First submission -540248356 Assigned ID: 403 ----- Attempting Submission 1 (Fri Apr 05 11:46:53 GMT 2019) ----- Observations utilizing the ultraviolet capabilities of COS onboard Hubble are of unique value to the astronomy community. Spectroscopy down to 900 Angstrom with COS has enabled new science areas. However, contrary to the situation at longer wavelengths, these observations are limited by the detector background noise. Currently the standard COS pipeline is not optimized for the background subtraction and the full scientific value of many datasets is not exploited. We propose to develop a dedicated pipeline to perform an optimal background correction based on statistical methods relying on the characterization of the dark rate of the COS FUV detector. We will develop, test and deliver software suitable for all COS Far UV (FUV) observations irrespective of their mode, with particular emphasis on data limited by Poisson noise. The principal investigator Dr. Hernandez is an expert on COS observations having previously served as a Research and Instrument Analyst for the COS instrument team for three years. Her expertise, reflected in her leadership and/or collaboration in at least 11 scientific articles in the last five years, expands from data reduction to scientific projects relying primarily on COS data. One of the areas of expertise of Dr. Igoshev lies on statistical methods including but not limited to Bayesian, maximum likelihood, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and Monte Carlo simulations. Such knowledge and experience will be critical for the development of the software proposed here. One of Dr. Aloisi's primary fields of technical expertise is in UV spectroscopy with space-based telescopes. For years she led the COS+STIS Team, acquiring knowledge on the strengths and weaknesses of the spectrographs. Dr. Sahnow is a member of the COS Team where he has spent much of his time calibrating and improving the monitoring and strategies for maintaining the COS detectors. Dr. Sahnow's knowledge of the COS FUV microchannel plate detector, specifically his knowledge of the COS dark rate, is essential for achieving the goals stated in this project. Galaxies and the IGM 0 Regular true false true false false SUPPORTED