Workshop: Hands-on Starfinder
Description
This hands-on course is organized as a training activity within the framework of the PNRR STILES project and aims to provide participants with both the essential theoretical background and practical training on the use of the Starfinder software, through guided exercises on real and simulated datasets.
High spatial resolution observations, in particular those obtained with Adaptive Optics (AO) systems, require analysis tools capable of handling a complex and spatially variable Point Spread Function (PSF), especially in the presence of crowded stellar fields. In this context, obtaining reliable photometric and astrometric measurements remains a significant methodological and computational challenge.
Starfinder is a software package developed for the analysis of astronomical images of crowded fields, specifically designed for cases in which the PSF cannot be adequately described by analytic models and shows significant variations across the field of view.
A new Python version with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been released recently, with the goal of making the software more accessible and suitable for analysis and training activities, in compliance with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) of Open Science.
The development and optimization of this new version are supported by the PNRR STILES – Strengthening the Italian Leadership in ELT and SKA project and by the PRIN MUR 2022 project “Women Measuring Stars: a comprehensive strategy for the exploitation of adaptive optics data”.
Course structure
The course will be divided into the following parts:
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Theoretical introduction
(basic concepts, PSF modelling, Starfinder approach, analysis workflow) -
Installation and configuration session
(software setup, environment configuration, data download) -
Practical session
Hands-on analysis of datasets provided by the organizers, with guided exercises and discussion of the results
Materials and requirements
To ensure an effective practical session, each participant is required to:
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bring a personal laptop
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have access to a stable internet connection
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be able to download the required software and datasets
All material needed for installation and exercises will be made available in the dedicated section of this page one week before the start of the course.
Duration and schedule (indicative)
The course will take place immediately after the conclusion of the STILES workshop, allowing for a short coffee break in between.
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Wednesday (afternoon): 14:30 – 18:00
Introduction + installation and configuration -
Thursday (morning): 09:00 – 12:00
Practical session on scientific data + Q&A and discussion
(The detailed programme will be communicated to registered participants.)
Target audience
The course is primarily addressed to:
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PhD students
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early-career researchers / postdocs
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researchers interested in photometry and astrometry of stellar fields, particularly using AO data
Priority will be given to younger participants (PhD students and early-career researchers).
Registration and number of participants
Registration to the workshop is required through the form available on this page.
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Maximum number of participants: 30
Participants will be selected based on order of registration and the priority criteria listed above.
Registrations will remain open until all available places are filled.
Registration fee
There is no registration fee for this course.
Participants who are INAF members or associated researchers may apply for mission expense reimbursement using PNRR STILES funds, according to the institute’s rules and procedures.
