Uniform Data Sampling: Noise Reduction & Cosmic Rays

As computers and scientific instruments become more complicated and more powerful (Moore’s Law), we can perform astronomical observations never before contemplated. As larger data volumes are acquired, as more complex instruments are designed, and as observatories are placed in distant space locations with constrained downlink capacity, the need for automated, robust image processing tools will increase. We present a robust, optimized algorithm to perform automated processing of array image data obtained with a non-destructive read-out. We present the derivation of the noise effects of this algorithm and compare alternative strategies.