Maximum Entropy imaging with INTEGRAL/SPI data

Abstract

The application of the Maximum Entropy method for sky imaging with the SPI instrument on INTEGRAL is described. While intended primarily for extended emission, point sources are also mapped by this method. The technique is implemented as the program spiskymax in the data analysis distribution provided by the INTEGRAL Science Data Centre. We briefly introduce the method, describe the particular requirements for the application to SPI, and show some example images using flight data from the early mission.