Visit image

Individual processed and calibrated sky images.

Citation: NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory (2025); Legacy Survey of Space and Time Data Preview 1: visit_image dataset type DOI Logo https://doi.org/10.71929/rubin/2570311

Access

The visit images are accessible via the Butler, SIA, and TAP services.

Butler

  • Dataset type: (‘visit_image’, {band, instrument, day_obs, detector, physical_filter, visit}, ExposureF)

  • Format: FITS

  • Number of Butler datasets: 15,972

SIA and TAP

Schema: ObsCore table

IVOA calibration level: 2

Dataproduct subtype: lsst.visit_image

Description

Raw images from the camera undergo processing that includes instrument signature removal (ISR), image calibration (photometric and astrometric), and PSF estimation. The result is a fully calibrated visit image.

Each individual visit image contains data from one of the camera’s detectors.

Processing

The visit images are the result of Image calibration.

Pixel data

The visit images have three planes of pixel data.

Image: Sky pixel data in flux units of nJy.

Variance: Uncertainty (noise) in the flux in units of nJy^2.

Mask: An integer bitmask of representative flag values that indicate processing status or issues, similar to the SDSS bitmasks.

Metadata

The metadata for visit images retrieved from the Butler include information about the observation (e.g., pointing, weather), and the derived PSF, photometric calibration, and WCS.

Tutorials

See the 200-level notebook or 200-level portal tutorials demonstrating how to access the visit images.