KSTprocessed

KSTprocessed is a term that refers to data that has undergone processing within the Kepler Science Operations Center (KSOC). The KSOC is responsible for handling the data collected by the Kepler space telescope, a NASA mission designed to discover exoplanets. This processing involves a series of automated steps to clean, calibrate, and prepare the raw data for scientific analysis.

The initial stages of KSTprocessed data typically involve removing instrumental artifacts, correcting for detector noise, and accounting for variations in the telescope's pointing. This ensures that the extracted light curves, which measure the brightness of stars over time, are as accurate as possible. These light curves are crucial for identifying potential exoplanet transits, which are dips in a star's brightness caused by a planet passing in front of it.

Further processing steps might include flux calibration, where the measured brightness is converted into a standardized unit, and the application of various algorithms to flag or remove problematic data points. The goal of KSTprocessed data is to provide scientists with a reliable and interpretable dataset, minimizing the effort required for individual researchers to perform these fundamental data reduction tasks. Ultimately, KSTprocessed data forms the foundation for exoplanet discovery and characterization efforts utilizing the Kepler mission's extensive observations.