SALT science data is supplied to PIs as OGIP-compliant FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) files. Further information on the FITS data format can be found at fits.gsfc.nasa.gov. There are a number of software packages available to reduce FITS data. We initially adopted the IRAF software to be the SALT data reduction software and have adapted the GEMINI mosaicing package to the requirements of SALTICAM and RSS data. The goal of the SALT IRAF package is to clean and convert raw FITS data into a simple image form where standard tools can then be used to perform astrometry, photometry and spectroscopy.

While adequate for most purposes, the IRAF tools are cumbersome when dealing with large amounts of data such as those produced by Frame Transfer and Slot modes. Consequently we have developed a suite of PyRAF tools for dealing with large bodies of data more efficiently. PyRAF was created at STScI and is based on the python scripting language. PyRAF users will find a similar but more flexible environment to the IRAF cl, with an improvement in speed and performance.  PySALT, the PyRAF SALT software package, is still developing, but has already replaced much of the functionality of the IRAF tools with better performing software.   We suggest using the PySALT package for most of your data reduction needs, but we do supply the older SALT IRAF code as it is still needed for spectroscopic reductions.

The SALT IRAF  packages have been tested on the following platforms:

• SuSE v9.3/10.0
• Redhat v7.2/8.0
• Mac OS v10.4 (Tiger)

The SALT data reduction package is available as a gzipped tarball.

Installation instructions are provided in the tarball in the file salt/salt.readme. They can also be accessed here for your convenience.

At this early stage of the project, both data and software are provided to the PI on a shared-risk basis. we hope PIs will remain patient during this development phase and enter into the spirit of the exercise by providing feedback and bug reports back to SALT via salthelp(at)saao.ac.za.