On Paranal, the quick-look pipeline makes an effort to automatically reduce all science data. The reduction is performed using standard calibration solutions from a local calibration database which is refreshed every few months. Generally any pipeline processing on the site is done on a best-effort basis. Its purpose is to offer a quick look to assess data quality etc.

At QC Garching, SCIENCE data are pipeline-reduced (taken both in Service Mode and Visitor Mode), using the best available calibration solutions (quality-checked and closest in time, following the calibration cascade). The products of science reduction are quality-checked. If any irregularity in the reduced data is found, an attempt is made to improve on this. If not possible, information about the problem is made available in the data package. The general policy is not to suppress science data.

FORS2 INFORMATION

The FORS2 pipeline is designed to reduce raw science data.

On Paranal, the quick-look pipeline makes an attempt to automatically reduce all science data (except IPOL and HIT modes). The reduction is performed using standard calibration solutions from a local calibration database.

At QC Garching, all science data (again except IPOL and HIT) taken in Service Mode are pipeline-reduced, using the best available calibration solutions, quality-checked and closest in time, following the reduction cascade. The products of science reduction are also quality-checked. If any irregularity in the reduced data is found, an attempt is made to improve on this. If not possible, information about the poor quality is made available in the SM package. Present policy is to not suppress these data. Please note that ESO is not assuming any responsibility in respect to the usefulness of the reduced data. The adopted reduction strategy may not be suitable for the scientific purpose of the observations.

RAW SCIENCE DATA

The following types of raw science data exist for the FORS2 supported modes.

Frame Type	DPR Type	DPR Tech
SCIENCE_IMG	OBJECT	IMAGE
SCIENCE_LSS	SKY	SPECTRUM
SCIENCE_MOS	SKY	MOS
SCIENCE_PMOS	SKY	POLARIMETRY
SCIENCE_MXU	SKY	MXU

REDUCED SCIENCE DATA AND PRODUCTS

The following types of reduced data and products are produced for the FORS2 supported modes

Frame Type	Recipe	Description	Products
SCIENCE_IMG	fors_img_science	reduce single images	reduced image
SCIENCE_LSS SCIENCE_MOS SCIENE_MXU	fors_science	reduce single exposures and apply wavelength calibration	extracted, sky-subtracted spectra, corrected for distortions
SCIENCE_PMOS	fors_pmos_science	reduce multiple exposures and apply wavelength calibration and determine polarimetric parameters	extracted, sky-subtracted spectra, corrected for distortions, polarimtreic parameters

REDUCTION CASCADE

All science products created by QC Garching follow the reduction cascade.

NAMING SCHEME

After production and certification, the calibration products are renamed after a scheme which includes type, OB ID, creation date and relevant FORS2 settings.