomial Fit method is employed. Each of these options involves specifying a pixel region where the bias is obtained (see the next section, below).
Polynomial Fit: Computes and applies a polynomial function of n-th order that is fit as a function of column number. The fit is made to pixels inside a specified region. Usually the Polynomial Fit method is employed because it smoothes out noise-induced irregularities between columns.
Erase Line: Subtracts a bias vector, column by column, from the entire image. This bias vector, usually called an "erase line", must have been acquired at data acquisition time and stored with the image. The erase line is stored in a particular row, usually on the end of the image in row 1.
Mean Value: Subtracts the mean value of pixels in a sampling region. This uses a single value that is not a function of column or row number.
Median Value: Subtracts the median value of pixels in a sampling region. This uses a single value that is not a function of column or row number.
The bias region defines the pixels that are used to determine the bias correction function or value. Mira offers 2 ways to specify the pixels used for determining the bias:
Keyword: This option uses a section type keyword that exists in the FITS image header. The keyword defines a rectangular region as a range of columns and rows in the form [c1:c2,r1:r2]. Usually this keyword has the name BIASSEC.
Range: This option specifies a range of rows where the bias is to be computed. All columns are included from the rows within the range. If the Erase Line method is selected, this option specifies the row that contains the bias vector (beginning at row 1).
Apply Column Bias, Create Bias Frame, Apply Bias Frame, Image Calibration, Methods tab