Introduction to the SCF
The purpose of this page is to provide the reader with an introduction
to the Spectral Correlation function and the results that have been produced.
The Spectral Correlation Function (SCF) is a data analysis algorithm
for analyzing position-position-velocity maps of the Interstellar Medium
(ISM) (see below). The SCF compares two nearby spectra in these maps and
measures the similarity between them. The similarity is expressed as a number
from 0 (completely different spectra) to 1 (identical spectra).
After converting the similarities of nearby spectra into numbers, these
numbers can hopefully be used in the following ways:
- To determine how similar the spectra are to each other throughout the
map.
- To compare the objects in the map to other objects based on how correlated
the spectra are.
- To compare physical objects in the ISM to simulations of the same.
- To evaluate how well simulations of the ISM emulate the observed ISM.
- To locate areas of high correlation and identify them with specific
features in the ISM.
- To process large data cubes with the computer and use the results to
identify regions of interest.
- To provide another way to reduce the large volume of data from radio
astronomy which specifically preserves the spatial nature of the information
in the data cube.
Would you like to know more?
Here is more detailed information on the Spectral Correlation Function.
- A detailed description of the entire SCF project in its first implementation
including background, mathematical development and techniques, interpretations
of maps and basic results is available here(PDF format). Excerpts available include:
- An introduction to the project and other approaches
intended for anyone with a basic scientific background, including brief
summaries of other approaches used to date. (PDF format)
- A mathematical overview of the basic functions
used and their derivation. This excerpt also includes a summary of the
numerical methods used in calculations on the computer and a summary of
the effects of instrumental noise on the data. (PDF
format)
- An introduction to the study of maps generated
by the SCF, including the basic interpretations worked out to date. (PDF format)
- The Velocity
Methods Home Page of Alyssa Goodman.
- An
explanation of the data available on the web is available.
- Publications
of the SCF results.
Back
to the SCF Homepage.