Software and Tools for Exoplanets and Planetary Science
We develop a wide range of software and simulations tools that are made available to the exoplanet and planetary science community, offering cutting-edge research opportunities.
Exoplanet Characterization Toolkit
ExoCTK (the Exoplanet Characterization Tool Kit) is an open-source, modular, data analysis software package focused primarily on atmospheric characterization of exoplanets and observation planning. This web application runs the most recent available version of ExoCTK through this web portal designed to single out the most useful tools for observation planning, forward modeling, data reduction, limb darkening, light curve fitting, and retrievals.
PandExo
PandExo was written using the core capabilities of STScI's Pandeia (Pandeia + Exoplanets = PandExo). The front end of Pandexo is designed specifically for exoplanet transit studies. You might ask: what's the difference between running Pandeia and PandExo? Pandeia requires that you know the number of groups, frames, and integrations. It also only takes in as input a stellar SED. PandExo takes in a stellar SED, a planet spectrum, and the transit duration and provides, as output, the error obtained on your spectrum.
Python Library for Direct Imaging of Exoplanets and Disks (pyKLIP)
pyKLIP is a python library for direct imaging of exoplanets and disks. It uses an implementation of KLIP and KLIP-FM to perform point spread function (PSF) subtraction. KLIP is based on principal component analysis to model and subtracts the stellar PSF to look for faint exoplanets and disks.
LUVOIR performance simulations and visualization tools
Performance simulations and visualization tools for the LUVOIR mission, a future ultraviolet/optical/near-infrared observatory concept.
Astropy
STScI staff are core contributors to Astropy. The Astropy Project is a community effort to develop a common core package for Astronomy in Python and foster an ecosystem of interoperable astronomy packages.