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Paper: A Complete and Comprehensive Sky Background Model
Volume: 485, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems XXIII
Page: 91
Authors: Jones, A. M.; Noll, S.; Kausch, W.; Kimeswenger, S.; Szyszka, C.
Abstract: In the current era of precision astronomy, a complete sky background model is crucial, especially as the telescopes become even larger in the next decade. Such a model is needed for planning observations as well as understanding and correcting the data for the sky background. We have developed a sky model for this purpose, and it is the most complete and universal sky model that we know of to date. It covers a wide range of wavelengths from 0.3 to 30 micron up to a resolution of 1,000,000 and is instrument independent. Currently it is optimized for the telescopes at Cerro Paranal and the future site Cerro Armazones in Chile. Our sky model includes several components necessary to describe the sky background flux, such as scattered moonlight and starlight, zodiacal light, airglow emission and continuum, thermal emission from the telescope and lower atmosphere, and scattering and absorption within the Earth's atmosphere. Each component was designed with the latest knowledge and results in the field and was thoroughly checked with archival ESO data. Our sky background model will be a valuable asset for astronomical observatories and the community.
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