Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Fermitools: Cicerone

The documentation for the Fermitools consists of four components:

  • A software installation guide.
  • A series of analysis threads that walk the user through some standard analyses.
  • A reference manual that provides a succinct description of all the parameters for each tool. This manual will be useful for experienced users.
  • This manual, or 'cicerone,' whose purpose is to provide greater insight into the use of the tools and the data analysis techniques behind them.

The Fermitools Cicerone consists of the following sections:

  1. Introduction to Fermi
  2. Use of the Analysis Threads
  3. Data
  4. Software
  5. LAT Response Functions
  6. Data Exploration
  7. Likelihood Analysis
  8. Gamma-Ray Burst Analysis
  9. Pulsar Analysis
  10. Observation Simulation
  11. Bad Time Intervals (BTIs)
  12. Glossary

Cicerone means 'a person who conducts sightseers; guide', and was apparently first applied to learned antiquarians who would show people around the ancient monuments of Italy.

The word is taken from the name of Cicero (full name, Marcus Tullius Cicero; sometimes he is called "Tully"), the Roman orator and statesman. The reference is that the guide is thought of as having the eloquence or learning of Cicero...

The word cicerone is taken from Italian, which in turn borrows from Latin; the -n- comes from Ciceron-, the Latin stem of Cicero. It is first found in English in the early eighteenth century.

—From the Random House Mavens' Word of the Day.

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