Methods for CMB Map Analysis

Abstract There are standard tools for analyzing cosmic microwave background maps. However, several important details are not usually highlighted. Here we describe best practices for several common map-modifying procedures, including masking, downgrading resolution, convolving with beam and pixel window functions, and adding white noise. We will explore how these modifications affect the final power spectrum measured from a map. We recommend the best ways to perform each of these procedures, describe when the different steps and measures should be carried out, and show the effects of incorrectly performing or applying any of them.