Software and simulation tools are being developed by various partners on the WFIRST project.
The present page lists and provides access to those software tools that were created at STScI, and/or which are being maintained on the STScI web pages. These tools are summarized in this one-page handout.
A complete repository of WFIRST-related software and simulation tools, overseen jointly by IPAC and STScI in the context of their WFIRST pre-formulation work, is maintained on IPAC's WFIRST website.
Listings of Instrument Reference Information and Current spacecraft and instrument parameters are also maintained by our project partners.
Field of View Overlay
The MAST FOV Overlay Tool is a web-service in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) that allows display of the WFIRST focal plane footprint on sky images from the DSS, SDSS, or GALEX. The tool also allows retrieval of catalog objects (e.g., GSC2, 2MASS, WISE) within specified detectors. It should be useful for various kinds of studies and observation planning, and allows users to become familiar with the WFIRST capabilities to perform surveys of wide fields.
PSF Simulation
The WebbPSF software calculates high-fidelity point-spread function (PSF) models, as summarized in this one-page handout. It was originally developed for the JWST mission, but has been extended to include WFIRST functionality as well. This provides PSFs for use in other tools and for precursor science planning.
Source Simulation and Exposure Time Calculation
The Pandeia software calculates three-dimensional (x,y,lambda) data cubes for astronomical sources and scenes (galactic or extragalactic) with a choice of spatial and spectral properties. It is under development for the JWST mission, but has been extended to include WFIRST functionality as well. The data cubes are processed through instrument models to generate simulated data, enabling for example accurate signal-to-noise ratio and exposure time calculations.
Complex Scene Simulation
The STIPS software (Space Telescope Image Product Simulator) allows calculation of simulated data for complex astronomical scenes, using instrument models and library catalogs for a range of stellar and/or galactic populations. It is under development for the JWST mission, but has been extended to include WFIRST functionality as well. STIPS can be used for creation of complex star fields with specified clustering, age, metallicity, IMF, and other properties.
Tools Server
The STScI JupyterHub tools server has WebbPSF and Pandeia pre-installed. It provides users the convenience of running calculations with these codes through a web browser. Please review the instructions to get started.